Incidental description of crop contents of the Mexican Parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius)

Abstract

Little is known on the ecology of the Mexican Parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius), an endemic species of western Mexico. Here, we present the first diet report for this species based on crop contents of three individuals that died following impact with a metallic structure. The individuals presented a crop full of 3,015 to 5,400 seeds from Ficus insipida. Figs are an important resource for many vertebrate species and is a food resource reported in the diet of many psittacines. Our report highlights the importance of gathering incidental information to fill knowledge-gaps for poorly known species and enable better conservation planning.

Keywords

• Bird collision
• diet
• Ficus insipida
• Psittacidae
• urban ecology