Great-billed Parrot (Tanygnathus megalorynchos)

The brilliant green plumage and massive ruby bill of the Great-billed Parrot make it stand out among it’s parrot relatives. This medium-sized, social bird inhabits forests across a chain of islands in southeast Asia, where it’s raucous cries ring out as it feeds and flies among the trees.

Known also as the Moluccan Parrot or Island Parrot, the Great-billed Parrot (Tanygnathus megalorynchos) has a long and storied history, first gaining recognition by European scientists in the late 1700s. Since then, it’s taxonomic status has been parsed into multiple subspecies that vary in appearance and distribution across Indonesia, East Timor, and the Philippines.

Despite some decline due to trapping for the pet trade, the Great-billed Parrot remains relatively widespread and numerous in the wild. However, it’s specialized habitat requirements make conservation a priority in some areas.

In this article, we will explore the natural history, physical characteristics, breeding habits, vocalizations, conservation status, and avicultural needs of this magnificent island parrot. Getting to know the Great-billed Parrot provides a window into the diverse birdlife of Indonesia and the complexities of managing vulnerable species across scattered island chains.

History and Taxonomy

The first scientific description of the Great-billed Parrot came in 1780 from the French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. His account in Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux was based on a specimen collected from the island of New Guinea.

The species was later given it’s scientific name Psittacus megalorynchos in 1783 by the Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert. This was based on an illustration from François-Nicolas Martinet’s Planches Enluminées D’Histoire Naturelle, a collection commissioned by Buffon.

In 1832, the German zoologist Johann Wagler moved this species to it’s current genus, Tanygnathus. The name is derived from the Greek words tanyo meaning “to stretch out”, and gnathos meaning “jaw”, referring to the parrot’s large bill.

Today, eight subspecies of the Great-billed Parrot are recognized:

• T. m. megalorhynchus – Sulawesi and nearby islands to Maluku and west Papuan islands
• T. m. affinis – south Maluku Islands
• T. m. subaffinis – Tanimbar Islands, Babar Island
• T. m. hellmayri – southwest Timor, Semau and Roti Islands
• T. m. viridipennis – Kalaotoa and Madu Islands, south of Sulawesi
• T. m. sumbensis – Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands
• T. m. floris – Flores, Lesser Sunda Islands
• T. m. djampeae – Tanahjampea and Kalao Islands, south of Sulawesi

These subspecies vary slightly in size, mass, and coloration across their ranges.

Physical Appearance

The Great-billed Parrot is a medium-sized parrot measuring 16-16.4 inches (38–41 cm) long.

It’s plumage is primarily green, with some blue and yellow highlights:

• Head, neck, breast, belly, and underside of wings are greenish-yellow
• Back, rump, and upper side of wings are green
• Flight feathers are blue with green edges
• Shoulders and wing coverts are black with blue and yellow edges
• Tail is green above, yellowish below

The most striking feature is the massive cherry red bill, which measures 2.4-2.8 inches (6–7 cm) long. The iris is cream-colored and legs are gray.

Males and females look similar, but females are noticeably smaller at 13-15 inches (33–38 cm) long with a weight of 9-13 ounces (260-375 grams). Males are larger at 15-16 inches (38–41 cm) long and weigh 13-14 ounces (375-400 grams).

Juveniles have duller green plumage overall. Their wing feathers lack the black, blue, and yellow accents. The massive bill is still present but is more pinkish in color.

The subspecies vary somewhat in size and in the amount of blue edging on the wings and mantle. The smallest subspecies is T. m. sumbensis of Sumba island, while T. m. megalorhynchos of Sulawesi is the largest.

Habitat and Distribution

The Great-billed Parrot inhabits forests across a chain of islands in southeast Asia. It’s range extends from the Sulu and Talaud Islands in the Philippines south through Sulawesi, the Molucca Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Raja Ampat Islands, and scattered small islands off western New Guinea.

This species is found in coastal lowlands up to elevations of 3,300 feet (1,000 m). It frequents primary and mature secondary rainforests, forest edges, wooded grasslands, and mangrove forests.

The subspecies have the following distributions:

• T. m. megalorhynchos – Talaud and Sangihe Islands to western New Guinea
• T. m. affinis – south Maluku Islands
• T. m. subaffinis – Tanimbar Islands and Babar Island
• T. m. hellmayri – southwest Timor, Semau and Roti Islands
• T. m. viridipennis – Kalaotoa and Madu Islands, south of Sulawesi
• T. m. sumbensis – Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands
• T. m. floris – Flores, Lesser Sunda Islands
• T. m. djampeae – Tanahjampea and Kalao Islands, south of Sulawesi

Though widespread, the Great-billed Parrot has specialized habitat needs and is absent from many small islands within it’s range. Deforestation presents a major threat to some populations.

Diet and Feeding

In the wild, the Great-billed Parrot feeds mostly on fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds. Documented food items include:

• Fruits of Sonneratia, Canarium, Ficus, and Artocarpus trees
• Figs, breadfruit
• Nuts of Canarium and casuarina trees
• Berries of various types
• Corn crops (causing damage at times)

They use their massive bill to open hard nuts and fruits. They may gather in small flocks of up to 12 birds to feed communally.

