Grey-breasted Parakeet

Taxobox
name = Grey-breasted Parakeet


status = CR
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Pyrrhura"
species = "P. griseipectus"
binomial = "Pyrrhura griseipectus"
binomial_authority = Salvadori, 1900
synonyms ="Pyrrhura leucotis griseipectus"

The Grey-breasted Parakeet ("Pyrrhura griseipectus") 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 the White-eared Parakeet, as "Pyrrhura leucotis griseipectus". The split was based on range and subtle differences in colour of crown, ear-coverts and chest. A recent study based on mtDNA has failed to confirm the status of the Grey-breated Parakeet as a species distinct from the White-eared Parakeet, while confirming the species status of Pfrimer's Parakeet.

This parrot is classified as Critically Endangered by BirdLife International. It has an extremely small population and occupies a very small known range. The population is estimated to be less than 250 adult birds.

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=32204&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* South American Classification Committee: [http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCprop181.html Treat Pyrrhura griseipectus and P. pfrimeri as distinct species from Pyrrhura leucotis.]
* Ribas, C. C., L. Joseph, C. Y. Miyaki (2006). "Molecular sytematics and patterns of diversification in "Pyrrhura" (Psittacidae), with special reference to the "picta-leucotis" complex." The Auk 123(3): 660-680.