Periquito de Santa Marta
Santa Marta Parakeet
Pyrrhura viridicata
Song
Santa Marta Parakeet
Appearance: The Santa Marta Parakeet is small, measuring around 25 cm (9.84 in) in length. It features a green plumage, with a red forehead and a patch of red on the belly. The wings have blue and red markings, and the tail is long and tapered with a bluish-green hue.
Habitat: This parakeet is confined to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a mountain range isolated from the Andes in northern Colombia. It inhabits montane forests at elevations ranging from about 1,800 to 3,000 m (5,900 to 9,800 ft). The parakeet prefers humid cloud forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, often in areas with dense vegetation and a high degree of biodiversity.
Behavior: Santa Marta Parakeets are frugivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, flowers, and some insects. They play an important role in seed dispersal due to their diet. They are social birds, often seen in small flocks. They communicate with a series of high-pitched calls and are known for their agile flight. These parakeets are diurnal, being most active during the early morning and late afternoon.
Breeding: Little is known about their specific breeding behaviors, but like many parakeets, they are likely to nest in tree cavities. The breeding season is presumed to coincide with the rainy season when food is abundant, but detailed studies are lacking.
Conservation Status: The Santa Marta Parakeet is listed as Endangered on the IUCN.
Distribution
The Santa Marta Parakeet is found in the department of Atlántico which capital is the city of Santa Marta. Present in La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta up to 3000 m altitude.
Taxonomy
The Santa Marta Parakeet (Latin name)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Latin
- Species: Latin name
Vocalization
Mating and Courtship: Vocalization is an important aspect of its behavior, serving several purposes:
Communication: These parakeets use vocalizations to communicate with one another, especially within flocks. Calls can help maintain group cohesion and coordination during flight or while foraging.
Alarm Calls: Vocalizations can serve as alarm calls to warn other members of the flock about potential predators or threats. This helps in enhancing the survival of the group.
During breeding season, vocalizations may play a role in attracting mates and facilitating courtship rituals. These calls can help in establishing pair bonds.
Territoriality: Although not as territorial as some other bird species, vocalizations can still play a role in establishing and maintaining territories, especially during the breeding season.
Social Interaction: Parakeets are social birds, and vocalizations are an integral part of their social interactions, helping to establish social hierarchies and bonds within the flock.
The Santa Marta Parakeet is considered endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation, which makes understanding and conserving their natural behaviors, including vocalization patterns, crucial for their survival. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting their natural habitat and mitigating threats to ensure their continued existence.
