Forpus coelestis
The Pacific Parrotlet, *Forpus coelestis*, is a diminutive yet vibrant parrot native to western South America, often celebrated for its 'big bird in a small body' personality. Averaging 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 inches) in length and weighing 25-35 grams (0.9-1.2 oz), it is one of the smallest true parrots in the Neotropics. Its plumage is predominantly a brilliant emerald green, providing excellent camouflage amidst tropical foliage. A key identification feature, indicative of sexual dimorphism, is ...
Found primarily in dry tropical deciduous forests, arid scrublands, thorny woodlands, and open agricultural areas, typically at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet).
Their diet consists mainly of grass seeds, small fruits, berries, flower buds, and blossoms, occasionally supplemented with insects and their larvae. They forage by climbing, clinging, and pecking from various plants and on the ground.
Pacific Parrotlets are diurnal and highly social, often observed in small to medium-sized flocks outside the breeding season, roosting communally in dense foliage or tree cavities at night. They are active foragers, gleaning seeds, fruits, and flowers from vegetation or the ground with remarkable...
The Pacific Parrotlet is a resident species, primarily distributed along the Pacific coast of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Its breeding and year-round range extends from Esmeraldas Province in northern Ecuador, south through the coastal lowlands and foothills of Guayas, El Oro, and Loja...
Least Concern
- Pacific Parrotlets are among the smallest true parrots in South America, often affectionately called 'pocket parrots'. - Males sport striking cobalt blue markings on their wings and behind their eyes, a feature largely absent in females, making sexual identification straightforward. - Despite t...