Crimson-fronted Parakeet
Psittacara finschi
Mostly green with long, pointed tail. Red forehead. In flight, look for red patch under shoulder. Almost always in small flocks, which feed inconspicuously on fruit in gardens, forest edges, and second growth. More obvious in flight; listen for grating, squeaky calls.
Identification
Finsch's parakeet is about 28 cm (11 in) long and weighs 135 to 175 g (4.8 to 6.2 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults are mostly green that is yellowish on their underparts. They have a red forehead (the "front" of their alternate English name) and some red flecks elsewhere on their head. The edge of their wing and their outer underwing coverts are also red, often with an orange tinge. Their greater underwing coverts are yellow. The undersides of their flight feathers and tail are olive yellow. Their thighs usually have some red. Their eye is orange surrounded by bare white skin and their bill is horn colored. Juveniles resemble adults, but have little or no red on the head and none on the thighs. Their eyes are gray.
Taxonomy
Finsch's parakeet was for a time placed in the genus Aratinga but from about 2013 has been in its present genus Psittacara. It was for a time treated as a subspecies of the white-eyed parakeet (P. leucophthalmus), and they constitute a superspecies. It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Psittacara finschi
- Authority
- (Salvin, 1871)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Psittacara
Range and habitat
Finsch's parakeet is found from southeastern Nicaragua, on both the Pacific and Caribbean slopes of Costa Rica, and into Panama's Pacific slope as far east as the Azuero Peninsula. It inhabits a variety of semi-open to open landscapes including woodlands, the edges of denser forest, secondary forest, ranchlands and agricultural areas that have groves of trees, coffee plantations, and towns. In elevation it ranges from sea level to 1,800 m (5,900 ft).
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Behavior
Finsch's parakeet is rather social, often gathering in flocks of about 30 individuals, and several hundred may roost together.<p>Finsch's parakeet wanders widely, making irregular and seasonal movements that are not well defined. In the dry season, increased numbers are present on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.<p>Finsch's parakeet feeds on fruits and flowers of a variety of plants and trees. It also feeds on maize and sorghum. It has been observed feeding on wood, an uncommon habit in parrots.<p>Finsch's parakeet nests in Costa Rica during the dry and early wet seasons of December to May, and is thought to nest in July in Panama. It nests in tree cavities which it sometimes excavates itself in rotten wood. It sometimes nests semi-colonially. The clutch is usually three to four eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.<p>Finsch's parakeet is very vocal, especially in flight with "a jangling chattering" described as "klee-klee-chee-chee...". It also makes "[s]harp squeaky notes and loud harsh calls" described as "scree-ah".
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Elegant Pitta
Pitta elegans
A typical pitta: plump, short-tailed, long-legged, and primarily terrestrial (sometimes perches up to call). Bright green above with electric blue shoulder patch and rump and black head with conspicuous pale brow. Underside golden-buff with black and bright red on the belly. Plumage varies geographically, with forms varying in eyebrow, throat color (white or black), and extent of red and black on belly. Juvenile duller, with little blue in wing, an orange-tipped bill, and a pinkish belly. Inhabits woodland, forest, scrub, and plantations in lowlands and hills; some populations migratory. Sometimes arboreal when calling. Voice varies throughout range; generally a variation on “wit-wit-deer” or “werwer-dew!”
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Eulidia yarrellii
Tiny, highly endangered hummingbird found very locally in the desert of northern Chile. Favors native desert scrub in lowland valleys, but widely eliminated from most areas by intensive agriculture. Male most often detected by insectlike buzz made by wings in flight. Also perches conspicuously atop bushes and on wires; note diagnostic crossed tail feathers. Female similar to Peruvian Sheartail, but has shorter tail with pale rusty bases to outer feathers (hard to see).
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