Mitred Parakeet

Overview

Mitred Parakeet: Fairly large green parakeet with red forehead grading into scattered bright red feathers on crown, face, cheek, sometimes on the bend in the wing. Dull green underparts are faintly washed olive. Hooked bill is dull yellow. Legs and feet are gray. Feeds on fruits, berries and nuts.

Range and Habitat

Mitred Parakeet: In its native range occurs in mountain valleys in a narrow band from southern Peru to northern Argentina. Populations of escaped birds also established in Los Angeles, California, and south Florida. Prefers dry subtropical forest, but also uses cultivated areas and grasslands with scattered trees. Frequently found near rocky cliffs.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Mitred Parakeet is social and typically seen in small flocks, but may gather in groups of up to 100 outside the breeding period. Rarely, flocks of up to 2000 may gather at roosting places.
Popular as as pet, they are considered outgoing and playful. They are even used as "watch birds", given their loud, piercing alarm call.
The taxonomy has recently undergone significant changes with the description of two new subspecies, and the proposed elevation of the taxon alticola, traditionally considered a subspecies, to species status; the Chapman's Parakeet.
A group of parakeets is collectively known as a "chatter" and a "flock" of parakeets.

The Mitred Parakeet has a large range, estimated globally at 250,000 square kilometers. Native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru, this bird prefers subtropical or tropical forest and shrubland ecosystems, though it sometimes resides in degraded former forests as well. The global population of this bird has not been precisely determined, but does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Mitred Parakeet is Least Concern.