White-eared Parakeet
Encyclopedia
The White-eared Parakeet or Maroon-faced Parakeet (Pyrrhura leucotis) is a small parrot
belonging to the genus Pyrrhura
. As here defined, it is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil
. The Venezuelan, Grey-breasted
and Pfrimer's Parakeet
s were formerly classed as subspecies
of this bird but are increasingly treated as separate species.
is mostly green. The chest has dark grey and whitish scaling on a green background, and the rump and belly are maroon
. The face and throat are dark maroon, the forehead is bluish and there is a whitish ear-patch. The long, graduated tail has a red underside. The bird has a sharp call which is repeated three or four times.
The Grey-breasted Parakeet is very similar but is proportionally larger-headed, has a longer bill with a deeper mandible, lacks blue to the forecrown (as do the occasional White-eared Parakeet), and its breast is entirely scaled dark grey and whitish (little or no green background). Pfrimer's Parakeet essentially lacks a whitish ear-patch, and is therefore easily separated from the White-eared Parakeet.
where it occurs from Rio de Janeiro
state north to Bahia
. It inhabits the canopy of humid forest
s from the lowlands up to 500 metres above sea-level. It usually forages in flocks. Its population has declined recently because of deforestation
.
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...
belonging to the genus Pyrrhura
Pyrrhura
Pyrrhura is a genus of parrots in the Arini tribe. They occur in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America . Most are restricted to humid forest and adjacent habitats, but one species, the Blaze-winged Parakeet, prefers deciduous or gallery woodland, and another, the...
. As here defined, it is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. The Venezuelan, Grey-breasted
Grey-breasted Parakeet
The 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...
and 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...
s were formerly classed as subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of this bird but are increasingly treated as separate species.
Description
It is 21-22 centimetres long. The plumagePlumage
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...
is mostly green. The chest has dark grey and whitish scaling on a green background, and the rump and belly are maroon
Maroon (color)
Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
. The face and throat are dark maroon, the forehead is bluish and there is a whitish ear-patch. The long, graduated tail has a red underside. The bird has a sharp call which is repeated three or four times.
The Grey-breasted Parakeet is very similar but is proportionally larger-headed, has a longer bill with a deeper mandible, lacks blue to the forecrown (as do the occasional White-eared Parakeet), and its breast is entirely scaled dark grey and whitish (little or no green background). Pfrimer's Parakeet essentially lacks a whitish ear-patch, and is therefore easily separated from the White-eared Parakeet.
Habitat and range
It is found in eastern BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
where it occurs from Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
state north to Bahia
Bahia
Bahia is one of the 26 states of Brazil, and is located in the northeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. It is the fourth most populous Brazilian state after São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, and the fifth-largest in size...
. It inhabits the canopy of humid forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s from the lowlands up to 500 metres above sea-level. It usually forages in flocks. Its population has declined recently because of deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
.