Chuck Ripper: Thick-billed Parrot

Artist: Chuck Ripper
1929 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1996
Image Size: 12.5 by 14.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17.75 inches
Medium: Gouache Watercolor on Masonite

The Thick-Billed Parrot is a slender bird, aptly named for its unusually large black beak. This exotic-looking bird is distinguished by its bright green plumage, and contrasting red-feathered crest and wingband. In flight, a golden highlight is visible on the underwing. The Thick-Billed Parrot flies low through gullies and valleys of the forest in the cool morning air. In the afternoon, when warm air rises from the ground, it uses the thermal airwaves to fly at high altitudes above the tree line. The Thick-Billed Parrot feeds mainly on pine nuts, although it occasionally can be seen eating other seeds, fruits and nectars. In autumn and winter, when pine nuts are rare, this parrot's primary food are acorns. During the day it can be seen feeding in small groups. At night, however, large flocks congregate to perch. Found in the Mexican Sierra Madres, the Thick-Billed Parrot is the only wild parrot known to venture across the border into Arizona and New Mexico. At the beginning of the 20th century, this bird was common throughout Mexico. Unfortunately, deforestation has played a major role in its demise. The Thick-Billed Parrot inhabits areas deep within forests, making it difficult to obtain an accurate count of its population. Because of the parrot's remoteness it is nearly impossible to enforce laws passed to protect it. Conservationists believe that forest acreage set aside to form a natural reserve is the best way to ensure the Thick-Billed Parrot's survival.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 20¢ Thick-Billed Parrot stamp issued October 2, 1996.

Artwork Copyright © 1996 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB15503

US$ Price: $2,000.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Shipping and handling will be added to the first payment. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-287-4079 from throughout U.S. and Canada.