Mountain Parakeet
Psilopsiagon aurifrons
Tiny, rather long-tailed green parakeet of the Andes; also locally in coastal lowlands of Peru. Usually in small groups. Found in rocky valleys with scrubby bushes, around nearby bogs and agricultural areas, usually not far from cliffs or banks where nests colonially in holes. Feeds in bushes and on the ground. Plumage is bright green overall with a bluer cast to wing feathers; some northern populations (in Peru) have a yellow face and breast.
Identification
This small parrot reaches about 18 cm (7 in) in length and weighs about 45 g (1.6 oz). The male of the nominate subspecies, P. a. aurifrons, has a green head, mantle, back and tail. The otherwise green primary feathers have blue outer webs. The face, throat and breast are yellow gradually fading to a yellowish-green belly. The eye is brown and the bill horn-coloured. The female is similar to the male but has a yellow forehead, and the juvenile resembles the female but has a shorter tail.<p>Both sexes of P. a. margaritae are similar to the female P. a. aurifrons but are larger with shorter tails and the colour of the female's bill is grey. P. a. rubrirostris is a similar colour to P. a. margaritae but the head, breast and belly are a rather darker shade of green tinged with blue. The male's bill is pinkish-buff and the female's grey. The male and female P. a. robertsi resemble P. a. aurifrons but the belly is a darker shade of green and the chin and throat brighter yellow.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Psilopsiagon aurifrons
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1831)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Psilopsiagon
Range and habitat
The mountain parakeet is found in the Andes at altitudes between 1,000 and 4,500 metres (3,300 and 14,800 ft). Its range includes Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. Its typical habitat is among vegetation near rivers, on bushy slopes, among scrub, on rough grassland with cacti and brush and agricultural land. It also occurs in man-made environments such as parks and gardens. The four subspecies occupy separate, non-overlapping parts of the range. This species does not migrate, but the birds move to higher altitudes in summer and lower ones in winter.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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