Cart Is Empty
In issue 315 -
Security – with crime on the increase we must keep our wits about us. By Tony Edwards
In issue 315 -
Paradise Park – fifty-one years after it was founded. By Rosemary Low
In issue 315 -
Avoid Feeding All Types of Cabbage to Parrots. The Holistic Parrot by Leslie Moran
In issue 315 -
Utilise Your Parrot’s Aptitude. Complete Psittacine by Eb Cravens
Subscribe To Parrots Magazine - Don't miss a thing

Orange-fronted parakeets

Spreads for web 1

By Robert Alison

Orange-fronted parakeets (Eupsittula canicularis) are colourful social Neotropical psittacids that are distributed from northern Mexico to Costa Rica. They regularly occur in flocks of up to 50 individuals that forage conspicuously in scattered or patchy trees along roads or forest edges bordering savannas. I have encountered them routinely in the Tarcoles River – Carara (Putarenas) region of Costa Rica. They are the most abundant psittacids on the Pacific Slope of Central America.

Unlike other Neotropical psittacids, which are generally inactive during the hottest part of the day, these parakeets are perky and energetic dawn until dusk, foraging noisily on Ficus, Burseria and various seeds and flowers of Gliricula and Combretum. I have found them to be tame and approachable. But from time to time, entire flocks scatter in frantic flight from foraging or loafing sites, while emitting harsh piercing chirps. Often this abrupt behaviour is caused by the approach of an avian predator. Continuous low chattering vocalisations betray the presence of loafing or foraging flocks where pairs emit a variety of chirrups and twitters.

These parakeets generally nest in the dry season, according to local residents of the Pacific Slope Costa Rica. The wettest month in the Costa Rican range of this species is October and the dry Season usually begins in January, when daytime temperatures peak around 30 degrees C. Nest cavities are excavated in trees by both pair members, but sometimes old woodpecker cavities are used.

Buy Now!

Promotions

Newsletter

Subscribe Now

Subscribe to parrots magazine

Subscribe today to the best most widely read magazine for parrot lovers.

 
 

Our Address

Parrots magazine is published by
Imax Visual Ltd, West Building,
Elm Grove Lane, Steyning BN44 3SA

Telephone +44 (0)1273 464777
© Parrots magazine 2023