Andean Parakeet Parrot

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Psittaciformes

Superfamily

Psittacoidea

Family

Psittacidae

Subfamily

Arinae

Genus

Bolborhynchus

Species

B. orbygnesius

Binomial name

Bolborhynchus orbygnesius

Size

17cm (6.63 in)

Races including nominate
one

Range

South America : Peru to Northcentral Bolivia

About

The Andean Parakeet (Bolborhynchus orbygnesius) is a small 160 mm (6 in) parrot found in the upland wooded valleys of the central eastern Andes in Bolivia and Peru, at elevations of1,500 m (4,900 ft) to 5,000 m (16,400 ft). It is solid green, darker above and lighter below, with some blue visible on wings when flying. It has a pale bill and medium length tail. It is stockier and darker than the Mountain Parakeet.

Most flocks are small, but sometimes include over 300 individuals. The Andean Parakeet eats seeds, buds, and berries, and it breeds in burrows in steep banks.

Colourization Adult

Both adults green in general; yellow tinge to forehead and lores, less evident in female; blue/green greater under wing coverts and undersides of flight feathers. Bill pale yellow/green with grey at base. Eye dark brown.

Colourization Juvenile

As in adults but with shorter tail.

Habitat

The Andean Parakeet is uncommon to locally common from 3,000-4,000m in semi-arid cloud forests, especially with polylepis, or in brushy montane ravines. It forages in small groups or pairs in bamboo thickets or leguminaceous trees, and occasionally on the ground, and nests in deep burrows in steep embankments.

Reproduction

The Andean parakeet is one of those parakeets that nests underground. A burrow will be formed in a steep bank. A clutch of up to ten eggs (but generally 4 to 6) may be laid. The eggs are incubated by the hen for about 20 days

Feeding habits

Diet consists of seeds, buds and berries. Gregarious; seen in pairs, small groups and occasionally large flocks of over 300 birds. Feeds in bamboo, brambles and leguminaceous trees. Forages in vegetation or on the ground.