| Cuban parakeet | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Genus: | Psittacara |
| Species: | P. euops |
| Binomial name | |
| Psittacara euops (Wagler, 1832) | |
 | |
The Cuban parakeet (Psittacara euops) is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to the island of Cuba. [3] [1]
The Cuban parakeet was for a time placed in the genus Aratinga but from about 2013 has been in its present genus Psittacara. [4] [5] It is monotypic. [3]
The Cuban parakeet is 22 to 29 cm (8.7 to 11 in) long and weighs 78 to 96 g (2.8 to 3.4 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults are mostly yellow-green that is paler on their underparts. They have red spots scattered on their head, neck, and breast; females have fewer than males. The edge of their wing and their underwing coverts are bright red. The undersides of their flight feathers and tail are pale green to olive. Their eye is light yellow surrounded by bare light pink to reddish white skin, their bill is light pink, and their feet are pink to ivory. Juveniles resemble adults, but have little or no red on the head and breast. [6]
The Cuban parakeet formerly was found throughout the main island of Cuba and on Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Pines). It was extirpated from Isla de la Juventud by about 1900. In the 21st century it has a disjunct distribution in the Zapata Swamp; in parts of Villa Clara, Ciego de Ávila, Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, and Guantanamo provinces; in the western Escambray Mountains; and in the Cauto River watershed. [6]
The Cuban parakeet inhabits two quite different landscapes. One is savannas with many palms and isolated trees. The other is evergreen and semi-deciduous montane forest. Royal palm is present in both landscapes and is the species' preferred nest substrate. [6]
The Cuban parakeet is very social and is usually seen in flocks that may number up to about 50 individuals. [6]
The Cuban parakeet is not migratory. [6]
The Cuban parakeet's diet includes seeds, fruits (both green and ripe), and flower buds, pollen, and nectar. More than 50 species of plants have been documented as sources. [6]
The Cuban parakeet nests between February and September. Almost all nests are in holes excavated by woodpeckers though cavities in limestone cliffs are also used. No material is added to the substrate though in trees and palms the adults may loosen chips from the inner walls to line the bottom of the cavity. The clutch size is two to five eggs with an average of four. The incubation period is about 24 days and fledging occurs 55 to 60 days after hatch. The male brings food to the nest for the female which in turn feeds the nestlings. [6]
The Cuban parakeet has a variety of vocalizations. Its "warning calls" in response to a predator are "more metallic than scraping; they can be described as erh, erh, erh, erh." Its "contact call" is used while feeding and is described as "kkkkeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr". It also makes a "flight contact" call, usually when taking off and landing; it is similar to the warning call. "Courtship calls" are "smooth and short...and sound like keirp-keirp-keirp." [6]
The IUCN originally assessed the Cuban parakeet as Threatened but since 1994 has rated it as Vulnerable. It has a small and fragmented range and its estimated population of 1500 to 7000 mature individuals is believed to be decreasing. Continuing habitat loss and illegal trapping for the domestic and export cage bird trade are the principal threats. The increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes attributed to climate change is a potential additional threat. [1] Cuban authorities have recommended that the IUCN rating be changed to Endangered. Most of the remaining populations are in somewhat protected areas. [6]
The red-masked parakeet is a medium-sized parrot from Ecuador and Peru. It is popular as a pet and are better known in aviculture as the cherry-headed conure or the red-headed conure. They are also considered the best talkers of all the conures.
The blue-crowned parakeet, blue-crowned conure, or sharp-tailed conure is a small green Neotropical parrot with a blue head and pale beak native to large parts of South America, from eastern Colombia to Curacao in the southern caribbean, and to the northern region of Argentina. They inhabit savanna-like habitats, woodland and forest margins, but avoid dense humid forest such as the Amazon.
The sulphur-breasted parakeet, or sulphur-breasted conure is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Brazil and Suriname. It resembles the closely related sun parakeet.
The Pacific parakeet, known as Pacific conure or Nicaraguan green conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The Cuban amazon, also known as the Cuban parrot and the rose-throated parrot, is a medium-sized mainly green parrot found in woodlands and dry forests of Cuba, the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Although they have been observed in the wild in Puerto Rico, they are probably the result of escaped pets, and no reproduction has been recorded.
The green parakeet, green conure or Mexican green conure is a New World parrot. As defined by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), it is native to Mexico and southern Texas in the Rio Grande Valley..
The cliff parakeet is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Bolivia.
The white-eyed parakeet, known in aviculture as white-eyed conure, is a species of bird in the subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile and also on Trinidad.
The Andean parakeet is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.
The Socorro parakeet, known in aviculture as the Socorro green conure or Socorro conure, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Socorro Island in the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico.
The Hispaniolan parakeet is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. In the former country it is called "perico" and in the latter "perruche".
Finsch's parakeet, also known as the crimson-fronted parakeet and in aviculture as Finsch's conure, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
The mitred parakeet, also known as the mitred conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. It has been introduced to Uruguay and is established there. There are also substantial populations in the US states of California and Florida and smaller numbers in Hawaii.
The olive-throated parakeet, also known as the olive-throated conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found from Mexico to Costa Rica and in Jamaica; it has been introduced to the Dominican Republic on Hispaniola.
The red-throated parakeet, called red-throated conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The scarlet-fronted parakeet, known in aviculture as the scarlet-fronted conure,red-fronted conure, or Wagler's conure, is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
The tui parakeet is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and possibly Ecuador.
Psittacara is a genus of parakeets in the tribe Arini. Species of the genus are found in Central and South America, the Caribbean and one species reaching the southern United States. Until 2013, all the species were placed in the genus Aratinga. Many of the Psittacara species are kept in aviculture or as companion parrots, where they are commonly known as conures.
The white-capped parrot or white-capped pionus is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The cordilleran parakeet is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
