Golden-tailed Parrotlet

Overview

The Touit surdus, or golden-tailed parrotlet, is a small Vulnerable parrot endemic to eastern and northeastern Brazil. It belongs to the family Psittacidae and inhabits humid evergreen forests, cacao plantations, and montane woodland. The species has a disjunct distribution ranging from Ceará in the north to São Paulo in the south.

Identification

• Approximately 16 cm long with a body that is mostly green, darker above than below and emerald on the rump and uppertail coverts.
• Yellow forehead, lores and cheeks contrasted by a white eye ring and olive-brown scapulars.
• Males have central tail feathers that are green and outer tail feathers that are greenish yellow, all with narrow black tips; females have similar plumage but with duller underparts and greener tails.
• Vocalisations include a falsetto 'kree-kree-kree-kruh-' or a shrieking 'k'reeéh'.

Habitat

Found in humid evergreen forest on sandy soils, both primary and secondary, as well as cacao plantations and lower levels of montane forest. Its range covers parts of Ceará, intermittently from Pernambuco to Alagoas, and again between Bahia and São Paulo states. Elevation ranges from sea level to 1,000 m.

Diet

Usually forages in small flocks, likely consisting of family groups. Its diet consists mainly of fruit, though specific details are lacking.

Did you know?

The only known nests for this species were found in arboreal termite nests.