White-eyed parakeet

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White-eyed parakeet
Aratinga leucophthalma -Piraju -Brazil-8.jpg
In Piraju, Brazil
Psittacara leucophthalmus - White-eyed Parakeet
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Psittacara
Species:
P. leucophthalmus
Binomial name
Psittacara leucophthalmus
(Müller, PLS, 1776)
Psittacara leucophthalmus map.svg
Synonyms [3]
  • Aratinga leucophthalmus
  • Aratinga leucophthalma

The white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus), known in aviculture as white-eyed conure [4] , is a species of bird in the subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. [5] It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile and also on Trinidad. [6]

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

The white-eyed parakeet was for a time placed in the genus Aratinga but from about 2013 has been in its present genus Psittacara. [7] It has these three subspecies: [5]

What is now Finsch's parakeet (P. finschi) was for a time treated as a fourth subspecies of white-eyed parakeet, and they now constitute a superspecies. [8]

The white-eyed parakeet's specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek leukos "white" and ophthalmos "eye". [9]

In Brazil Aratinga leucophthalma -Reserva Guainumbi, Sao Luis do Paraitinga, Sao Paulo, Brasil-8.jpg
In Brazil
White-eyed parakeets feeding, apparently on queen palm fruit White-eyed Conure - Aratinga leucophthalma.jpg
White-eyed parakeets feeding, apparently on queen palm fruit

Description

The white-eyed parakeet is 32 to 35 cm (13 to 14 in) long with a 37 to 40 cm (15 to 16 in)[ citation needed ] wingspan. It weighs 100 to 218 g (3.5 to 7.7 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults of all subspecies are mostly green that is paler on their underparts. They have red flecks on their head and neck. The bend and edge of their wing and their outermost lesser underwing coverts are also red. Their outermost greater underwing coverts are yellow. The undersides of their flight feathers and tail are olive. Their eye is orange surrounded by bare white to yellowish white skin and their bill is horn colored. Subspecies P. l. callogenys is larger and darker green than the nominate P. l. leucophthalmus. Subspecies P. l. nicefori has a red band on its forehead. Juveniles resemble adults, but have little or no red on the head and wings. [10] [11] [12]

Distribution and habitat

The nominate subspecies of the white-eyed parakeet has the widest distribution. It is found on Trindad [13] and from eastern Venezuela east through the Guianas and south through Brazil into Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and Uruguay. Its Brazilian range does not include the upper Amazon Basin or the dry northeastern part of the country. Subspecies P. l. callogenys is found in southeastern Colombia south through eastern Ecuador into northwestern Peru and east into the upper and central Amazon Basin south of the Amazon River. P. l. nicefori is known only from the type specimen that was collected in central Colombia. [10]

The white-eyed parakeet inhabits a wide variety of landscapes, most of which are somewhat open. These include the edges of dense forests and nearby savannahs, secondary forests, gallery forests, várzea forests (especially in Ecuador), palm groves, mangroves, and clearings in rainforests. It is generally a bird of the lowlands, reaching 700 m (2,300 ft) in Colombia and 1,100 m (3,600 ft) in Ecuador but occurring as high as 2,500 m (8,200 ft) in Bolivia. [10] [11] [12] [14]

Behavior

The white-eyed parakeet congregates in flocks that may number several hundred birds and include other parrot species. It roosts communally in trees and also in cane fields and caves. [10] [4]

Movement

The white-eyed parakeet is non-migratory but apparently roams in response to food availability. [10]

Feeding

The white-eyed parakeet's diet is mostly fruit but also includes seeds, flowers, and small numbers of arthropods. [10] It visits clay licks. [14]

Breeding

The white-eyed parakeet's breeding season varies widely across its very large range. It nests in cavities in trees and palms. The clutch size is three to four eggs. In captivity, the incubation period is four weeks and fledging occurs nine weeks after hatch. [10]

Vocalization

The white-eyed parakeet is very vocal, especially in flight with "a grating chattering interspersed with higher-pitched shrieks" [10] described as "r'teet-r'teet-tiw-" [11] . It also makes "[s]harp squeaky notes and loud harsh calls" described as "scree-ah". [10]

Status

The IUCN has assessed the white-eyed parakeet as being of Least Concern. It has an extremely large range but its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. Large numbers have been exported or kept domestically in the pet trade but no immediate threats have been identified. [1] It is considered common over much of its range, though less so at the northern and southern edges of it. It occurs in some protected areas. [10]

Aviculture

Though not as popular as some of the more colorful parakeets, the white-eyed parakeet can become a sweet, loving and talkative pet. [15] They are seldom destructive and are generally not screamers, often choosing to mimic speech instead. Although many breeders ignore this species, those that do breed them appreciate their good parenting skills. Breeding requirements for white-eyed parakeets are much the same as for other parakeet species.

They will usually start to nest in March or April, sometimes breeding throughout the year and having four to six clutches.[ dubious ] The clutch size is usually four eggs. Chicks will sometimes start to talk by the time they are weaned and generally will talk by six months of age.

White-eyed parakeets are sometimes confused with Finsch's parakeets because both have red and yellow epaulets under their wings. The white-eyed parakeets lack the red triangle on the forehead as adults. In captivity, they can live for 25–30 years. [4]

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">Red-masked parakeet</span> Parrot native to Ecuador and Peru

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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..

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

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.

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

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.

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

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".

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

The brown-throated parakeet, also known as the St. Thomas conure or brown-throated 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 Costa Rica, Panama, the northern mainland of South America, and islands off the South American coast.

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

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.

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

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.

<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">Cuban parakeet</span> Species of bird

The Cuban 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 Cuba.

<i>Psittacara</i> Genus of birds

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.

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

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.

<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). "White-eyed Parakeet Psittacara leucophthalmus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22685682A93083034. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22685682A93083034.en . Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  2. "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 30 January 2023. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved 30 January 2023
  4. 1 2 3 "WHITE-EYED CONURE (Psittacara leucophthalmus)". World Parrot Trust. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  5. 1 2 Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P., eds. (January 2023). "Parrots, cockatoos". IOC World Bird List. v 13.1. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. 30 January 2023. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved 30 January 2023
  7. Remsen, James V.; Urantówka, Adam (2013). "Divide Aratinga into four genera". AOS South American Classification Committee. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  8. Collar, N., P. F. D. Boesman, and C. J. Sharpe (2020). Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.crfpar.01 retrieved 8 April 2023
  9. Liddell, Henry George & Robert Scott (1980). A Greek-English Lexicon (Abridged ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. ISBN   0-19-910207-4.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Collar, N., P. F. D. Boesman, and C. J. Sharpe (2020). White-eyed Parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whepar2.01 retrieved 8 April 2023
  11. 1 2 3 van Perlo, Ber (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 124–125. ISBN   978-0-19-530155-7.
  12. 1 2 Ridgely, Robert S.; Greenfield, Paul J. (2001). The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide. Vol. II. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 187. ISBN   978-0-8014-8721-7.
  13. Kenefick, Martyn (22 September 2020). "Species lists of birds for South American countries and territories: Trinidad and Tobago". South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  14. 1 2 McMullan, Miles; Donegan, Thomas M.; Quevedo, Alonso (2010). Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Bogotá: Fundación ProAves. p. 61. ISBN   978-0-9827615-0-2.
  15. Kalhagen, Alyson. "White-Eyed Conure (Parakeet): Bird Species Profile". The Spruce Pets. Retrieved 6 July 2021.