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
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.