Green Parakeet
Psittacara holochlorus
Bright green bird with long, pointed tail. Bill is dull pink. Some birds have red speckling on neck, but plumage otherwise uniform. Native to Mexico, but also found in small introduced colonies in southern Texas. Almost always seen in small flocks in wooded or suburban areas; gathers in large nighttime roosts. Feeds on fruit and seeds. Listen for high-pitched screeching calls.
Identification
The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus), green conure, or Mexican green conure is a New World parrot. As defined by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), it is native to Mexico and southern Texas in the Rio Grande Valley.
Taxonomy
Genus: Psittacara; Family: Psittacidae; Order: Psittaciformes.
- Scientific name
- Psittacara holochlorus
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Psittacara
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ruby-throated Bulbul
Rubigula dispar
Eye-catching medium-sized bulbul, endemic to Java, Sumatra, and Bali, where it inhabits open wooded habitats. Combination of jet-black head, golden-yellow body, and blood-red throat make this species unmistakable. Small crest is often raised, giving the bird a comical triangular-headed appearance. Adults have bright red eyes, whereas juveniles have pale ones. Song is a rather quiet and mellow “wee-dih’deedee!” Unfortunately declining in many areas as a result of the cagebird trade, and is now fairly localized, despite its ability to live in scrubby and degraded areas.
Streaked Bulbul
Ixos malaccensis
Large olive-brown bulbul with a long, powerful, chisel-like bill. Pale gray below, with white streaking on the throat and breast. Similarly-shaped Buff-vented Bulbul is browner, with a yellow vent and no streaking on the breast. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests, where it forages up in the middle and upper levels, often with other species. Song is an assemblage of squeaky, upslurred notes.
White-bearded Helmetcrest
Oxypogon lindenii
This distinctive, short-billed hummingbird is an iconic denizen of the high paramo. Both sexes have a dull green body, white throat and v-like collar, and dusky, forked tail. Male’s black face is set off by spiky black-and-white crest and long white beard. Seasonally common and territorial, perching on plants or rocks or foraging in paramo vegetation. Often found in areas with boulders and water. Voice is a high pitch note “peek….peek…peek.” No similar species in range. Endemic to the Andes of Venezuela.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.