Lilac-tailed Parrotlet

Overview

The lilac-tailed parrotlet (Touit batavicus) is a species of small parrot found discontinuously across northern South America. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• About 14 cm long with a yellow head, green ear coverts, and green neck sides.
• Black back and wings, with yellowish-green greater wing coverts edged in green-blue and a red carpal bar.
• Purplish rose tail featuring a black band near the end, with a pale blue breast and green belly.
• Calls include a slightly nasal "ryee" or "nee-ryee", and perched birds emit a very nasal "naaee".

Habitat

Found in Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela, the species primarily inhabits lowland deciduous forest but occurs in cloudforest between 700 and 1,700 m in Colombia and the Venezuelan Coastal Range. It utilises both pristine and disturbed primary and secondary forests.

Diet

The lilac-tailed parrotlet consumes flowers, nectar, buds, berries, seeds, and fruits. Most of its foraging activity takes place in the morning.

Did you know?

The genus name Touit is derived from the extinct Tupi language, where Tuí eté means "really little parrot". Although Buffon believed the original specimen came from Batavia (modern Jakarta), this was later corrected to Venezuela as the type locality.