Orange-chinned Parakeet

The Orange-chinned Parakeet, also known as the Tovi Parakeet, is a small, vibrant bird with a length of 18 to 19 cm and a weight ranging between 53 and 65 grams. It boasts a bright green plumage with a bluish tinge on the crown and a distinctive, though sometimes elusive, orange patch on its chin. The bird's eye is encircled by a white ring, and it has a pale bill. The upperparts and tail exhibit a bluish-green hue, while the underparts are predominantly bright green with a bluish wash on the vent and thighs. The wing coverts are brown, creating a noticeable "shoulder" when the bird is perched, and the underwing coverts are a striking yellow.

Identification Tips

To identify the Orange-chinned Parakeet, look for its small size, green head with a blue wash on the crown, and the namesake orange chin patch which can be challenging to spot. The bird's white eye ring and pale bill are also key features. Juveniles resemble adults, making them identifiable by the same characteristics.

Habitat

This species thrives in semi-open to open landscapes, including Llanos, deciduous woodland, secondary and gallery forests, plantations, and urban areas with trees. It tends to avoid evergreen forests and can be found at elevations from sea level up to 1,400 meters.

Distribution

The Orange-chinned Parakeet is native to a broad range extending from southern Mexico through Central America and into Colombia and Venezuela. Its presence is noted from the southwestern Mexican state of Oaxaca down the Pacific side of Central America and into northwestern South America.

Behaviour

Generally sedentary, the Orange-chinned Parakeet may exhibit local wanderings post-breeding season, particularly in El Salvador. It is commonly observed in pairs or small flocks.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Orange-chinned Parakeet includes a high-pitched "klee," a shrill "chree," or a bisyllabic "chree-chree" when perched or in flight. Additionally, it produces a rapid chattering "cra-cra-cra-cra-cra" and engages in near-constant, shrill, harsh chatter.

Breeding

The breeding season for this parakeet spans from January to April. Nesting occurs in old woodpecker holes, natural cavities, or excavations in arboreal termite nests. Communal nesting in large rotten snags has been observed. Clutch sizes typically range from four to seven eggs, with an incubation period of about 21 to 26 days in captivity, and fledging occurring two to three weeks after hatching.

Similar Species

The Orange-chinned Parakeet is closely related to the Grey-cheeked Parakeet, with which it shares a sister species relationship.

Diet and Feeding

This parakeet's diet is diverse, including fruits, seeds, flowers, herbs, nectar, insects, and algae. It is known to forage alongside the larger Orange-fronted Parakeet and occasionally consumes mineral-rich soil. While it feeds on a variety of natural foods, it can also cause damage to cultivated fruits.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the Orange-chinned Parakeet as Least Concern due to its extensive range and large population, which is estimated to be over half a million mature individuals. Despite the population being on a declining trend, no immediate threats have been identified, and the species remains common to abundant throughout most of its range.