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Species Spotlight: Yellow-chevroned & White-winged Parakeets
By
Leona Heraty, SCP Volunteer
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Introduction
The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri) and the White-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus) are two species that are so closely related they were considered conspecific (of, or belonging to the same species) until 1997.
Both species are sexually dimorphic and must be sexed surgically or by DNA. In the U.S., where they have become naturalized in some areas, both species can sometimes be seen nesting in the same tree! So, let's take a look at some of the ways they are similar and how they're different.
What Are Their Native Range and Habitat?
The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet is native to South America and can be mostly found south of the Amazon region, from Bolivia and southern and eastern Brazil to Paraguay and northern Argentina. This lovely bird lives in gallery forests and open woodlands and savannas throughout Central South America. However, it may also prefer disturbed savannas and towns. Control, click here to see the Yellow-chevroned parakeet in the wild.
The White-winged Parakeet (a.k.a. the Canary-winged Parakeet) is also native to South America, but can be found in the Northern Amazon region, from southeastern Columbia and northeastern Peru east to the Amazon River mouth. It lives in humid lowland forests and the forests' edge and second growth areas. This beautiful bird can also be found in savannas, seasonally flooded forests and river islands. Watch the video below to see the White-winged Parakeet in the wild.
What Do They Look Like?
At first glance, both species look so much alike, it may be difficult to tell them apart. Both have the same yellow secondary covert feathers, but the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet lacks the white color on the primary feathers of its wings. Also, the White-winged Parakeet tends to be slightly larger than the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet.
The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet is a medium size parrot and is
20 to 25 cm (7 to 9 in. approx.) long and weighs 72 grams (2.5 oz.). Brighter green than most parakeets, it gets its name from a yellow bar on the "wrist" which is visible when it's perched.
When the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet is flying, the bar opens up and is visible from above as bright yellow greater coverts in the upper surface only. The outer primary feathers are darker green. Finally, it has an orange-brown hooked bill and pinkish-grey legs and feet.
The boldly-marked White-winged Parakeet is the largest parakeet in the Brotogeris family and is 21 to 25 cm (8 to 9 in. approx.) long and weighs 65 to 75 grams (2.2 to 2.6 oz.). This bird gets its name from its most distinguishing characteristic, the white wing patches that are most noticeable when it's in flight.
This avian is lime green in color and has a little darker green on the breast and underneath. There are some blue marks under the tail and possibly on the wings. Its hooked bill varies in color from yellow-pink to olive-brown and it has pinkish-grey legs and feet.
What Is Their Natural Diet?
Here's where both species are the same - in the wild, they enjoy the same diet:
- Seeds (includes sprouted seeds)
- Fruits (includes figs and berries)
- Flowers (nectar, plant matter and greens)
- Minerals & Grit (They often visit barreiros, which are areas where mineral rich soil is readily available. They also visit river banks to feed on soil.)
- Algae
- Insects & their larvae
What Do They Sound Like?
In flight, the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet has a high-pitched, metallic chattering call that comes in rapid succession. Interestingly, it sounds somewhat like the second half of its scientific name - chiriri. This parakeet may also make abrupt, loud squawks when taking flight and emit low, chattering notes while feeding. Control, click here, and then click the Listen button to hear its call.
Similar to the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, the White-winged parakeet emits a screeching call that sounds like a rapid series of shrill metallic notes in flight. Control, click
here, and then click the Listen button to hear its call.
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Volunteer at SoCal Parrot
Do you have a love for southern California's wild parrots?
Have you been looking for a new and different way to give back to your community?
Are you looking to gain more experience in Animal Care or public speaking?
If so, we would love for you to join our amazing team of volunteers!
Picnic with the Parrots
Help Build our New Aviary
We are getting closer to completing our newest outdoor enclosure, but we need your help to get it done!
Click here to choose the amount you'd like to donate from the available squares. You can even upload a personal photo to the square you've chosen!
Thank you in advance for your support!
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| Parrot News from Around the World |
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A parrot that sleeps like a bat?
The Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (
Loriculus galgulus
) is a tiny parrot that lives in Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. It's uncommonly spotted as this parrot normally nests high in tree tops, finding their home in abandoned woodpecker cavities. However, the Blue-crowned Hanging parrot is now generating some publicity as a pair have chosen to nest much closer to the ground causing bird watchers to flock to them and document their baby season. A documented fact is that this parrot has been spotted sleeping upside down!
Read More
Baby Kea Born at the Denver Zoo
Hatching of Kea in captivity is a big deal as the total numbers of the New Zealand ground parrot in the wild are less than five thousand. These endangered parrots are very challenging to breed in captivity but the Denver Zoo made a special, extra large nest box with a tunnel entrance that seemed to do the trick! There were hopes that the parents would be able to raise the chicks but two of the four eggs broke and the keepers then incubated the eggs with only one chick hatching. The baby kea is the first successful chick hatched for the Denver Zoo and is doing well!
Read More
"Parrot Fever" in Japan
It was recently reported that two women contracted psittacosis in Japan and it was fatal,
according to a Japan Times report
. Psittacosis is mainly contracted from parrots and parakeets with humans being impacted from their close proximity with these birds. Many parrots naturally harbor psittacosis but sometimes stressful situations or improper husbandry can cause the psittacosis to come forth and impact the immune system of the bird, therefore potentially transferring it to humans.
Read More
Parrot that helps with the laundry!
Parrots are extremely intelligent and have a great ability to mimic. They mimic body movements, sounds, words, and even behaviors. A parrot in Mississippi is now "helping with the laundry." This parrot has observed its owner taking clothes out of the dryer and well, that task is now handed over to their loved pet parrot named Penny.
Read More
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SoCal Parrot is a registered 501(c)(3) | EIN:
46-0615979
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