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Photo: © John Cahill xikanel.com eBird S53607569 Macaulay Library ML 144345551
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Indigo-winged Parrot

Hapalopsittaca fuertesi
Cotorra Aliazul
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Song

Indigo-winged Parrot

Appearance: The Indigo-winged Parrot is a medium-sized parrot. It is green with a striking indigo-blue coloration on its wings, which gives the bird its name. The bird also has a reddish forehead and lores, adding to its unique look. Its tail feathers are green with blue tips, and it has a robust, hooked beak.
Habitat: This parrot is endemic to the montane forests of the Central Andes. It is  found at elevations ranging from 2800 to 3400 m. The species prefers cloud forests, which are characterized by high humidity and frequent mist or cloud cover. These forests provide the dense canopy cover and rich biodiversity that the Indigo-winged Parrot needs for feeding and nesting.
Behavior: Indigo-winged Parrots are knownto be social birds, often seen in small flocks. They are active during the day, spending much of their time foraging for food. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, and possibly flowers. These parrots are known for their strong, direct flight and their ability to navigate through dense forest canopies.
Breeding: There is limited information on the breeding habits of the Indigo-winged Parrot due to its rarity and the inaccessibility of its habitat. However, like many parrots, they nest in tree cavities. Breeding season details are not well-documented, but it is assumed that, similar to  to other parrot species, they form monogamous pairs during the breeding season.
Conservation Status: The Indigo-winged Parrot is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

Distribution

Central Andes: The parrot is mainly found in the cloud forests of the Central Andes, specifically in the departments of Quindío and Tolima. These areas provide the high-altitude montane forest habitat that the species requires.

Cocora Valley: Within Quindío, the Cocora Valley is a notable location for the indigo-winged parrot. This area is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park, which offers some protection to its habitat.

Páramo and Sub-páramo Zones: The parrot is also found in the páramo and sub-páramo zones, which are characterized by unique vegetation and climatic conditions suitable for the species.

Taxonomy

The Indigo-winged Parrot (Hapalopsittaca fuertesi)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Psittaciformes
  • Family: Psittacidae
  • Genus: Hapalopsittaca
  • Species: Hapalopsittaca fuertesi

Vocalization

The Indigo-winged Parrot, also known as the Fuertes's parrot is a rare and endangered species native to the cloud forests of Colombia. While detailed studies on their vocalizations are limited due to their rarity, parrots in this genus have a range of calls used for communication.
Their vocalizations may include a variety of squawks, chirps, and whistles, which serve different purposes such as signaling alarm, establishing territory, or maintaining contact with other members of their flock. Each parrot species often has unique calls, and individuals may also develop unique sounds.