Cotorra Montañera
Rusty-faced Parrot
Hapalopsittaca amazonina
Song
Rusty-faced Parrot
Appearance: The Rusty-faced Parrot is a medium-sized parrot, measuring about 24 cm (approximately 9.5 in) in length. It is characterized by its vibrant green plumage, which is of many parrot species. As its name suggests, it has a rusty or reddish-brown face, which contrasts with its green body. The wings and tail may have shades of blue, and the beak is relatively short and robust.
Habitat: The Rusty-faced Parrot is found in montane cloud forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. These habitats are located at elevations ranging from 1800 to 3400 m (approximately 5,900 to 11200 ft) above sea level. The species is often associated with dense, humid forest environments that provide ample food resources and nesting sites.
Behavior: Rusty-faced Parrots are social birds that are often observed in small flocks. They are known for their active and vocal nature, frequently engaging in loud calls and chatter. These parrots feed on a diet composed of fruits, seeds, nuts, and occasionally flowers. Their strong beaks are well-adapted for cracking open hard seeds and nuts.
Breeding: Information on the breeding behavior of the Rusty-faced Parrot is relatively limited. However, they are believed to nest in tree cavities. Breeding coincides with periods of abundant food availability. The female lays a clutch of two to four eggs, which she incubates while the male provides food.
Conservation Status: The Rusty-faced Parrot is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution
Central Andes: This includes areas in the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda. The Central Andes provide suitable cloud forest habitats that are crucial for the survival of this species.
Eastern Andes: The parrot is also found in the Eastern Andes, particularly in the departments of Cundinamarca, Boyacá, and Santander. These regions offer the high-altitude forest environments that the rusty-faced parrot prefers.
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta: Although less commonly reported, there have been sightings in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which is an isolated mountain range separate from the Andes but with similar ecological characteristics.
These regions are characterized by cloud forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, which provide the necessary habitat for the rusty-faced parrot. The species is often found at elevations ranging from 2400 to 3400 m.
Taxonomy
The Rusty-faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Hapalopsittaca
- Species: Hapalopsittaca amazonina
Vocalization
The rusty-faced parrot is a species native to the cloud forests of the Andes. They are known for their vocalizations, which are an essential part of their social behavior and communication.
Their vocalizations consist of a variety of squawks, screeches, and calls that can be quite loud and carry over long distances. These sounds are used for different purposes, such as attracting mates, signaling alarm, maintaining group cohesion, and marking territory.
