Pyrrhura
Encyclopedia
Pyrrhura is a genus
of parrot
s in the Arini tribe. They occur in tropical and subtropical South America
and southern Central America
(Panama
and Costa Rica
). Most are restricted to humid forest and adjacent habitats, but one species, the Blaze-winged Parakeet
, prefers deciduous
or gallery woodland
, and another, the Pfrimer's Parakeet
, is restricted to dry regions. Some species are highly endangered.
Depending on the species, the total length range from 22 to 30 cm (8½-12 in). All have long, pointed tails, a mainly green plumage
, and a relatively narrow, dark greyish to white eye-ring. Many have scaly or barred chest-patterns and a whitish, pale grey, buff or reddish ear-patch.
They typically move around in small, noisy flocks, flying swiftly at or below canopy
level. Once settled in a tree they tend to be silent (especially if aware of danger) and difficult to spot. They nest in a tree-crevice.
Some species are popular in aviculture
where they commonly are referred to as conure
s instead of parakeets.
The taxonomy
of some groups, in particular the Pyrrhura picta
and the P. leucotis
complexes
, has changed significantly in recent years. In late 2008 it was proposed that the members of the P. picta complex from north-eastern Peru
(the so-called "group 6" in Joseph, 2002) should be considered a new species
, the Amazon Red-fronted Parakeet, P. parvifrons. This has yet to receive widespread recognition (e.g. by SACC
), and consequently it is not included in the below list.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of parrot
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
s in the Arini tribe. They occur in tropical and subtropical South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and southern Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
(Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
and Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
). Most are restricted to humid forest and adjacent habitats, but one species, the Blaze-winged Parakeet
Blaze-winged Parakeet
The Blaze-winged Parakeet , more commonly known as the Blaze-winged Conure in aviculture, is a species of parrot found in wooded habitats in the Pantanal-region of Brazil and Paraguay...
, prefers deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
or gallery woodland
Gallery forest
Gallery forests are evergreen forests that form as corridors along rivers or wetlands and project into landscapes that are otherwise only sparsely treed such as savannas, grasslands or deserts....
, and another, the Pfrimer's Parakeet
Pfrimer's Parakeet
The Pfrimer's Parakeet , in aviculture also known as Pfrimer's Conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to Goiás and Tocantins in Brazil. It is restricted to deciduous and semi-deciduous Caatinga forest.It has often been considered a subspecies of the White-eared...
, is restricted to dry regions. Some species are highly endangered.
Depending on the species, the total length range from 22 to 30 cm (8½-12 in). All have long, pointed tails, a mainly green plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
, and a relatively narrow, dark greyish to white eye-ring. Many have scaly or barred chest-patterns and a whitish, pale grey, buff or reddish ear-patch.
They typically move around in small, noisy flocks, flying swiftly at or below canopy
Canopy (forest)
In biology, the canopy is the aboveground portion of a plant community or crop, formed by plant crowns.For forests, canopy also refers to the upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms .Sometimes the term canopy is used to refer to the extent...
level. Once settled in a tree they tend to be silent (especially if aware of danger) and difficult to spot. They nest in a tree-crevice.
Some species are popular in aviculture
Aviculture
Aviculture is the practice of keeping and breeding birds and the culture that forms around it. Aviculture is generally focused on not only the raising and breeding of birds, but also on preserving avian habitat, and public awareness campaigns....
where they commonly are referred to as conure
Conure
Conures are a diverse, loosely-defined group of small to medium-sized parrots. They belong to several genera within a long-tailed group of the New World Parrot subfamily Arinae. The term "conure" is used primarily in bird keeping, though it has appeared in some scientific journals...
s instead of parakeets.
The taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of some groups, in particular the Pyrrhura picta
Painted Parakeet
The Painted Parakeet , more commonly known as the Painted Conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in the Psittacidae family, the true parrots. Its taxonomy is highly complex, and has undergone significant changes in recent years. As here defined, it is restricted to forests in northern South...
and the P. leucotis
White-eared Parakeet
The White-eared Parakeet or Maroon-faced Parakeet is a small parrot belonging to the genus Pyrrhura. As here defined, it is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil...
complexes
Species complex
A species complex is a group of closely related species, where the exact demarcation between species is often unclear or cryptic owing to their recent and usually still incomplete reproductive isolation. Ring species, superspecies and cryptic species complex are example of species complex...
, has changed significantly in recent years. In late 2008 it was proposed that the members of the P. picta complex from north-eastern Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
(the so-called "group 6" in Joseph, 2002) should be considered a new species
Bird species new to science described in the 2000s
This page details the bird species described as new to science in the years 2000 to 2010:-Number of species described per year:-Countries with high numbers of newly described species:* Brazil* Colombia* Peru* Indonesia-2000:...
, the Amazon Red-fronted Parakeet, P. parvifrons. This has yet to receive widespread recognition (e.g. by SACC
American Ornithologists' Union
The American Ornithologists' Union is an ornithological organization in the USA. Unlike the National Audubon Society, its members are primarily professional ornithologists rather than amateur birders...
), and consequently it is not included in the below list.
Species
- Blue-throated Parakeet, Pyrrhura cruentata.
- Maroon-bellied ParakeetMaroon-bellied ParakeetThe Maroon-bellied Parakeet is a small parrot found from southeastern Brazil to north-eastern Argentina, including eastern Paraguay and Uruguay...
, Pyrrhura frontalis. - Blaze-winged ParakeetBlaze-winged ParakeetThe Blaze-winged Parakeet , more commonly known as the Blaze-winged Conure in aviculture, is a species of parrot found in wooded habitats in the Pantanal-region of Brazil and Paraguay...
