Ognorhynchus icterotis
The Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) is a striking medium-sized parrot, measuring approximately 42 cm (16.5 in) in length and weighing around 280 grams (10 oz). Its plumage is predominantly a vibrant emerald green, contrasting sharply with a brilliant, distinctive yellow ear patch that extends from behind the eye to the side of the neck. This vivid yellow patch, along with a pale eye-ring and a long, pointed tail, serves as its primary field mark. The large, black bill is powerful...
This species inhabits humid, high-altitude cloud forests and sub-páramo forests in the tropical Andes, typically found between 1,800 and 3,000 meters (5,900-9,800 feet) above sea level, always in association with stands of Wax Palms.
The Yellow-eared Parrot feeds almost exclusively on the fruits and seeds of the Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense), supplementing this with fruits, flowers, and seeds from other high-altitude trees and shrubs when available.
Yellow-eared Parrots are highly social and diurnal, often observed in noisy flocks outside the breeding season, which can number from a few individuals to over a hundred. They typically roost communally in tall trees at night, descending to forage as the sun rises. Their foraging strategy primari...
The Yellow-eared Parrot's geographic distribution is highly fragmented, confined to specific high-altitude cloud forests of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. In Colombia, it is found in the central and western cordilleras, with significant populations in departments such as Tolima, Quindío, Cald...
Endangered
- The Yellow-eared Parrot was thought to be extinct for nearly a decade before its dramatic rediscovery in 1998, sparking a global conservation effort. - It is an obligate cavity nester, meaning it *must* nest in the hollow trunks of dead or dying Wax Palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense), the world's ta...