Sulphur-winged Parakeet

The Sulphur-winged Parakeet, also known as Hoffmann's Conure in aviculture circles, is a charming bird of approximately 23 to 24 cm in length, tipping the scales at an average of 82 grams. Both sexes present a similar plumage, predominantly green with delightful touches of yellow on the head, nape, and throat. A striking feature is the bare white skin encircling their eyes, while their ear coverts boast a bright terracotta hue. The breast is adorned with a subtle orange wash, and the wings are a tapestry of green with yellow primary coverts, inner primaries, and outer secondaries, complemented by blue outer primaries. The tail is a rufous olive on top with green fringed feathers, and a reddish-brown underside.

Identification Tips

To identify this species, look for the yellow primary coverts and the inner primaries on the wings, as well as the blue on the outer primaries. The terracotta ear coverts are also a distinctive feature. Juveniles can be recognized by their duller scaling, less pronounced orange on the breast, and reduced yellow on the wings.

Habitat

The Sulphur-winged Parakeet thrives in primary and logged montane forests, as well as adjacent shrubby areas and secondary forests. It is a bird of the highlands, typically found above 1,600 meters.

Distribution

This species is native to the Cordillera de Talamanca and the Dota region of southern Costa Rica, with the subspecies P. h. gaudens residing in western Panama up to Veraguas Province.

Behaviour

These parakeets exhibit seasonal movements, descending to lower elevations during the wet season and may also engage in daily elevational migrations between roosting and feeding areas.

Song & calls

The most common vocalization is a series of high-pitched shrill notes, "krree krree krree," emitted both while perched and in flight. Their calls are shrill but not screechy, setting them apart from other Pyrrhura parakeets. When perched, they may fall silent, but in flight, flocks create a cacophony of harsh, piercing chattering.

Breeding

Breeding is believed to occur mainly from January to June. The parakeets nest in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, usually situated between 8 and 20 meters above the ground. In captivity, they lay clutches of six eggs, with an incubation period of 24 days and fledging occurring 10 weeks post-hatching.

Diet and Feeding

Small flocks forage in the forest canopy, feasting on a diet composed primarily of fruits and seeds from a variety of plants and trees.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Sulphur-winged Parakeet as Least Concern. With an estimated population of 20,000 to 50,000 mature individuals that appears to be stable, there are no immediate threats to the species. It is fairly common within its range and shows a remarkable tolerance for habitat modification, with little impact from the pet trade.