Hispaniolan Parakeet

The Haiti Parakeet ( Aratinga chloroptera ), sometimes referred to as green wing Parakeet, is a species of parrot from the genus of macaws ( Aratinga ). There are two races: the nominate Aratinga chloroptera chloroptera, which occurs in Hispaniola and the extinct Puerto Rican Parakeet ( Aratinga chloroptera maugei ), who was at home on the island of Mona and likely to Puerto Rico.

Features

The Haiti parakeet reached a size of 32 cm and a weight of 150 grams. In adult birds the bend of wing, carpal edge of the wing, the extreme middle wing-coverts and the outer under wing-coverts are red. The inner small under wing-coverts are green. The undersides of the hand and arm swing are olive yellow dull. The beak is horn colored. The protruding eyes featherless ring is creamy white. The iris is yellow. The legs are gray-brown. The wing length is 167-185 mm.

The juvenile birds the red color on the bend of wing, carpal edge on the wing and at the extreme middle elytra missing. The greater coverts are less red. The bill base and the iris are gray.

The Puerto Rican parrot was a bit smaller, the beak was dark with him, the red color under the coverts brighter. The small hand ceilings were completely green without reddish feathers.

Occurrence

The Haiti parakeet comes in the mountain ranges of the Massif de la Selle and Massif du Nord in Haiti and in the mountain ranges of Sierra de Baoruco and Sierra de Neiba ago in the Dominican Republic. In Puerto Rico, where, until the 1860s the subspecies Aratinga chloroptera maugei occurred, and it was introduced in Guadeloupe. Also in Florida illegally imported and left free copies were discovered in the years 1975, 1979 and 1992.

Habitat

The Haiti parakeet inhabited different habitats in lowland areas at altitudes up to 3000 m. These include dry lowland forests, palm savannah, forest edges and moist upland forests, especially those dominated by conifers. Occasionally, he can also be found on cultivated areas. Local and often it is only in undisturbed regions, especially in the middle altitudes.

Way of life

The Haiti parakeet is a state bird, which can be observed in pairs, family groups or small flocks 8-10 individuals. In the past, there were swarms of up to 100 birds. He is shy and wary, but not particularly careful when foraging. In his morning flights or on the seat waiting he is noisy and conspicuous, with a high-pitched shriek can be heard. However, during digestion of food in the leaves of the roof sheets he is silent and remains well hidden due to its plumage coloration. In the evening he goes to his sleeping. The couple fly in shoals close together. The flight is swift and straight with rapid wing beats.