Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Barred Parakeet (Bolborhynchus lineola)
Barred Parakeet

Barred Parakeet

Bolborhynchus lineola

The Barred Parakeet, also known as the Lineolated Parakeet or Catherine Parakeet, is a diminutive parrot with a predominantly green plumage, adorned with multiple black and dark green stripes or bars. This avian jewel is further distinguished by its pale-horn coloured beak, a shoulder of black on its wings, and a dark green tail. The under-side of its wings reveals a hint of blue, and its legs are a delicate pink. The bird's irises are a deep, dark brown.

Identification Tips

Adult Barred Parakeets measure approximately 16 cm (6.5 in) in length and weigh between 42 to 52 grams. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males sometimes having more pronounced black stripes than females, although this is not a reliable indicator for sexing. Juveniles present less-marked dark stripes, which intensify as they mature. The two subspecies, B. l. lineola and B. l. tigrinus, can be differentiated by the prominence of their dark stripes, with the latter having more conspicuous markings.

Habitat

These parakeets inhabit highland forests, where they can be found up to an elevation of roughly 3,300 m (2.1 mi) above sea level. They are known to be tolerant of cold temperatures and have been observed engaging in snow baths.

Distribution

The Barred Parakeet has a disjunct distribution, ranging from southern Mexico to Panama, across the Andes from western Venezuela to southern Peru and Bolivia, as well as the Santa Marta Mountains in Colombia and the Venezuelan Coastal Range.

Behaviour

In the wild, Barred Parakeets congregate in groups ranging from six to thirty individuals, though larger flocks of up to 150 have been recorded. They exhibit a calm disposition and are known for their unique resting posture, lying almost horizontally with their heads aligned with their tails. Their vocalizations are typically soft and not piercing to the ear.

Song & Calls

The calls of the Barred Parakeet are characterized by a quiet mumbling, which is not high-pitched or piercing, making them suitable for those who prefer less noisy avian companions.

Breeding

The breeding of these parakeets involves clutches of two to four eggs, which are incubated for about 18–21 days. The fledglings leave the nest approximately five weeks after hatching.

Similar Species

While there are no similar species mentioned, the Barred Parakeet can be distinguished from other parakeets by its unique barred plumage and size.

Diet and Feeding

Barred Parakeets in the wild feed on fruit, dried and germinated seeds, and insect larvae. They are known to forage and should be encouraged to do so in captivity to prevent boredom and behavioral issues.

Conservation Status

The Barred Parakeet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with a large and stable population.

Aviculture

In captivity, these parakeets are cherished for their quiet and even-tempered nature. They are also appreciated for the variety of colour mutations available. They have an average lifespan of about 10 years, with some individuals living up to 15 years. They are known to enjoy bathing and misting, often hanging upside down and spreading their wings to catch the water. They also have a peculiar fondness for burrowing into clothing, where they may even fall asleep.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Barred Parakeets on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More African & New World Parrots

A photo of a Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops)

Yellow-faced Parrot

Alipiopsitta xanthops
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.