Green Parakeet

The Green Parakeet, also known as the Green Conure or Mexican Green Conure, is a medium-sized parrot with a predominantly green plumage. Adults measure between 28 to 30.5 cm in length and weigh approximately 230 grams. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with paler and yellower underparts compared to their overall green coloration. They exhibit red speckles on their cheeks and throat, yellowish-green underwing coverts, and olive-yellow undersides of their flight feathers and tail. The bird's iris is a striking orange-red, encircled by bare pale beige skin. Its bill is horn-coloured, and the legs and feet are brownish.

Identification Tips

To identify the Green Parakeet, look for its green plumage with lighter underparts, red speckles on the face, and orange-red iris. The subspecies P. h. brewsteri is slightly darker with a glaucous cast on the head.

Habitat

These parakeets inhabit semi-open landscapes such as deciduous woodlands, gallery forests, and scrublands, avoiding humid lowland forests. They are typically found at elevations between 500 and 2,000 meters.

Distribution

The Green Parakeet is native to eastern Mexico, extending from Nuevo León and Tamaulipas south to Veracruz. The subspecies P. h. brewsteri resides in north-western Mexico, in Sonora, Sinaloa, and Chihuahua. In the United States, they are established in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, with their origin being either introduced or naturally dispersed.

Behaviour

The Green Parakeet is non-migratory, though it may move locally in response to food availability. It can be a crop pest, indicating its adaptability to human-altered environments.

Song & calls

The vocal repertoire of the Green Parakeet includes sharp squeaky notes, loud harsh calls, and shrill noisy chattering. Its flight call is a rolling, harsh, and high-pitched "screek…screek."

Breeding

The breeding season of the Green Parakeet is not fully defined but includes at least January to April. They nest in tree cavities, caves, and cliff faces, with a clutch size of four eggs. Incubation is thought to last 23 days, but details on fledging and parental care are not well documented.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Green Parakeet includes seeds and fruits.

Conservation status

The IUCN classifies the Green Parakeet as Least Concern, with an estimated population of around 200,000 mature individuals that is decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified in Mexico, but the species is considered Vulnerable in Texas due to hunting pressure.