Mitred Parakeet

The Mitred Parakeet, Psittacara mitratus, is a medium-sized parrot with a robust build and a tail that is long and pointed. The bird's overall plumage is a vibrant green, accented with a striking purplish forehead and a varying pattern of red on the face, which is particularly prominent around the eyes and cheeks. The bird measures between 31 to 38 cm in length and weighs approximately 219 to 275 grams.

Identification Tips

Adult Mitred Parakeets are characterized by their green plumage, red forecrown, and the red that extends around and below the eye. The subspecies P. m. chlorogenys can be distinguished by its lesser amount of red around the eye, a possible blue tinge on the crown, and some red on the thighs. Juveniles are noted for their lack of red markings. The bird's eye is encircled by bare white skin, and it has a horn-colored bill.

Habitat

In their native range, Mitred Parakeets inhabit a variety of forested landscapes, including evergreen and deciduous montane forests, cloud forests, secondary forests, and semi-humid to humid scrub areas in arid zones. They are found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,400 meters, with some sightings as high as 4,000 meters.

Distribution

The Mitred Parakeet is native to South America, with its range extending from Peru through Bolivia and into northwestern Argentina. It has also been introduced and established populations in Uruguay, California, Florida, and Hawaii.

Behaviour

Mitred Parakeets are known to form flocks, sometimes numbering up to 2000 individuals, though smaller groups of around 100 are more common. They exhibit movements in response to food availability and are known to roam outside the breeding season.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Mitred Parakeet are a distinctive feature, with a continuous loud screeching chatter, especially in flight. They also emit squeaky notes and screeches.

Breeding

In the wild, Mitred Parakeets nest in tree cavities and on cliffs, with a clutch size typically consisting of two to three eggs. In introduced areas such as Florida, they often nest on human-made structures, and in Hawaii, they have been known to nest on sea cliffs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Mitred Parakeet includes berries, fruits, seeds, nuts, and maize. In introduced habitats, they have adapted to feed on a variety of plant species, both native and introduced.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Mitred Parakeet as Least Concern, with a large range and a stable population size. Although previously captured for the cage bird trade, no immediate threats have been identified as of 2018. They are considered generally common and locally abundant within their range.