Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Painted Parakeet (Pyrrhura picta)
Painted Parakeet

Painted Parakeet

Pyrrhura picta

The Painted Parakeet, or Painted Conure in aviculture, is a diminutive and vibrant bird, measuring a modest 20 to 23 centimeters in length. It boasts a striking plumage with a blue to deep maroon gradient from the forehead to the hindcrown and nape, complemented by a narrow blue collar. The face is adorned with maroon, encircled by a ring of bare grayish skin around the eye, and set off by whitish ear coverts. The bird's upperparts are predominantly green, accented with a dull red lower back and rump. A buff breast with a reddish-brown scalloped pattern and a dull red belly center, transitioning to green underparts, complete the ensemble. The wings are mainly green with a red carpal area and blue primaries, while the tail is mostly maroon with a green base. The iris is a dark, enigmatic hue.

Identification Tips

To identify the Painted Parakeet, look for its blue to maroon gradient on the head, narrow blue collar, and maroon face with a grayish eye ring. The bird's green upperparts with red accents, buff and reddish-brown scalloped breast, and green underparts are also distinctive. The red carpal area and blue primaries on the wing, along with the maroon tail with a green base, are key features. The dark iris is another identifying characteristic.

Habitat

The Painted Parakeet is known to inhabit a variety of environments, including terra firme and várzea forests, forested savannas, and coastal sand-ridge forests. It is typically found in lowland areas but can also be seen at elevations as high as 1,800 meters.

Distribution

This species is distributed across several South American countries, including Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its range varies among the subspecies, with each favoring different geographical areas.

Behaviour

The Painted Parakeet is a sociable bird, often seen foraging in flocks of up to 30 individuals. While its movement patterns are not well-documented, some subspecies may exhibit small elevational migrations.

Song & calls

The Painted Parakeet's vocal repertoire includes a series of high-pitched, yelping notes, as well as more rolling and subdued sounds. Flocks in flight produce a cacophony of noisy, harsh, and piercing chattering, while perched birds may also emit a harsh, guttural "kleek-kleek."

Breeding

The breeding biology of the Painted Parakeet remains largely a mystery. However, it is known to nest in tree cavities and lay clutches of four or five eggs in captivity. Breeding seasons vary among the subspecies and geographical locations.

Similar Species

The Painted Parakeet can be confused with other Pyrrhura species, but its unique coloration and vocalizations help distinguish it from its congeners.

Diet and Feeding

This parakeet has a diverse diet, feeding on fruits, seeds, and flowers from a wide array of plants and trees.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Painted Parakeet as Least Concern, although the population is believed to be decreasing. However, some subspecies face more severe threats, with the "Perija" parakeet listed as Endangered, the "Sinu" parakeet as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct), and the "Azuero" parakeet as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.

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

Painted Parakeets on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Jaider Carrillo
Jaider Carrillo
10 Apr 2024 - 11:48am
Colombia

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
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
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.
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!
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!
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
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.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.