Orange-fronted parakeet

The orange-fronted parakeet or orange-fronted conure (Eupsittula canicularis), also known as the half-moon conure, is a medium-sized parrot that is resident from western Mexico to Costa Rica.

This article is about the Central American bird. For the New Zealand bird, see Malherbe's parakeet.

Orange-fronted parakeet
In a tree feeding on seeds, Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Eupsittula
Species:
E. canicularis
Binomial name
Eupsittula canicularis
Synonyms
  • Aratinga canicularis (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Psittacus canicularis Linnaeus, 1758
  • Psittacus petzii Leiblein, 1832

Taxonomy

The orange-fronted parakeet was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae. He placed it with all the other parrots in the genus Psittacus and coined the binomial name Psittacus canicularis.[2] The type locality is northwestern Costa Rica.[3] Linnaeus based his description on the "red and blue-headed parakeet" that had been described and illustrated in 1751 by the English naturalist George Edwards in the fourth part of his A Natural History of Common Birds.[4] The orange-fronted parakeet is now one of five species placed in the genus Eupsittula that was introduced in 1853 by the French naturalist Charles Lucien Bonaparte.[5][6] The genus name combines the Ancient Greek eu meaning "good" with the Modern Latin psittula meaning "little parrot". The specific epithet canicularis is Latin meaning "of the bright star Sirius".[7]

Three subspecies are recognised:[6]

  • E. c. clarae (Moore, RT, 1937) – west-central Mexico
  • E. c. eburnirostrum (Lesson, R, 1842) – southwest Mexico
  • E. c. canicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) – south Mexico to west Costa Rica

Description

The orange-fronted parakeet is 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) long and weighs 68–80 grams (2.4–2.8 oz). 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.[8]

Habitat and range

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.

Behaviour

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.

Breeding

The 3–5 white eggs are laid in an unlined nest cavity, usually self-excavated in an arboreal termite nest of the termite species Nasutitermes nigriceps,[9] but sometimes in an old woodpecker hole or natural cavity.

Aviculture

The orange-fronted parakeet (more commonly known as the half-moon conure in aviculture) is sometimes kept as a companion parrot. An excitable, energetic bird that enjoys climbing and playing, it tends to be quieter than some other conure species and is good-natured when properly socialized. It is not noted as a talking bird, but may mimic a few words or sounds. In order to remain healthy, it requires regular mental stimulation and time outside of its cage in which to fly.[10]

The population has decreased in many areas due to persecution for the pet trade.

  • Two birds in Mexico
  • Pet orange-fronted parakeet
  • Pet orange-fronted parakeet in a cage in Guatemala
  • Pet orange-fronted parakeet in garden
  • Chocoyo in El Crucero, Nicaragua

See also

References
  1. BirdLife International (2020). "Eupsittula canicularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22685739A182075618. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22685739A182075618.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Linnaeus, Carl (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis (in Latin). Vol. 1 (10th ed.). Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 98.
  3. Peters, James Lee, ed. (1937). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 3. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 189.
  4. Edwards, George (1751). A Natural History of Uncommon Birds. Vol. 4. London: Printed for the author at the College of Physicians. p. 176.
  5. Bonaparte, Charles Lucien (1853). "Notes sur les collections rapportées en 1853, par M. A. Delattre". Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l'Académie des Sciences (in French). 37: 806–810 [807].
  6. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2022). "Parrots, cockatoos". IOC World Bird List Version 12.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  7. Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 153, 88. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  8. Collar, N.J. (1997). "Orange-fronted Parakeet". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. p. 435. ISBN 978-84-87334-22-1.
  9. Sanchez-Martinez, Tania; Renton, Katherine (2009). "Availability and selection of arboreal termitaria as nest-sites by Orange-fronted Parakeets Aratinga canicularis in conserved and modified landscapes in Mexico". Ibis. 151 (2): 311–320. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00911.x.
  10. Kruzer, RVT, LVT, Adrienne. "Half-Moon Conure Species Profile". The Spruce Pets. Retrieved 15 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Stiles, F. Gary; Skutch, Alexander F. (1989). A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Comstock Publishing Associates. ISBN 0-8014-9600-4.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.