Birds
Vasa Parrot
Coracopsis vasa · also called greater vasa parrot
A dark, almost crow-like parrot calls with a harsh rasp from the forest canopy, and come breeding season, the females go bald while competing for the attention of multiple males, a reversal of nearly every rule most parrots follow.
Overview
The vasa parrot, Coracopsis vasa, is a Least Concern bird endemic to forest habitat across Madagascar. Its unusually dark plumage, reversed mating roles, and seasonal baldness in females make it one of the most behaviourally unusual parrot species found anywhere.
Breaking the typical parrot mould
From its dark, muted colouring to its female-led mating competition and seasonal head-feather loss, the vasa parrot departs from nearly every stereotype associated with parrots, standing out as a genuine behavioural outlier within its family.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and common across suitable forest habitat throughout Madagascar.
Vasa Parrot: common questions
Why does the vasa parrot go bald during breeding season?
Females lose the feathers on their heads during the breeding season, developing a bare patch of yellowish skin, a change linked to hormonal shifts around reproduction whose exact purpose is still debated.
Why are the vasa parrot's mating roles reversed?
Females compete for access to males rather than the other way around, and a dominant female may mate with several males in a single season, an unusual reversal of the typical pattern seen in most birds.
Why does the vasa parrot look so different from other parrots?
It shows mostly dark grey-brown or blackish plumage, a striking departure from the bright colours typical of many parrot species, and also has an unusually harsh, raspy call.
Is the vasa parrot endangered?
No, it is Least Concern, remaining widespread and common across suitable forest habitat throughout Madagascar.