Editing Pygmy parrot (section)

{{Short description|Genus of birds}}
{{Automatic taxobox
 | name                = Pygmy parrot
 | image               = NasiternaPusioKeulemans.jpg
 | image_caption       = ''M. pusio''
 | taxon               = Micropsitta
 | authority           = [[René Primevère Lesson|Lesson]], 1831
 | subdivision_ranks   = [[Species]]
 | subdivision         = 
''[[Buff-faced pygmy parrot|Micropsitta pusio]]''<br/>
''[[Yellow-capped pygmy parrot|Micropsitta keiensis]]''<br/>
''[[Geelvink pygmy parrot|Micropsitta geelvinkiana]]''<br/>
''[[Meek's pygmy parrot|Micropsitta meeki]]''<br/>
''[[Finsch's pygmy parrot|Micropsitta finschii]]''<br/>
''[[Red-breasted pygmy parrot|Micropsitta bruijnii]]''
}}

'''Pygmy parrots''' are the smallest members of the [[parrot]] order. The six [[species]] of pygmy parrots are all in the genus '''''Micropsitta''''', which is the only genus in the '''Micropsittini''' [[Tribe (biology)|tribe]].<ref>Joseph L., Alicia Toon, Erin E. Schirtzinger, Timothy F. Wright, Richard Schodde, [http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/~twright/publications/Josephetal2012Zootaxa.pdf A revised nomenclature and classification for family-group taxa of parrots (Psittaciformes) (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211091044/http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/~twright/publications/Josephetal2012Zootaxa.pdf |date=2013-12-11 }}, in Zootaxa, vol. 3205, 2012, pp. 26–40.</ref>

Pygmy parrots are native to the forests of [[New Guinea]] and nearby islands. They are tiny [[Aves|bird]]s, fast-moving, and mostly green with bright highlights. A pygmy parrot spends a good deal of time climbing through foliage, using its large feet and beak, and stiffened tail [[feather]]s. At a little over {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, the [[buff-faced pygmy parrot]] is the smallest parrot species.

Pygmy parrots are also among the few species in the order (other examples include ''[[Pyrilia]]'' and ''[[Nannopsittaca]]'' species) that have never been successfully kept, let alone bred, in captivity. All attempts to do so have resulted in the quick deaths of the little birds. Stress and dietary deficiencies are probably to blame.<ref>Arndt, T. (1997). ''Lexicon of Parrots''. Arndt Verlag. {{ISBN|3-9805291-1-8}}</ref> Pygmy parrots are among the few birds that feed on [[fungus|fungi]] and [[lichen]]s, which play a major role in their diet.<ref name=parrots>Juniper, T., & M. Parr (1998). ''A Guide to the Parrots of the World.'' Pica Press, East Sussex. {{ISBN|1-873403-40-2}}</ref> Their precise dietary needs are poorly understood.{{citation needed|date=June 2009}}