Flame-winged Parakeet

The Brown Chest Parakeet ( Pyrrhura calliptera ) is a species of bird in the genus Rotschwanzsittiche ( Pyrrhura ). The species is endemic to the Andes of Colombia. The stock is assessed by the IUCN as endangered ( Vulnerable ).

Features

The Brown Chest Parakeet reaches a body length of about 22-23 centimeters. It is predominantly green and reddish brown. The beak is pale yellow. The top of the head is brown, the neck is brown with greenish feather edges. The cheeks are dark greenish, the ear-coverts red. To the eye there is a white ring. The neck and chest are brown with red-brown cross bands, the middle belly is reddish. The rest of the bottom and the hull top are green, the upper wing-coverts are also predominantly green, the large upper coverts and bend of wing at the wrist are yellow to orange. The primaries are blue, the tail is rusty.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area extends into Colombia on both slopes of the eastern Andes, in the province of Boyacá on Totasee up in the Southwest Cundinamarcas. The species inhabits temperate and subtropical forests at altitudes of 1850-3000 meters, mountain pine zones at altitudes 3000-3400 meters and the adjacent Páramo. They can be there watching on forest edges and in the bushes.

Way of life

The birds usually move in groups of six to 14 animals. During the flight they scream conspicuous. For food of parakeets the fruits of the heather family ( Ericaceae ), laurel (Lauraceae ) and black mouth plants include ( Melastomataceae ). Every now and then they also eat seeds and corn. The breeding season is from August to January.