Mexican Parrotlet
Forpus cyanopygius
Tiny, social, and excited-sounding parrot of tropical lowlands endemic to west Mexico. Found in forests, plantations, and semiopen areas with tall trees, including towns and villages. Rarely seen far from fruiting fig trees, in which birds can be very difficult to see, because they are the size and color of fig leaves. Usually seen in flocks of 10–100 birds that move in fast, slightly bounding flight, flashing green and turquoise. No other small parrots in its range.
Identification
(Forpus cyanopygius cyanopygius) (nominate subspecies)<p>Mexican parrotlets exhibit sexual dimorphism: males have light turquoise feathers along the leading edges of their wings and on their rumps and primaries, secondaries, and coverts; females are entirely yellow-green and slightly duller. Some male individuals have faint turquoise feathers behind their eyes and around their heads. Like all parrots, Mexican parrotlets exhibit zygodactyly, meaning two toes face forward and two face backward.<p>Juveniles look like adults, though young males have green feathers mixed in with their blue ones.<p>(F. c. insularis)
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Forpus cyanopygius
- Authority
- (Souancé, 1856)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Forpus
Range and habitat
Mexican parrotlets are endemic to western Mexico. Their range extends from southern Sonora to Colima. This species is the northernmost member of the genus Forpus. Though they are non-migratory, they wander throughout their range to follow the blooming and growth patterns of the plants they prefer to feed on.<p>Natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry scrublands, deciduous forests, open grasslands with scattered trees, heavily degraded former forest, plantations, and woodlands along watercourses. They are not found at altitudes higher than 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) above sea level.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Mexican parrotlets are highly social and gregarious birds, most often found in flocks of 4-30 individuals made up of pairs and family groups. When flying in these flocks, they fly quickly and in relatively tight formations. They create a variety of squeaky, excited-sounding chirps while perched or in flight. While feeding, they make occasional squawks.<p>Mexican parrotlets typically breed between May and July, and lay clutches of up to 3 small, white eggs. They are typically incubated for at least 19 days, and chicks fledge 4–5 weeks after hatching. Mexican parrotlets can live to be over 20 years old.[citation needed] Mexican parrotlets usually nest in tree cavities, cacti, and other similar structures.<p>Mexican parrotlets most commonly eat seeds, grass seeds, berries, and Ficus (fig) fruits, which may be ripe or half-ripe. They forage both on the ground and in trees and shrubs as large flocks. They are known to wander frequently in search of food, making regional population estimates difficult.
Conservation
According to the IUCN Red List, Mexican parrotlets are Near Threatened. The population is estimated to be 50,000 or greater, but it is decreasing due to a combination of the illegal hunting and trapping of wild individuals and habitat loss. Based on records created before 1995, there were approximately 208,000 individuals in Mexico. According to records from 1996 to 2013, around 107,000 remain, which represents a 48.4% drop in population.<p>It is estimated that up to 8,000 individuals are illegally captured for the pet trade every year. There are no current conservation measures in place, but many areas across the Mexican parrotlet's range are already protected.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Large guan with a long tail and red throat wattle. Dark brown overall with an olive tinge to the upperparts and warmer brown belly. Unlike most other members of its genus, Dusky-legged has dull grayish legs. Note frosted forehead and variable thin white streaks on the neck and underparts. Found in lowland and foothill forest, including forest edge and scrub. Listen for loud, harsh calls and brays, often given in a series. Occurs from southeastern Brazil to Buenos Aires. Usually in pairs or small groups; often seen feeding at fruiting trees, but can be seen walking on the ground.
Little Bee-eater
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A small, mostly grass-green bee-eater with a canary-yellow throat separated from buff underparts by a black line across the throat. Singles and pairs occupy grassy savanna and wetland edges. They often perch lower than 1.5 m above the ground, and dart around hunting flying insects, then returning to the same small twig. Calls include a sibilant “s-lip” and other high-pitched notes. The Blue-breasted Bee-eater is slightly larger and has a white patch on the cheek. The much larger Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater has burnt orange underparts, and it prefers highland forest above 1800 m.
Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail
Leptasthenura pileata
Attractive, long-tailed bird found in the high Andes of Peru. Plumage is brown overall with a chestnut crown, speckled throat, and streaked belly. Plumage varies geographically, and birds in southern Peru are much darker below with bolder streaking. Inhabits scrub and woodland with short trees. Vocalizations have a metallic quality; they include a high-pitched trill and a series of sharp chips.
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