Maroon-fronted Parrot
Rhynchopsitta terrisi
Very local, long-tailed, and social parrot of mountains endemic to northeast Mexico. Feeds in pine and pine-oak forests and adjacent semiopen areas with orchards and flowering century plants. Nests colonially in tall cliff-face "apartments." Usually found in flocks of 10–100 birds, less often in scattered pairs; often located by its far-carrying, raucous laughing calls. No similar species in its range; note the dark red forehead, small red shoulder patches.
Identification
The maroon-fronted parrot is a large mostly green parrot which measures 40–45 cm (16–18 in) in length and weighs 390–470 g (14–17 oz). The adults have a dark maroon brow which extends over the rim of bare yellow skin that surrounds the eyes. They have a brighter red at the bend of the wing. The tail is long and pointed. The underside of the wings are blackish. The juvenile has a pale beak, whitish eye-rings, and lack the dark maroon stripe over each eye.
Taxonomy
R. terrisi is one of two extant and one extinct species of genus Rhynchopsitta of thick-billed parrots.
- Scientific name
- Rhynchopsitta terrisi
- Authority
- Moore, RT, 1947
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Rhynchopsitta
Range and habitat
Maroon-fronted parrots live in mature pine, mixed conifer, and pine-oak forests from 2000 to 3500 meters. This bird is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental in Nuevo León, Coahuila and Tamaulipas, Mexico.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
They nest in limestone cliffs near moving water in large colonies. Breeding coincides with the fruition of pines, which is its main food source. They lay one to three eggs in July and the juveniles fledge around November. They migrate over short distances seasonally.
Conservation
This bird is considered endangered due to overgrazing and habitat destruction.<p>The ITESM Campus Monterrey carry out environmental education programs and science research in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Sierra de Arteaga for the conservation of maroon-fronted parrots.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Small, active bird found locally in the southern Peruvian Andes. Brownish gray with a red cap, a white-streaked face, breast, and back, and a white eyebrow. Note its tiny, thumbtack-like bill and its fairly long, pointed tail. Forages in and near Polylepis patches, where it makes quick, short hops through dense bushy vegetation. Its song is a dry, rapid descending trill of chips.
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