Brotogeris pyrrhoptera
The Grey-cheeked Parakeet, Brotogeris pyrrhoptera, is a vibrant and highly social small parrot endemic to the tropical dry and humid forests of western Ecuador and extreme northwestern Peru. Averaging about 20 cm (8 inches) in length and weighing 50-70 grams, this species is primarily emerald green, with its namesake greyish-brown cheeks extending to the throat. Its most striking and definitive field mark is a brilliant orange-red patch on the carpal joint and underwing coverts, conspicuously...
Found in tropical dry and humid forests, forest edges, secondary growth, and agricultural areas, generally at low to mid-elevations up to 1000 meters.
Primarily frugivorous and granivorous, feeding on a wide array of fruits, seeds, flowers, buds, and nectar from both native and cultivated plants, occasionally supplementing with insects.
Highly gregarious, Grey-cheeked Parakeets are typically observed in pairs or small to medium-sized flocks, which can swell to larger numbers at communal roosts or abundant feeding sites. They are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging with noisy chatter, and are known for their swift, dir...
The Grey-cheeked Parakeet is strictly endemic to a relatively small region along the Pacific slope of western Ecuador and the extreme northwestern edge of Peru. Its primary distribution covers the Ecuadorian provinces of Manabí, Guayas, Santa Elena, El Oro, and Loja, extending south into the Tumb...
Endangered
- The Grey-cheeked Parakeet's bright orange-red wing patch is unique among its Brotogeris relatives, acting as a vibrant identifier in flight. - Despite its small size, it is known for its exceptionally loud and persistent vocalizations, often heard before the bird is seen. - This species is high...