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
Genus: Psilopsiagon; Family: Psittacidae; Order: Psittaciformes.
- 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
Behavior
Migration pattern: Vertical migration.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Saffron Finch
Sicalis flaveola
Widespread and common but patchily distributed. Male is bright yellow with saturated orange on forehead. Typically shows less brownish-olive tone on back and wings than many yellowfinches, but southern populations of Saffron are duller and browner above. Females are duller than males, with southern populations even browner and streakier. Could be confused with Grassland Yellow-Finch, but that species is usually duller and more heavily streaked above. Orange-fronted Yellow-Finch is smaller. Saffron Finch is found in dry open habitats including agricultural land and towns. Often in flocks.
Bismarck Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula melanochroa
An entirely black pigeon with intricately white-edged wing feathers and red feet. Occurs mostly in undisturbed old-growth hill forest. In flight, resembles Metallic Pigeon and Yellow-legged Pigeon, but lacks the white throat of the former, and has pink legs and an entirely dark head, unlike the latter. Rarely heard, but has been known to utter deep booming sounds.
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
Medium-sized tern found on open ocean, beaches, and large lakes. Adults have pale gray body and black cap. Bill color differs by subspecies: most have red bill with black tip, but some Asian birds have all-black bills. First-years show dark outer primaries, dark shoulder, and black restricted to back of neck. Similar to Forster's, Arctic, and Roseate Terns. Separated from breeding Forster's Tern by entirely gray upperwings; nonbreeding Forster's shows black ear patch. Somewhat longer-billed and shorter-tailed than Arctic Tern, with paler body. Shorter-tailed and overall darker than gleaming white Roseate Tern. Often found in large flocks, especially in late summer. Gives a harsh screeching call "KEEE-yurrrr."
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