Green-cheeked Parakeet

The Green-cheeked Parakeet, is a small parrot of the genus Pyrrhura. The name Green-cheeked Parakeet is primarily used in aviculture, while the name Green-cheeked Conure is used elsewhere. It is mainly green, with short transverse striations on its breast, brown crown, maroon tail, and blue flight feathers. It is native to forests of South America.

Description

The Green-cheeked Parakeet is 26 cm (10 in) long and weighs 60 to 80g. It has a brown crown, white bare eye-rings, green cheeks, blue primary wing feathers, and its long pointed tail is mostly brownish-red. It has short transverse striations on its breast and a red abdominal area. Males and females have an identical external appearance.

Distribution and habitat

The Green-cheeked Parakeet occurs in west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, through northern and eastern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina and northern Paraguay. Its habitat is forests and woodland, where it usually forms flocks of 10 to 20 individuals at treetop level, or larger flocks where there is plenty of food.

Behaviour

The Green-cheeked Parakeet eats various seeds and fruits and probably other kinds of vegetable matter. The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days.