Alipiopsitta xanthops
The Yellow-faced Parrot (*Alipiopsitta xanthops*) is a striking medium-sized Neotropical parrot, typically measuring 25-27 cm (10-10.5 inches) in length and weighing approximately 180-260 grams. Its plumage is predominantly green, distinguished by a vibrant yellow face that extends to the forecrown and lores, which gives the species its evocative common name and serves as a primary field mark. Further identification cues include bright red primary coverts and a distinctive orange-yellow patch...
This species primarily inhabits dry deciduous woodlands, cerrado savannas, and gallery forests, often favoring areas near rivers or stands of Mauritia palms. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1000 meters.
The diet of the Yellow-faced Parrot consists predominantly of seeds, nuts, fruits, flowers, and buds, with a notable specialization on the hard nuts of *Mauritia flexuosa* palm. They forage methodically within the tree canopy, utilizing their powerful bills to access tough food items.
Yellow-faced Parrots are diurnal, dedicating their daylight hours to foraging and social interactions within the canopy. They are frequently observed in pairs or small family groups, occasionally converging into larger flocks at abundant food sources or for communal roosting in tall trees, partic...
The Yellow-faced Parrot is endemic to central South America, exhibiting a fragmented and patchy distribution across specific regions of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. In Brazil, its primary range extends through the states of Mato Grosso, Goiás, Tocantins, Maranhão, Piauí, and Bahia, predominantl...
Vulnerable
- The Yellow-faced Parrot underwent a significant taxonomic reclassification, moving from the well-known *Amazona* genus to its own monotypic genus, *Alipiopsitta*, after genetic studies revealed its distinct evolutionary lineage. - It possesses an incredibly powerful beak capable of cracking ope...