White-winged parakeet

Brotogeris versicolurus

Photo by Luis Vargas (Ornitoteca)

Common name:
white-winged parakeet (en); periquito-de-asa-branca (pt); toui à ailes variées (fr); catita de patas amarillas (es); weissflügelsittich (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Psittaciformes
Family Psittacidae


Range:
This species is native to the Amazon river basin, from eastern Peru and south-eastern Colombia and along the Amazon river and its main tributaries in Brazil all the way to the mouth. It as also been introduced to Lima, Peru, to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami, United States.


Size:
These birds are 21-25 cm long and weigh 70 g.


Habitat:
White-winged parakeets are mainly found in rainforests, swamp forests and riparian forests, but also in savannas and urban parks. They mostly found in lowland areas, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.


Diet:
They feed on a wide range of seeds and fruits, but may also eat blossoms and nectar.


Breeding:
The white-winged parakeet breeds in January-July. They nest in tree cavities, where the female lays 3-6 white eggs. The eggs are mainly incubated by the female, for 23-26 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 7-8 weeks after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common to abundant in most parts of its range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.