Green-cheeked parakeet

Green-cheeked parakeet
Pyrrhura molinae molinae at Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittacidae
Genus:	Pyrrhura
Species:	P. molinae
Binomial name
Pyrrhura molinae Massena & Souance, 1854
Approximate range. Now also confirmed for lined area.

The Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae), is a small parrot of the genus Pyrrhura. The name Green-cheeked Conure is primarily used in aviculture, while the name Green-cheeked Conure is used elsewhere. It is native to forests of South America.

Description

The Green-cheeked Parakeet is 26 cm (10 in) long and weighs 60 to 80g. It is mainly green, with a brown/black/grey crown, white bare eye-rings, green cheeks, blue primary wing feathers, a grey beak, and its long pointed tail is mostly maroon. It has short transverse striations on its breast and a red abdominal area. Males and females have an identical external appearance.

Taxonomy

The Green-cheeked Parakeet has six subspecies:

• Pyrrhura molinae, (Massena & Souance 1854)
  • P. m. australis, Todd 1915
  • P. m. flavoptera, Maijer, Herzog, Kessler, Friggens & Fjeldsa 1998
  • P. m. sordida,
  • P. m. molinae, (Massena & Souance 1854)
  • P. m. phoenicura, (Schlegel 1864)
  • P. m. restricta, Todd 1947

P. m. sordida naturally occurs as a green morph or as a yellow morph, The yellow morph is also called the Yellow-sided Parakeet, and was once erroneously considered to be a separate species, P. hypoxantha.

The Green-cheeked Parakeets is very similar to the Maroon-bellied Parakeet (P. frontalis), and formerly there have been speculations that they were conspecific. It is also similar in appearance to the Blaze-winged Parakeet and the Black-capped Parakeet.

Distribution and habitat

The Green-cheeked Parakeet occurs in west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, through northern and eastern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina and northern Paraguay. Its habitat is forests and woodland, where it usually forms flocks of 10 to 20 individuals at treetop level, or larger flocks where there is plenty of food. Also a popular parrot pet for families and individuals.

Behaviour

The Green-cheeked Parakeet eats various seeds and fruits and probably other kinds of vegetable matter. The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days. They rarely squawk and can easily learn trick and (limited) speaking methods.. Green cheeks have also been known to use tools (especially their own feathers for scratching hard to reach places).

Aviculture

A wing-clipped adult Yellow-sided Green-cheeked Parakeet, yellow morph P. m. sordida. Note the lighter coloration.

Green-cheeked Parakeets are common in aviculture and are popular companion parrots. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent, known as having a "big personality in a small body". They can learn to talk, albeit with a limited vocabulary and a gravelly voice. They like to be held (although some like it more than others) and can learn tricks such as lying on their backs and "kissing." Along with other Pyrrhura Parakeet, they are only moderately loud, therefore making acceptable pets for apartment dwellers. They can be prone to biting, particularly when young, but an owner can cure this behavior with patience and time. They love fruits, (especially bananas and raisins), and seeds such as sunflower, safflower and hemp seeds; all things found in their natural environments. Green-cheeked Parakeet also love table food; they are flock animals and love to eat with their family. They can eat potatoes, carrots, corn, well cooked meat, bread, pasta, plain popcorn, and even eggs. A clipped and/or caged bird can become obese from eating too many fatty seeds such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. A bird-pellet diet with a calcium supplement will give them the proper nutrition, but should not be used exclusively due to the presence of trace chemical additives and bonding agents not found in the Parakeet's natural habitat. A good rule of thumb is 30% pellet diet, 10% seeds, and the rest being fresh foods- fruits, vegetables, or cooked food. Some Parakeets with health problems related to the kidneys should not be fed pellets. Green-cheeked Parakeets can live to 30 years with proper care, though the average lifespan is typically 10 years due to owner neglect.

Colour mutant varieties derived in aviculture

In addition to the natural colour forms, colour mutants have been selectively bred in aviculture:

• Cinnamon are lime green and have a lighter, almost pale color to the feathers. The head is tan and the tail feathers are a lighter maroon than in normal Green-cheeked Parakeets.
• Yellow-Sided have a breast of bright colors.
• Pineapple is Cinnamon and Yellow-sided combination. They have a breast of bright colors, a tan head and lime green feathers on the back like a Cinnamon. The tail feathers are the same as a Yellow-sided showing a halo effect.
• Turquoise have a body with some blue-green and green feathers. The breast feathers are grayish and the tail feathers are gray.

• 
  Cinnamon mutation
• 
  Pineapple mutation (juvenile)
• 
  Turquoise mutation
  (wing-clipped adult)

References

• Template:IUCN2008

Cited texts

• Forshaw, Joseph. M (2006). Parrots of the World; an identification guide. Illustrated by Frank Knight. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691092516. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |nopp= ignored (|no-pp= suggested) (help)

External links

• World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia — Species Profiles
• FAQ: Introduction to Green Cheeks
• Green Cheeked Pyrrhura molinae from the International Conure Association
• Pyrrura molinae videos of wild birds on the Internet Bird Collection
• "Green-cheeked Parakeet" photo gallery VIREO