Brown-breasted Parakeet
Pyrrhura calliptera
This medium-sized parakeet is restricted to the eastern Andes of central Colombia. Like other species in the genus, it is mostly green with a pointed tail. Look for the reddish-brown neck and breast with a scaly pattern, a maroon tail, and a bright yellow patch on the forewing. Small flocks occur in cloud forest from 1,800 to 3,000 m. Often seen in flight, but perches in the canopy to feed on fruit.
Identification
A medium-sized parakeet, the brown-breasted parakeet measures 22–23 cm in length. The throat and upper breast are medium brown with light edges giving a scalloped appearance. The head of the bird is mostly greyish-brown with green cheeks and contrasting ear coverts that can appear reddish or brown. The eye has a prominent white orbital ring. The breast and belly are reddish brown, often with green shadings. The bird's back and most of its wing coverts are green, with bright yellow primary coverts and bluish primaries. The tail is dull red. In flight bright yellow and orange-red wing markings are evident, which explains the name flame-winged parakeet.
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described as Conurus callipterus in 1854 by the French ornithologist Charles de Souancé, after studying a specimen from the collection of his uncle, François Victor Massena, 3rd Duke of Rivoli.<p>The genus name Pyrrhura is derived from the Ancient Greek purrhos (red) and oura (tail). The species epithet calliptera is also from Ancient Greek: kallos (beauty) and pteros (winged).<p>The species is monotypic: no subspecies have been identified. The International Ornithologists' Union lists the species as flame-winged parakeet, the other four major taxonomic authorities refer to it as the brown-breasted parakeet.
- Scientific name
- Pyrrhura calliptera
- Authority
- (Massena & Souancé, 1854)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Pyrrhura
Range and habitat
The brown-breasted parakeet is endemic to Colombia. Although its range was originally much larger, it is now only found in fragmented populations on the eastern slope of the Eastern Andes. It is known to be present in the departments of Boyacá, Cundinamarca, and Casanare, and possibly also in Meta, Santander, and Norte de Santander.<p>The species is found between 1700 and 3400masl in upper subtropical and temperate zone montane forests and forest edges, typically cloud forest, elfin forest, subpáramo and peatbog páramo. Populations are small and highly localized within this habitat.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Large, long-legged, upland shorebird with a brown back, a white belly, and a dark gray hood. Found in grassland and cultivation; only at high elevations over much of its range. Social; often found in flocks. Call is a high-pitched “chit-chit-chit” followed by a lower “chrrrey.” Very similar to Senegal Lapwing, but slightly larger and shorter-legged, with more white on the forehead, redder legs, and more black on the breast. Easily separated in flight, when Black-winged shows a white bar across the middle of the wing.
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Mostly green tanager, male deeper emerald with yellow back, mostly rufous head, and rufous wings. Female duller yellow-greenish but still with obvious rufous wings. Most similar to Bay-headed Tanager, but that species always has green wings. Usually seen in the canopy of forests and edges, often in pairs accompanying a mixed-species flock.
Budgerigar
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Iconic small green and yellow parrot found extensively across inland Australia. Largely nomadic, according to food and water availability. Usually found in small flocks zipping around overhead, but can congregate in staggering numbers under the right conditions. All native birds in Australia are green and yellow with a beautiful scalloped pattern on the upperparts and fine barring on the head. Small introduced populations and escaped birds scattered across the globe can include various other color forms such as blue and white.
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