Orange-fronted Parakeet Eupsittula canicularis
Taxonomy
Scientific name:
Eupsittula canicularis
Family:
Psittacidae
Genus:
Eupsittula
Species:
Canicularis
Common names:
Orange-fronted parakeet, orange-fronted arantinga
Biology
Morphology:
Small sized parakeet, measuring 23 to 25 cm, with long tail. Light beak color, bottom part sometimes gray. Gray legs, amber colored eyes with a yellow ocular ring. No visual sexual difference. Green bright plumage with orange front and blue crown, throat and breast grayish color. Primary and secondary feathers blue on top and dark gray at the bottom. Bottom tail feathers are yellow.
Reproduction:
They lay about 3 to 5 white eggs in an unlined nest cavity, usually self-excavated in an arboreal termite nest, but sometimes in an old woodpecker hole or natural cavity.
Diet:
The orange-fronted parakeet feeds in flocks which can reach 100 birds outside the breeding season. They feed on diverse kinds of seeds, fruits and flowers.
Ecology
Range:
Nearby pacific coast of northwestern Mexico to northwest Costa Rica. It is a resident of Copán Ruinas.
Habitat:
They are found in lowlands and foothills on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges in forest canopy and edges, and more open woodland, including savanna and second growth.
Threats
Their population has decreased in many areas due to the persecution for illegal pet trade.
IUCN Red List: Least concern.