Pacific Parakeet
Psittacara strenuus
Fairly large, all-green parakeet (occasionally has a few orange flecks on head and neck) with stout pale bill and pointed tail. Favors tropical forests and plantations, where often occurs in fairly large flocks. Not readily separated in the field from Green Parakeet except by assumptions based on range: Pacific occurs in Pacific lowlands of Chiapas and northern Central America, whereas Green occurs in interior valleys of Chiapas. Larger than Orange-fronted Parakeet with plain head pattern and no blue in the wings.
Identification
The Pacific parakeet is about 32 cm (13 in) long. The sexes are alike. Adults are generally olive green that is slightly yellowish on the underparts; some have red speckles on their neck. The undersides of their flight feathers and tail are olive-yellow. Their iris is orange-red surrounded by bare pale beige skin, their bill horn colored, and their legs and feet brownish.
Taxonomy
The Pacific parakeet was for a time placed in the genus Aratinga but from about 2013 has been in its present genus Psittacara. Its taxonomy is otherwise unsettled. The International Ornithological Committee, the American Ornithological Society, and the Clements taxonomy treat it as a full, monotypic, species. BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) considers it to be a subspecies of the green parakeet (P. holochlorus).
- Scientific name
- Psittacara strenuus
- Authority
- (Ridgway, 1915)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Psittacara
Range and habitat
The Pacific parakeet is found on the Pacific slope from southern Mexico's Oaxaca state south through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras into central Nicaragua. It inhabits a variety of woodland landscapes including deciduous, semi-deciduous, and evergreen; gallery forest; swamp forest; and arid scrublands. It also occurs in upland pine-oak forest and in urban parks and gardens. In elevation it ranges from sea level to 2,600 m (8,500 ft).
Behavior
The Pacific parakeet is non-migratory but makes local movements in response to food availability.<p>The Pacific parakeet's diet has not been fully documented but is known to include seed and fruits. It can be a crop pest. Flocks may exceed 100 individuals.<p>The Pacific parakeet's breeding biology is not well known. It has been documented nesting in rock crevices and cavities in earthen banks; it probably also nests in cavities in trees and termitaria. Its breeding season appears to include June to September.<p>The Pacific parakeet's flight call is rendered as "kreh!-kreh!-kreh!-kreh!...". Its perched call is lower pitched, "a scratchy kreeh-kreeh-kreeh-kreei-kreei".
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
American Pygmy Kingfisher
Chloroceryle aenea
Tiny kingfisher of shady forest streams and mangroves. Often darts away when disturbed, but can be confiding if approached quietly and usually perches fairly low over the water. About half of the size of Green Kingfisher, and easily distinguished by rusty underparts and poorly contrasting pale neck collar (bright white on Green Kingfisher). Female has a narrow green breast band, lacking on male.
Dot-winged Antwren
Microrhopias quixensis
This species inhabits humid forest and edge in tropical lowlands. Usually found in pairs or small groups, moving actively in vine tangles and leafy thickets at low to middle levels in understory and edge. Both sexes distinctive with bold white dots on the wings and a graduated, white-tipped tail. Male is black overall. Female is slaty gray above and rich rusty below.
Tablas Drongo
Dicrurus menagei
A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of forest canopy on Tablas, where it is the only drongo in range. Entirely black with glossy-blue wings, crown, and streaks on the neck and chest. Similar to Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo but larger, with a thicker bill and a strongly forked tail with upturned tips. Not as vocal as other drongos. Voice includes a grating scold followed by a loud, high-pitched whistle.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.