Grey-cheeked Parakeet

Taxobox
name = Grey-cheeked Parakeet


image_width = 300px
status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Brotogeris"
species = "B. pyrrhoptera"
binomial = "Brotogeris pyrrhoptera"
binomial_authority = (Latham, 1801)
synonyms =

The Grey-cheeked Parakeet ("Brotogeris pyrrhoptera"), less commonly known as Fire-winged Parakeet, is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.

Taxonomy

The Grey-cheeked Parakeet was described and named by John Latham in 1801.

Description

It is mostly green in color with characteristic gray cheeks and a gray-blue crown. The underside of the wings bears a bright orange swath between the lesser coverts and the mantle earning them the name "Orange-flanked parakeet", and the primary flight feathers are normally blue or bluish green in color. Indeed, the species name pyrrhoptera, (lit. flame wing) gives light to these attributes. The average wingspan, length, and weight are 117 mm., 20 cm., and 54 grams, respectively. [Harris, pp. 6-7] The average lifespan in captivity is approximately 23 years. Grey-cheeks vocalize quite loudly despite their size. The sound could be described as a quick, sharp screech, and vocalizations may involve many monotone screeches in succession.

Distribution and habitat

The Grey-cheeked Parakeet is indigenous to northwestern Peru and western Ecuador, living in subtropical or tropical regions encompassing dry forests, moist lowland forests, shrubland, and arable land. [Birdlife (through IUCN)]

Breeding

Grey-cheeked Parakeets do not build their nests in the canopies of trees. Rather, they prefer to build their nests in protected areas such as active termite mounds or tree hollows. It is yet unknown why termites tolerate their presence. [Harris, p. 89] Their eggs, which are about 2 cm. x 1.6 cm. are laid in clutches of four to six eggs in a nest padded with moss. The hen will incubate the eggs for about 25-26 days [Harris, p. 105] while the male stands guard outside the nest. [Vriends, p. 210]

Endangerment

The grey-cheeked parakeet now faces habitat loss due to the irresponsible smuggling of pet birds and hunting due to their destruction of banana plantations. [Vriends, p. 210] The species is now endangered with most populations existing within the homes of private individuals as pets. Because of this, efforts have been undertaken to save this and several other species of "Brotogeris" endemic to the region. [BirdLife] It is protected by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also called the Bonn Convention or CMS). [cite web |url= http://www.cms.int/documents/appendix/additions_table.pdf |title =CMS Appendix I |date = 2006-02-23]

Aviculture

Even in its native home, the grey-cheeked parakeet is widely kept as a pet. With patience, these birds may be taught to mimic human sounds, albeit without the clarity of larger parrots. [Vriends, p. 210]

Notes

References

* cite book
title= Parrakeets of the World (sic)
last= Vriends
first= Matthew M.
year= 1979
publisher= T.F.H. Publications, Inc
location= Neptune, NJ.
isbn= 0-87666-999-2

* cite book
last = Harris
first = Robbie
title = Grey-cheeked Parakeets and other Brotogeris
publisher = T.F.H Publications, Inc., Ltd
location = Neptune, NJ.
date = 1985
isbn = 0-86622-089-5

* cite web
url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/3116/all%20Brotogeris%20pyrrhoptera
title= 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
accessdate=2007-07-24
work= IUCN 2007
publisher = BirdLife International 2004

* cite web
url=http://www.birdlife.org/news/pr/2006/03/peru.html
title= Conservation effort launched to protect Peru's 'forgotten' forests
accessdate=2007-12-18
publisher = BirdLife International

External links

* [http://www.cityparrots.org/post/grey-cheeked-parakeets-in-guayaquil Grey-cheeked Parakeets in Guayaquil]
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1624&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]