Golden-plumed Parakeet

Overview

The golden-plumed parakeet, Leptosittaca branickii, is a Neotropical parrot species belonging to the monotypic genus Leptosittaca. It is a large, long-tailed bird found in the highland forests of the east Andean slope in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where it is generally local and uncommon.

Identification

• Adults feature bright green plumage with orange-yellow lores and small golden-yellow crests behind the eyes.
• Bellies are a faded yellowish colour, scattered with reddish-orange feathers.
• The underside of the flight feathers is yellowish, while the underside of the tail has strongly reddish colouring.
• Juveniles resemble adults but possess paler green, yellow, and orange bellies and pale pink bills.
• The call is described as a shrill sound, heard both in flight and while perched.

Habitat

This species inhabits humid temperate highland forests, particularly those containing Podocarpus trees, along the east Andean slope in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is generally a local and uncommon resident of these montane cloud forests.

Diet

The bird is heavily dependent on Podocarpus cones for food and spends a significant amount of time foraging in these trees. It also relies on wax palms for shelter and is often observed on the exposed branches and outer crowns of these plants.

Did you know?

The golden-plumed parakeet is the only known parakeet species capable of detecting ultraviolet radiation.