Grey-hooded Parakeet

Overview

The grey-hooded parakeet (Psilopsiagon aymara), also known as the Aymara or Sierra parakeet, is a small, slender parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is a fairly common species with a very extensive range in northwestern Argentina and Bolivia, currently assessed as being of least concern.

Identification

• Small, slender parakeet approximately 20 cm (8 in) in length.
• Upper parts are green with greenish-yellow flanks and underwing coverts.
• Forehead and crown are brownish-grey, while the chin, throat, and breast are whitish-grey, sometimes with a bluish tinge.
• Beak is flesh-coloured with brown irises and brownish-grey legs; males often display a more vivid grey breast than females.

Habitat

Native to the eastern Andes of Bolivia, northern Argentina, and the sierras de Córdoba, this species inhabits arid shrubby or wooded habitats, including wooded ravines and dense shrubby areas near villages or agricultural land. Its altitudinal range spans from approximately 1,800 to 4,000 m (6,000 to 13,000 ft).

Diet

Gregarious birds that feed in low vegetation on grass seeds, seeds of plants in the aster family, berries, and fruits. They also forage on the ground for fallen seeds and fruits.

Did you know?

These parakeets make twittering and warbling sounds during their rapid, undulating flights that are remarkably similar to the calls of a barn swallow.