Pfrimer's parakeet

Last updated

Pfrimer's parakeet
Pyrrhura pfrimeri 29229562.jpg
P. pfrimeri in Brazil
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Pyrrhura
Species:
P. pfrimeri
Binomial name
Pyrrhura pfrimeri
Pyrrhura pfrimeri map.svg
Synonyms

Pyrrhura leucotis pfrimeri

Pfrimer's parakeet (Pyrrhura pfrimeri) is a non-migratory species within the parrot family Psittacidae. It also is known as Pfrimer's conure, Goias parakeet, and maroon-faced conure. The Pfrimer's parakeet has been qualified as endangered by the IUCN and BirdLife International since 2007. [1] It is endemic to the Goiás and Tocantins regions of Brazil. It is mainly found within a belt of dry deciduous and semi-deciduous areas of the Caatinga forest. [2]

Contents

It was considered a subspecies of the white-eared parakeet, as Pyrrhura leucotis pfrimeri. The split was based on range, differences in habitat and distinctive differences in plumage (it is the only member of the P. leucotis complex where the pale patch on the ear-coverts is greatly reduced). A recent study based on mtDNA has confirmed its status as a distinct species.

The population of Pfrimer's parakeet is currently decreasing, with a current population of between 20,000 and 49,000 individuals. The main factor behind the decreasing population is deforestation for agriculture. [1] [2]

Individuals have an average lifespan of 6–8 years. [1]

Morphology

Adult and juvenile Pfrimer's parakeet look similar in plumage. They have brown and red faces and ear coverts, with a blue crown. They have white or grey eye rings surround their brown or orange eyes above their gray or black beaks. Their necks are covered in green or blue feathers. The breasts are colored blue or green with hints of white and brown, while their abdomen is brown/red. The wings have a blend of red, green, and blue. Their tails are typically seen to be maroon with a green base. [3]

Adult Pfrimer's parakeets grow up to a size of around 22–23 cm (8.5–9 ins) including the tail. [4]

Range

The Pfrimer's parakeet is endemic to Caatinga forest of the Goiás and Tocantins states of Brazil. These birds are known to be found up to 600 m up in deciduous or semi-deciduous forests. [3] According to the BirdLife International and the IUCN they have an estimated extent of occurrence up to 20,300 km2. [1] The range of this bird is severely fragmented due to habitat loss and ecosystem degradation. This is partly why BirdLife International has listed this species as Endangered.

Ecology

Behavior

These social birds can usually be found in flocks that can consist of up to 10 birds. These flocks are typically noisy when in flight but will be quiet when resting or feeding in the canopy. [3]

Breeding

The breeding season for is thought to start in April and continue until June. Adult Pfrimer's parakeets typically have around 3–8 eggs per nest.

Diet

The diet of the Pfrimer's parakeet is mostly made up of fruits, berries, and seeds; though they have been known to eat certain flowers, insects, and their larvae. [3]

Conservation

Threats

Currently the Pfrimer's parakeet is Endangered. Since they only live within a small area human activities affecting their habitat are devastating. Currently there are anywhere from 20,000 to 49,000 individuals living in Brazil. This number is decreasing as deforestation and habitat degradation increase within their range. [3] Anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture, mining, and hunting are reasons as to why the population is currently decreasing. According to the IUCN there has been a 66% decrease in its natural habitat within the last 31 years due to deforestation. This deforestation is typically through selective logging, fires, and the conversation of forested land to meadows. [1]

Use and trade

The Pfrimer's parakeet is not threatened by trade of exotic species as much as other exotic species but is still captured for this purpose on occasion.

Conservation actions in place

Currently the only action in the conservation of this species is some protection of its native habitat. Other than this there are no major conservation plans in place are specifically for the Pfrimer's parakeet in place. [1] [3]

Conservation/research needed

More general research is needed for the Pfrimer's parakeet. Little research has been done on this species and therefore reliable information and sources are uncommon. The IUCN currently has the largest source of data on the Pfrimer's parakeet, but other sources should as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and BirdLife International are lacking in complete information. The habitat of the Pfrimer's parakeet shrinks by 2.1% each year and is in dire need of conservation. Logging and agriculture interests are currently the main threats against this species, which it needs protection from.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conure</span> Group of small to medium-sized parrots

Conures are a diverse, loosely defined group of small to medium-sized parrots. They belong to several genera within a long-tailed group of the New World parrot subfamily Arinae. The term "conure" is used primarily in bird keeping, though it has appeared in some scientific journals. The American Ornithologists' Union uses the generic term parakeet for all species elsewhere called conure, though Joseph Forshaw, a prominent Australian ornithologist, uses conure.

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

The green-cheeked parakeet, known as the green-cheeked 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 Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.

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

The sulphur-winged parakeet, also known as Hoffmann's 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 Costa Rica and Panama.

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

The golden parakeet or golden conure, or the Queen of Bavaria conure is a medium-sized golden-yellow Neotropical parrot native to the Amazon Basin of interior northern Brazil. It is the only species placed in the genus Guaruba.

<i>Pyrrhura</i> Genus of birds

Pyrrhura is a genus of parrots in the Arini tribe. They occur in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America. Most are restricted to humid forest and adjacent habitats, but one species, the blaze-winged parakeet, prefers deciduous or gallery woodland, and another, the Pfrimer's parakeet, is restricted to dry regions. Some species are highly endangered.

<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">Blaze-winged parakeet</span> Species of bird

The blaze-winged parakeet, known as the blaze-winged 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 Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and possibly Argentina.

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

The fiery-shouldered parakeet, also known as the fiery-shouldered conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. There are two subspecies, P. e. egregia and P. e. obscura.

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

The blood-eared parakeet, also known as the red-eared parakeet and in aviculture as the red-eared conure, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Venezuela.

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

The pearly parakeet, known as the pearly conure in aviculture, is a Vulnerable species in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Brazil.

<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">El Oro parakeet</span> Species of parrot

The El Oro parakeet is an Endangered species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Ecuador.

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

The crimson-bellied parakeet, known as the crimson-bellied 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 Bolivia and Brazil.

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

The painted parakeet, known as the painted 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 Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, and Venezuela.

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

The rose-crowned parakeet, also known as the rose-headed parakeet, rose-crowned conure or rose-headed conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae and genus Pyrrhura. It is endemic to Venezuela.

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

The grey-breasted parakeet is an Endangered species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Ceará in northeastern Brazil.

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

The white-eared parakeet or maroon-faced parakeet is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Brazil.

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

The rose-fronted parakeet, known as the rose-fronted conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in the subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.

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

The Santarém parakeet, also known as Hellmayr's parakeet or in aviculture as Hellmayr's conure or the Santarém conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found in the eastern and central sections of the Amazon basin south of the Amazon River, only just extending onto the northern bank of this river.

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

Bonaparte's parakeet, also known as Deville's parakeet, or in aviculture as Deville's conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is restricted to the Brazilian state of Amazonas south of the Solimões river.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "BirdLife International (2021) Species factsheet: Pyrrhura pfrimeri" . Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  2. 1 2 Handbook of the Birds of the World https://www.hbw.com/species/goias-parakeet-pyrrhura-pfrimeri
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 World Parrot Trust Encyclopedia https://www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/maroon-faced-conure
  4. Beauty of Birds https://www.beautyofbirds.com/pfrimersconures.html