Orange-fronted Parakeet
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| Aratinga canicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis), also known as the Half-moon Conure, is a medium-sized parrot which is a resident from western Mexico to Costa Rica.
It is found in lowlands and foothills on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges in forest canopy and edges, and more open woodland, including savanna and second growth. The 3-5 white eggs are laid in an unlined nest cavity, usually self-excavated in an arboreal termite nest, but sometimes in an old woodpecker hole or natural cavity.
Orange-fronted Parakeets are 22.5 cm long and weigh 80 g. The adult is mainly green, paler and yellower below and with an olive tone to the breast. The wings have blue outer primaries and yellow linings, and the pointed tail is tipped with blue. The head is distinctive, with a blue crown, orange forehead, bare yellow eye-ring, yellow iris and white bill. Young birds are similar to the adults, but with much less orange on the forehead.
The Orange-fronted Parakeet feeds in flocks which can reach 100 birds outside the breeding season, taking various seeds, flowers and fruits including figs. Its flight call is a raucous can-can-can, and when perched it has a reedy zeeweet.
The population has decreased in many areas due to persecution for the pet trade.
[edit] References
- Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN 0-8014-9600-4