In captivity, the Great-billed Parrot should be provided with:

• A variety of fruits such as apples, oranges, pears, bananas, berries
• Vegetables like carrots, squash, sweet potato, beans
• Leafy greens like kale, spinach, lettuce
• Sprouted seeds
• Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans
• High quality parrot seed mix
• Occasional treats like whole grains, pasta, nuts in the shell

A supplement of standard parrot pellet can ensure all nutritional needs are met. Fresh water should always be available. New foods should be introduced slowly and cautiously to these birds.

Breeding and Reproduction

In the wild, the Great-billed Parrot nests in tree cavities, laying eggs from August to December. The clutch size is usually 2 eggs.

The eggs are broad ellipses measuring 1.5 x 1.1 inches (39 x 28 mm) in size. Incubation lasts 25-27 days. Chicks fledge at around 9 weeks old.

Both parents participate in incubating the eggs and caring for the young. They are fed by regurgitation. After leaving the nest, the chicks remain dependent on the parents for an additional few weeks.

Breeding the Great-billed Parrot in captivity has been rare. However, successful breeding has occurred in large planted aviaries. Pairs are provided with nest boxes approximately 12 x 12 x 24 inches (30 x 30 x 60 cm) in size.

The hen incubates the eggs alone while the male stands guard nearby. He will feed the female as she sits on the eggs. The chicks are fed through parental regurgitation.

Most breeding activity occurs during the natural season of August through December. Removing nest boxes during non-breeding times can help control egg production.

Vocalizations

The Great-billed Parrot has a repertoire of noisy vocalizations used for communication.

Their flight call is a harsh, raucous screech described as “raa-raa-raa.” They make loud squawking sounds when perched.

Other vocalizations include growls, whistles, and contact calls. These parrots have a “chattering” begging call when soliciting food from their mates or parents.

In general, they are not considered a particularly loud or noisy species compared to other parrots. However, their vocal activity increases during the breeding season and when traveling in flocks.

In captivity, these vocalizations can be minimized by providing adequate space, enrichment, and access to other birds. Excessive screaming may indicate stress, boredom, or frustration. Ensuring their needs are met can help prevent problem noise levels.

Conservation Status

The Great-billed Parrot has a large range and population size, and is therefore classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

It’s global population has not been quantified but is suspected to number over 50,000 mature individuals based on it’s widespread distribution.

However, some localized populations are declining or endangered:

• The subspecies T. m. sumbensis of Sumba has fewer than 1,700 individuals remaining and is classified as Endangered.
• T. m. floris of Flores has suffered declines due to heavy trapping for the pet trade.
• Habitat loss also threatens populations on smaller islands.

The Great-billed Parrot is listed on Appendix II of CITES, indicating regulated international trade. Trapping for the pet trade occurs in some areas despite legal protection.

Conservation priorities for this species include reducing exploitation, protecting key forest habitats, and restoring native vegetation on islands where populations are declining. With targeted conservation action, the outlook for this adaptable parrot can remain positive.

In Aviculture

The Great-billed Parrot is rare in aviculture and challenging to breed in captivity. However, with proper care they can make engaging pets.

These parrots should be housed in large planted aviaries or spacious indoor enclosures measuring at least 4.5 x 1 x 2 m (14.7 x 3 x 6 ft). The temperature should be kept above 50°F (10°C).

Provide ample space for flying and climbing along with areas for bathing. Offer a variety of parrot toys, swings, and natural wood perches for enrichment. Rotate new toys in frequently to prevent boredom.

The Great-billed Parrot can be kept in colonies provided there is adequate space. However, care should be taken when breeding since males may fight over nest sites.

Breeding pairs should be provided with nest boxes measuring approximately 16 x 16 x 24 inches (40 x 40 x 60 cm). Most breeding activity occurs between August and December.

With excellent care and housing, the Great-billed Parrot can make a long-lived pet. However, they remain a rare find in private aviculture collections.

Conclusion

The Great-billed Parrot is a visually striking and vocal island species with specialized habitat needs across it’s southeast Asian range. This sociable parrot has adapted to feed on a wide variety of fruits, nuts, and seeds from it’s tropical forest home.

While still relatively widespread in the wild, some populations face threats from habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade. Their specialized island distributions make them vulnerable. Continued conservation management is important for the long-term outlook of this species.

In aviculture, the Great-billed Parrot presents challenges but can thrive when properly cared for. This little-known parrot remains a rare find in captivity. Those privileged to care for one should provide extensive space, enrichment, and a varied diet.

The Great-billed Parrot provides a window into the rich diversity of parrots originating from Indonesia and other island chains. Learning about rare species like this helps shine a light on the need to protect delicate island ecosystems. With proper habitat conservation, this charismatic bird will continue brightening the forests of southeast Asia with it’s brilliant plumage and boisterous nature for decades to come.