White-winged Parakeet
Brotogeris versicolurus
Small bright green parakeet, with striking white-and-yellow pattern on wings, visible in flight. Long, pointed tail. Bill and legs dull pinkish. White eyering. Native to South America; established populations exist in southern Florida and southern California. Usually found in small flocks in wooded or suburban areas. Listen for harsh, high-pitched calls.
Identification
The white-winged parakeet typically is 22 cm in length, and is mostly green in color. It has a trailing yellow edge on its folded wings. Its most distinguished characteristic is the white wing patches most noticed when the bird is in flight. It is closely related to the yellow-chevroned parakeet, and the two have often been considered conspecific.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Brotogeris versicolurus
- Authority
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Brotogeris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
In captivity, these are charming birds that often have a close relationship with their human handlers. They enjoy spending time in physical contact with their owners, often riding around on shoulders or nesting in hair. They can have loud calls when not within sight of their "flock", but are generally quiet, otherwise. They are adept climbers and enjoy a myriad of challenges. They are a very adaptable species and are less picky than others about their available food options. They are not the strongest talkers, but are adept whistlers.<p>The white-winged parakeet feeds mostly on fruit and seeds in its native habitat, and feral populations have adapted to take in blossoms and nectar. Feral birds also come to bird feeders. Wild birds primarily use disturbed forest and forest clearings around settlements. They rarely use deep tropical forest.<p>In captivity, a pelleted or seed diet is acceptable, supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables and freshly sprouted seeds.<p>The white-winged parakeet usually finds a hole in a tree in which to nest. It may also take over termite tunnels and excavate them for their own purposes.<p>Clutches usually consist of three to five white eggs, which hatch after about 26 days of incubation. Young fledge between six and seven weeks of age, and are fully weaned around nine weeks. After raising their young, all birds form rather large communal roosts until the next breeding season.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Heuglin's Wheatear
Oenanthe heuglinii
A brownish wheatear with a rusty breast. Note the white eyebrow, dark mask, and pale throat. The tail is mostly black with a white base and rump, forming a thick “T” pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Found in short grassland, cultivated areas, and open savanna, often in rocky areas. Very similar to Red-breasted Wheater, but there is little overlap in range, and Heuglin’s is smaller and darker, with a duller pale throat. The song is a long, complex mix of many different components, sometimes given in a flight display.
Mangrove Fantail
Rhipidura phasiana
Small pale gray flycatcher, exclusively coastal and usually observed in or very close to mangroves. Pale gray head and back, white throat and chin, pale wingbars, and a very thin gray chest band. Holds tail up and frequently fans it as it forages. Compare Gray Fantail, which is larger, darker, and has a wider black chest band, and Northern Fantail, which has a pale-streaked gray chest without a dark narrow band and lacks the pale streak behind the eye.
Buff-shouldered Widowbird
Euplectes psammacromius
Breeding males are mostly black with a long tail. There is a large yellow-and-buff patch on the shoulder. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown, though males retain their colorful shoulder. Found locally in montane marsh, heath, and grassland. Vocalizations include low rasps and twittering and sizzling calls. Male separated from Marsh Widowbird by its more extensive buff shoulder patch. Female can be confused with several other species, but is usually identified by association with buff-shouldered males.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.