Caica Parrot
Pyrilia caica
Medium-sized, uncommon rainforest parrot. Combination of green body, brown collar, and black head is unique in range. Also occurs in lower-stature forests with sandy soils. Flies fast and low; usually seen rocketing past in small groups, through the forest canopy or just above it, disappearing quickly; odd, nasal calls are often heard just before such appearances. Like other parrots, forages on fruit and flowers in forest canopy.
Identification
The caica parrot is 23 to 25 cm (9.1 to 9.8 in) long and weighs 121 to 143 g (4.3 to 5.0 oz). Adults have a brownish black head with bare gray skin around the eye. They have a fulvous or golden collar on their hindneck; dark feather edges give it a scaly appearance. Their throat and upper breast are olive-brown and the rest of their body is green. Their primary coverts are dull blue, their primaries are blackish, and their tail feathers have dull blue tips. Immature birds have mostly green heads with a duller collar.
Taxonomy
The caica parrot and the other six members of genus Pyrilia were until the early 21st century included in genus Pionopsitta with the pileated parrot (P. pileata). The caica parrot is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Pyrilia caica
- Authority
- (Latham, 1790)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Pyrilia
Range and habitat
The caica parrot is found from eastern Venezuela through the Guianas into Brazil's Amapá state and south in Brazil to the Amazon River. It occurs almost entirely in mature terra firme forest, generally shunning flooded and secondary forests. In elevation it ranges up to 1,100 m (3,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Malleefowl
Leipoa ocellata
Heavily-built grayish ground-dwelling bird with short heavy legs, gray neck and chest, and strongly marked (camouflaged) back and tail. Scarce endemic resident of semi-arid open forest (typically the multi-stemmed "Mallee" Eucalypt vegetation). Builds large nest-mounds from leaf litter. Most sightings are of single birds or pairs.
Chinese Pond-Heron
Ardeola bacchus
Often mistaken for an egret in flight due to its all-white wings, but the dark head separates it from any egret. This medium-sized heron is found across many different marshy habitats. Breeding adults have a chestnut head, neck, and breast, and a veil of bluish-black plumes over the white wings. Nonbreeding adults and juveniles are brown all over save for the white wings. In areas where the ranges of multiple pond-heron species overlap, nonbreeders and juveniles are best left unidentified.
Rusty-backed Antwren
Formicivora rufa
Small antbird with a long tail. Found in savanna and grasslands with sparse trees and shrubs. Males are richly rufous above and black below with brownish flanks and a white eyebrow, while females have streaking on the face and breast. The song is a long rattle.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.