Flame-winged Parakeet (Pyrrhura calliptera)

Flame-winged Parakeet

[order] PSITTACIFORMES | [family] Psittacidae | [latin] Pyrrhura calliptera | [authority] Massena and Souance, 1854 | [UK] Flame-winged Parakeet | [FR] Conure a poitrine brune | [DE] Braunbrust-Sittich | [ES] Cotorra Pechiparda | [NL] Bruinborstparkiet | [copyright picture] Birdlife

Subspecies

Genus Species subspecies Region Range
Pyrrhura calliptera SA c Colombia

Genus

The genus Pyrrhura includes a rich set of small to medium-sized species of parakeets, mostly confined to dense habitats in South America. Also, they inhabit dry as well as tall rainforests which occur from sea level up to 2000m. These birds exploit several tree species and use a variety of food items, from nectar to pure seeds. All have long, pointed tails, a mainly green plumage, and a relatively narrow, dark greyish to white eye-ring. Many have scaly or barred chest-patterns and a whitish, pale grey, buff or reddish ear-patch. They typically move around in small, noisy flocks, flying swiftly at or below canopy level. Once settled in a tree they tend to be silent (especially if aware of danger) and difficult to spot. They nest in a tree-crevice.

Physical charateristics

Reddish-brown and green parakeet. Brown crown and nape brown with green fringes, green cheek marked dusky with reddish auricular patch, white eye-ring. Brown breast barred buff, reddish central belly, rest of underparts and upperparts green. Green wings with yellow (to orange) carpal and primary coverts, blue primaries. Reddish-brown tail.

Listen to the sound of Flame-winged Parakeet

[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/PSITTACIFORMES/Psittacidae/sounds/Flame-winged Parakeet.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

recorded by Oscar Laverde


wingspan min.: 0 cm wingspan max.: 0 cm
size min.: 22 cm size max.: 23 cm
incubation min.: 0 days incubation max.: 0 days
fledging min.: 0 days fledging max.: 0 days
broods: 0   eggs min.: 0  
      eggs max.: 0  

Range

South America : Central Colombia. It occurs in the East Andes of Colombia, where it was formerly present on both slopes, but has been recorded at only one west slope location (in Santander) in modern times. On the east slope, there are recent records from Norte de Santander (although confirmation is needed), Boyaca and Cundinamarca. It could occur as far south as Paramo de Sumapaz, Meta. Although locally umerous, populations have become fragmented and have declined rapidly, especially in Cundinamarca

Habitat

It occupies upper subtropical and temperate forest (1,850-3,000 m), elfin woodland and second growth (3,000-3,400 m), and adjacent areas of paramo, subparamo and agricultural land.

Reproduction

Breeding condition birds have been taken in August and October and breeding has been noted between November and January at Fusagasuga, Farallon de Medina and Soata, no further data

Feeding habits

Flame-winged Parakeets fly in small, close flocks, often in twisting flight through the canopy, and feed on fruit and seeds in the canopy; otherwise little is known about the biology of this species. Feeds on fruits of Cecropia, Clusia and Brunellia sp. and seeds. May take cultivated maize.

Video Flame-winged Parakeet

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve2mncQSFTw

copyright: David Caro


Conservation

This species has a very small range and a small population, known from fewer than ten locations, where it is declining rapidly owing to habitat loss and persecution as a crop-pest. These declines in range and population are expected to continue. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.
Past and continuing forest destruction and fragmentation through logging, conversion to agriculture, human settlement and development of the road network have been extensive, especially below 2,500 m on the west slope. On the east slope, logging is fairly widespread, although some large areas of intact habitat persist. Low levels of selective logging affect GuanentAlto RFonce Fauna and Flora Sanctuary. It is persecuted by local farmers as a crop-pest.
Flame-winged Parakeet status Vulnerable

Migration

Resident. It may make seasonal altitudinal movements

Distribution map

Flame-winged Parakeet distribution range map

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