Cotorra Colicorta
Short-tailed Parrot
Graydidascalus brachyurus
Song
Short-tailed Parrot
Appearance: Medium-sized parrot, approximately 24 cm (9.5 in) in length. Mainly green with a distinct short, square-shaped tail. They have a lighter green-yellowish forehead and a blue patch behind the eye, with red underwing coverts and a slightly darker green on the wings. Bright orange eyes and a strong, curved beak that is primarily yellowish in color.
Habitat: The Short-tailed Parrot prefers humid tropical lowland forests. It can be found in both primary and secondary growth forests, as well as in areas near clearings. They are mainly distributed in the northwestern regions, particularly in the Chocó department and parts of the Andean foothills.
Behavior: Social Structure: Typically found in small groups or pairs, although they can join larger flocks at times, especially while foraging. Known for their soft, whistling calls and quieter vocalizations, which are often used for maintaining contact within their groups. Primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and flowers. They are known to forage in the canopy and can often be seen in fruiting trees.
Breeding: The Short-tailed Parrot nests in tree cavities, often using natural hollows. The breeding season coincides with the rainy season. Females typically lay 2-4 eggs, which both parents incubate for about 26-28 days. Chicks fledge roughly 9-10 weeks after hatching.
Conservation Status: The Short-tailed Parrot is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Distribution
South East and Along the rivers Caqueta, Amazonas and Putumayo.
Taxonomy
The Short-tailed Parrot (Graydidascalus brachyurus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Graydidascalus
- Species: Graydidascalus brachyurus
Vocalization
Types of Calls: They produce a range of sounds, including soft whistles and light, chatty notes. These vocalizations are often used for communication within flocks.
Social Interactions: Their calls help maintain group cohesion, especially when foraging. They tend to be quieter when in dense foliage, using softer sounds to avoid attracting potential predators.
Breeding Vocalizations: During the breeding season, the calls may become more prominent as pairs communicate and establish territories.
Distinctive Sounds: The calls of the Short-tailed Parrot may include high-pitched notes that can carry through the forest, allowing members of the flock to stay connected across distances.
