Eupsittula canicularis
- The name "orange-fronted parakeet" is also used for Malherbe's parakeet, a critically endangered parakeet from New Zealand.
| Orange-fronted parakeet | |
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| In a tree feeding on seeds, Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica | |
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| Species: | E. canicularis
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| Binomial name | |
| Eupsittula canicularis | |
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Aratinga canicularis | |
The orange-fronted parakeet or orange-fronted conure (Eupsittula canicularis), also known as the half-moon conure, is a medium-sized parrot which is a resident from western Mexico to Costa Rica.
Taxonomy
There are three subspecies:[2]
- E. c. clarae – (R. T. Moore, 1937): found in west central Mexico
- E. c. eburnirostrum – (Lesson, 1842): found in southwestern Mexico
- E. c. canicularis – (Linnaeus, 1758): found from southern Mexico to western Costa RIca
Description
Orange-fronted parakeets are 22.5 cm (8.9 in) long and weigh 80 g (2.8 oz). The adult is mainly green, paler and yellower below and with an olive tone to the breast. The wings have blue outer primaries and yellow linings, and the pointed tail is tipped with blue. The head is distinctive, with a blue crown, orange forehead, bare yellow eye-ring, yellow iris and white bill. Young birds are similar to the adults, but with much less orange on the forehead.
Habitat and range
It is found in lowlands and foothills on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges in forest canopy and edges, and more open woodland, including savanna and second growth.
Behaviour
The orange-fronted parakeet feeds in flocks which can reach 100 birds outside the breeding season, taking various seeds, flowers and fruits including figs. Its flight call is a raucous can-can-can, and when perched it has a reedy zeeweet.
Breeding
The 3–5 white eggs are laid in an unlined nest cavity, usually self-excavated in an arboreal termite nest of the termite species Nasutitermes nigriceps,[3] but sometimes in an old woodpecker hole or natural cavity.
Aviculture
The population has decreased in many areas due to persecution for the pet trade.
Gallery
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Pet orange-fronted parakeet -
Pet orange-fronted parakeet in a cage in Mexico -
Pet orange-fronted parakeet in garden
See also
References
- ^ Template:IUCN
- ^ "Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Psittaciformes (Version 9.004)". www.zoonomen.net. 2008-07-05.
- ^ Sanchez-Martinez, Tania; Renton, Katherine (2009). "Availability and selection of arboreal termitaria as nest-sites by Orange-fronted Parakeets Aratinga canicularis in conserved and modified landscapes in Mexico". Ibis. 151 (2): 311–320. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00911.x.
- Stiles, F. Gary; Skutch, Alexander F. (1989). A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Comstock Publishing Associates. ISBN 0-8014-9600-4.
External links
- BirdLife species factsheet for Eupsittula canicularis
- "Orange-fronted parakeet media". Internet Bird Collection.
- Eupsittula canicularis photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Orange-fronted parakeet species account at Neotropical Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
- Interactive range map of Eupsittula canicularis at IUCN Red List maps