Mountain parakeet

Last updated

Mountain parakeet
Psilopsiagon a aurifrons-Male-JMM-SBartolo Zarate-DSC 0510-20111030.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Psilopsiagon
Species:
P. aurifrons
Binomial name
Psilopsiagon aurifrons
(Lesson, RP, 1831)
Psilopsiagon aurifrons map.svg
Synonyms

Bolborhynchus aurifrons (Lesson, 1830)

The mountain parakeet (Psilopsiagon aurifrons), also known as the golden-fronted parakeet, is a species of parrot, one of two in the genus Psilopsiagon within the family Psittacidae. It is found in the Puna grassland. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. Four subspecies are recognised.

Contents

Subspecies

There are four subspecies: [2]

Description

This small parrot reaches about 18 cm (7 in) in length and weighs about 45 g (1.6 oz). The male of the nominate subspecies, P. a. aurifrons, has a green head, mantle, back and tail. The otherwise green primary feathers have blue outer webs. The face, throat and breast are yellow gradually fading to a yellowish-green belly. The eye is brown and the bill horn-coloured. The female is similar to the male but has a yellow forehead, and the juvenile resembles the female but has a shorter tail. [3]

Both sexes of P. a. margaritae are similar to the female P. a. aurifrons but are larger with shorter tails and the colour of the female's bill is grey. P. a. rubrirostris is a similar colour to P. a. margaritae but the head, breast and belly are a rather darker shade of green tinged with blue. The male's bill is pinkish-buff and the female's grey. The male and female P. a. robertsi resemble P. a. aurifrons but the belly is a darker shade of green and the chin and throat brighter yellow. [3]

Distribution and habitat

The mountain parakeet is found in the Andes at altitudes between 1,000 and 4,500 metres (3,300 and 14,800 ft). [4] Its range includes Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. Its typical habitat is among vegetation near rivers, on bushy slopes, among scrub, on rough grassland with cacti and brush and agricultural land. It also occurs in man-made environments such as parks and gardens. The four subspecies occupy separate, non-overlapping parts of the range. [4] This species does not migrate, but the birds move to higher altitudes in summer and lower ones in winter. [5]

Biology

The mountain parakeet is a sociable bird and forages on the ground and in scrub for buds, berries and seeds of such plants as Fabiana densa , Lepidophyllum and Adesmia . Breeding takes place at different times of year in different parts of the range. A clutch of three to six eggs is laid in a hole or crevice in a rocky outcrop, cliff face or river bank. [5] [6]

Status

The mountain parakeet has a very wide range and is fairly common in suitable habitat over much of that range. The IUCN has listed its conservation status as being of "least concern". [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aconquija National Park</span>

Aconquija National Park, formerly known as Campo de los Alisos National Park, is a federal protected area in Tucumán Province, Argentina. Established on 9 August 1995, it houses a representative sample of the Southern Andean Yungas montane forest biodiversity in good state of conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slaty-headed parakeet</span> Species of bird

The slaty-headed parakeet is the only psittacid species to exhibit altitudinal migration. The species' range extends from Pakistan, to Western Himalayas in India through Nepal and Bhutan and up to the Eastern Himalayas in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. They descend to the valleys in winter, approximately during the last week of October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andean tinamou</span> Species of bird

The Andean tinamou is a tinamou, found commonly in high-altitude shrubland, in the Andes of South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andean parakeet</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austral parakeet</span> Species of bird

The austral parakeet, austral conure, or emerald parakeet is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Argentina, Chile, and possibly the Falkland Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maroon-bellied parakeet</span> Species of bird

The maroon-bellied parakeet is a small parrot found from southeastern Brazil to north-eastern Argentina, including eastern Paraguay and Uruguay. It is also known as the reddish-bellied parakeet, and in aviculture it is usually referred to as the maroon-bellied conure, reddish-bellied conure or brown-eared conure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-capped parakeet</span> Species of bird

The black-capped parakeet, also known as the black-capped conure or rock conure in aviculture, is a parrot native to the south-western Amazon Basin and adjacent east Andean slopes in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. It has a total length of approximately 25 cm. It is mostly green with off white scalloping on the hindneck and breast and red primary coverts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taruca</span> Species of deer

The taruca, also known as the Peruvian guemal, north Andean deer, north Andean huemul, northern huemul or northern guemal, is a mid sized deer species that inhabits the high regions of the Andes mountains in South America. The common name taruca means "deer" in both the Quechua and Aymara languages, though these are not interrelated. The taruca is closely related to the southern guemal, the only other member of the Hippocamelus genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andean siskin</span> Species of bird

The Andean siskin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-capped parakeet</span> Species of bird

The golden-capped parakeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae found in Brazil and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss. The A. auricapillus is a good biological indicator because of its vulnerability, high detectability as well as its sensitivity to forest fragmentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-fronted parakeet</span> Species of bird

The rufous-fronted parakeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. Endemic to Colombia, its natural habitats are high-altitude shrubland, high-altitude grassland and arable land. It is threatened by habitat destruction and is classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burrowing parrot</span> Species of parrot

The burrowing parrot, also known as the burrowing parakeet or the Patagonian conure, is a species of parrot native to Argentina and Chile. It belongs to the monotypic genus Cyanoliseus, with four subspecies that are currently recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-plumed parakeet</span> Species of bird

The golden-plumed parakeet is a Neotropical parrot species within the family Psittacidae, belonging to the monotypic genus Leptosittaca. This somewhat Aratinga-like species is found in humid temperate highland forests, especially with Podocarpus, on the east Andean slope in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is generally local and uncommon. It is threatened by habitat loss. Clearing of high-altitude forests for agricultural reasons have greatly impacted the loss of habitat for this parakeet species. Further reduction of such habitats will continue to diminish the number of golden-plumed parakeets left in South America. It is the only known parakeet species that can detect ultraviolet radiation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-hooded parakeet</span> Species of bird

The grey-hooded parakeet, also known as the Aymara parakeet or Sierra parakeet, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found in northwestern Argentina and Bolivia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flame-winged parakeet</span> Species of bird

The flame-winged parakeet, also known as the brown-breasted parakeet, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to forest edge and shrub at altitudes of 1,700–3,400 m (5,600–11,200 ft) above sea level on the east Andean slope in Colombia. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maroon-tailed parakeet</span> Species of bird

The maroon-tailed parakeet is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andean flicker</span> Species of woodpecker

The Andean flicker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bar-breasted piculet</span> Species of woodpecker

The bar-breasted piculet is a species of bird in subfamily Picumninae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masked trogon</span> Species of bird

The masked trogon is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. It is fairly common in humid highland forests in South America, mainly the Andes and tepuis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordilleran parakeet</span> Species of bird

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.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2016). "Psilopsiagon aurifrons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22685907A93091639. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22685907A93091639.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. "Mountain Parakeet (Psilopsiagon aurifrons) (Lesson, 1830)". AviBase. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  3. 1 2 "Species Profile: Mountain parakeet". World Parrot Trust. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  4. 1 2 "Psilopsiagon aurifrons". Neotropical Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2010. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  5. 1 2 Collar, N. (1997). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). "Mountain Parakeet (Psilopsiagon aurifrons)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  6. "Status in the Wild: Mountain parakeet". World Parrot Trust. Retrieved 2014-08-03.