The black parrots of the red island

Parrots are best known for their colorful feathers. In the depths of Madagascar's mangrove and rainforests, however, lives the pitch black raven parrot. The little raven parrot is also small Vasa parrot (Coracopsis nigra) and reaches a body size of about 35cm. Its larger relative, the large Vasa parrot (Coracopsis Vasa-Vasa) , on the other hand, grows up to 50cm. Both species have black, sometimes dark brown or gray plumage. Since they are quite common in Madagascar, they are often kept as pets here. In the rest of the world, however, they are, because of a Export ban very rare. Only on the surrounding islands, Reunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles, they were also introduced. The raven parrot lives primarily in the forested areas in the highlands. Especially the large raven parrot, however, is also found in the thorn forest and the dry, desert-like areas in the south of the island.

With a little luck you will encounter one of these magnificent specimens during a Journey To The Land Of Thorn People in the dry south of the island. The birds reproduce mainly in the rainy season from October to January and breed in January and February. In the west they nest mainly in the treetops of the imposing Baobabs of Madagascar. Often several pairs of parrots breed on the same tree. Usually there are 3 eggs in a clutch, from which the small parrot chicks hatch after 17 days. The young raven parrots are cared for by their parents for 2 months before they leave the nest.

German: Raven Parrot, Small Vasa parrot (Coracopsis nigra) for the smaller species and Large Vasa parrot (Coracopsis vasa vasa)
English: greater Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis vasa vasa) and lesser Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis nigra)