, Pyrrhura devillei – traditionally a subspecies of P. frontalis. - Crimson-bellied ParakeetCrimson-bellied ParakeetThe Crimson-bellied Parakeet , more commonly known as the Crimson-bellied Conure in aviculture, is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is found in forests in the south-central Amazon Basin in Brazil and Bolivia. It remains locally fairly common, and is consequently considered to be of...
, Pyrrhura perlata – formerly P. rhodogaster. - Pearly ParakeetPearly ParakeetThe Pearly Parakeet , more commonly known as the Pearly Conure in aviculture, is a species of parrot that is endemic to east Amazonian forests in Brazil. Its taxonomic history is potentially confusing...
, Pyrrhura lepida – formerly P. perlata. - Green-cheeked ParakeetGreen-cheeked ParakeetThe Green-cheeked Conure , is a small parrot of the genus Pyrrhura.They belong to several genera within a long-tailed group of the New World Parrot subfamily Arinae. The term "conure" is used primarily in bird keeping, though it has appeared in scientific journals...
, Pyrrhura molinae. - Painted ParakeetPainted ParakeetThe Painted Parakeet , more commonly known as the Painted Conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in the Psittacidae family, the true parrots. Its taxonomy is highly complex, and has undergone significant changes in recent years. As here defined, it is restricted to forests in northern South...
, Pyrrhura picta.- Venezuelan Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) emma – traditionally a subspecies of P. leucotis.
- Sinú Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) subandina – possibly extinct.
- Todd's (Perijá) Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) caeruleiceps.
- Azuero Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) eisenmanni.
- Santarém (Hellmayr's) Parakeet, Pyrrhura amazonum – traditionally a subspecies of P. picta.
- Madeira Parakeet, Pyrrhura (amazonum) snethlageae.
- Bonaparte's (Deville's) Parakeet, Pyrrhura lucianii – traditionally a subspecies of P. picta.
- Rose-fronted Parakeet, Pyrrhura roseifrons – traditionally a subspecies of P. picta.
- Wavy-breasted Parakeet, Pyrrhura (roseifrons) peruviana.
- White-eared (Maroon-faced) ParakeetWhite-eared ParakeetThe White-eared Parakeet or Maroon-faced Parakeet is a small parrot belonging to the genus Pyrrhura. As here defined, it is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil...
, Pyrrhura leucotis.- Grey-breasted ParakeetGrey-breasted ParakeetThe Grey-breasted Parakeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to Ceará in north-eastern Brazil and restricted to a few mountains with relatively humid forest and woodland in a region otherwise dominated by arid Caatinga.Until recently, it was considered a subspecies of...
, Pyrrhura (leucotis) griseipectus.
- Grey-breasted Parakeet
- Pfrimer's ParakeetPfrimer's ParakeetThe Pfrimer's Parakeet , in aviculture also known as Pfrimer's Conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to Goiás and Tocantins in Brazil. It is restricted to deciduous and semi-deciduous Caatinga forest.It has often been considered a subspecies of the White-eared...
, Pyrrhura pfrimeri – traditionally a subspecies of P. leucotis. - Fiery-shouldered ParakeetFiery-shouldered ParakeetThe Fiery-shouldered Parakeet is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:...
, Pyrrhura egregia. - Santa Marta ParakeetSanta Marta ParakeetThe Santa Marta Parakeet is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Pyrrhura viridicata. - Maroon-tailed ParakeetMaroon-tailed ParakeetThe Maroon-tailed Parakeet is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela....
, Pyrrhura melanura. - El Oro ParakeetEl Oro ParakeetThe El Oro Parakeet, Conure D'Orcès, Cotorra De El Oro, or Perico De El Oro is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family, endemic to Ecuador...
, Pyrrhura orcesi. - Black-capped (Rock) ParakeetBlack-capped ParakeetThe Black-capped Parakeet or Rock Parakeet , also known as the Black-capped Conure or Rock Conure in aviculture, is a parrot native to the south-western Amazon Basin and adjacent east Andean slopes in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil...
, Pyrrhura rupicola. - White-necked ParakeetWhite-necked ParakeetThe White-breasted Parakeet or White-necked Parakeet is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is found in southern Ecuador and adjacent northern Peru....
, Pyrrhura albipectus. - Flame-winged (Brown-breasted) ParakeetFlame-winged ParakeetThe Flame-winged Parakeet , also known as the Brown-breasted Parakeet, is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is endemic to forest edge and shrub at altitudes of 1700–3400 m. on the east Andean slope in Colombia. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* BirdLife...
, Pyrrhura calliptera. - Red-eared ParakeetRed-eared ParakeetThe Blood-eared Parakeet or Red-eared Parakeet is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.It is endemic to Venezuela....
, Pyrrhura hoematotis. - Rose-headed (Rose-crowned) ParakeetRose-headed ParakeetThe Rose-crowned Parakeet also known as Rose-headed Parakeet, Conure Tête-de-feu, Rose-Crowned Conure, or Perico Cabecirrojo is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.It is endemic to Venezuela....
, Pyrrhura rhodocephala. - Sulphur-winged ParakeetSulphur-winged ParakeetThe Sulphur-winged Parakeet , also known as the Hoffmann's Conure in aviculture, is a medium-small parrot endemic to humid highland forests and woodlands in Costa Rica and western Panama. It occurs up to 3000 m asl, and locally down to 1300 m in the wet season...
, Pyrrhura hoffmanni.