Pacific Parakeet

Overview

The Pacific parakeet, also known as the Pacific conure or Nicaraguan green conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found along the Pacific slope of Central America, ranging from southern Mexico to Nicaragua.

Identification

• Approximately 32 cm long with generally olive green plumage that is slightly yellowish on the underparts.
• Some individuals feature red speckles on their neck, while the undersides of the flight feathers and tail are olive-yellow.
• Horn-coloured bill, brownish legs and feet, and an orange-red iris surrounded by bare pale beige skin.
• Flight call rendered as 'kreh!-kreh!-kreh!-kreh!...' and a lower-pitched perched call described as 'a scratchy kreeh-kreeh-kreeh-kreei-kreei'.

Habitat

Inhabits a variety of woodland landscapes on the Pacific slope, including deciduous, semi-deciduous, and evergreen forests, gallery forest, swamp forest, and arid scrublands. It also occurs in upland pine-oak forests, urban parks, and gardens, ranging in elevation from sea level to 2,600 m.

Diet

Its diet includes seeds and fruits, though it has not been fully documented. The species can act as a crop pest and flocks may exceed 100 individuals.

Did you know?

Despite being non-migratory, the bird makes local movements in response to food availability. It is estimated that the combined population with the green parakeet numbers about 200,000 mature individuals and is currently decreasing.