Scarlet-fronted Parakeet

The Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, also known in aviculture as the Scarlet-fronted Conure, Red-fronted Conure, or Wagler's Conure, is a medium-sized parrot with a predominantly green plumage that is yellower on the underparts. Adults boast a distinctive red forehead and the front part of their crown, which gives them their common name. They measure between 34 to 40 cm in length and weigh between 162 to 217 grams. Both sexes appear similar.

Identification Tips

To identify the Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, look for the red markings on the forehead and crown, which are less extensive in immature birds. The undersides of their flight feathers and tail are olive-yellow. They have pale gray irises surrounded by bare gray skin, horn-colored bills, and brownish legs and feet.

Habitat

This species is adaptable, inhabiting the edges of cloud forests, tropical deciduous forests, gallery and secondary forests, as well as fields, orchards, and parks within urban areas.

Distribution

The Scarlet-fronted Parakeet has a disjunct distribution across the Colombian Andes, the isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Serranía del Perijá on the Colombia/Venezuela border, and in western Venezuela.

Behaviour

These parakeets are known to make seasonal movements in Venezuela, though their patterns in Colombia are less defined. They are social birds, often seen traveling in large flocks.

Song & Calls

The Scarlet-fronted Parakeet is a vocal bird, especially in flight, producing a continuous loud screeching chatter. It also emits squeaky notes and screeches, which can be described as "kreee."

Breeding

Breeding season for the Scarlet-fronted Parakeet occurs from April to June in Venezuela and from December to June in northern Colombia. They breed colonially, often nesting in cliff face fissures.

Diet and Feeding

While the full extent of their diet is not fully described, it is known to include fruits, nuts, and seeds. In some regions, they may be considered pests to crops.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the Scarlet-fronted Parakeet as Near Threatened due to a fragmented range and a population that is believed to be decreasing. The primary threats include trapping, persecution, and habitat loss through land-use changes.