Periquito Colirrojo
Maroon-tailed Parakeet (subsp.)
Pyrrhura (melanura) melanura
Song
Maroon-tailed Parakeet (subsp.)
Appearance: Maroon-tailed Parakeets are small to medium-sized parrots with a green plumage. As their name suggests, they have maroon-colored tails. They also have a distinctive maroon or brownish patch on their belly and a white eye-ring. The specific coloration and markings can vary slightly among subspecies, but the maroon tail is a consistent feature.
Habitat: These parakeets are found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. They are often found at elevations ranging from 1000 to 2500 m depending on the subspecies. They are distributed across various parts, often in the Andes and adjacent regions.
Behavior: Maroon-tailed Parakeets are highly social birds, often seen in flocks. They are known for their noisy and active nature. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, seeds, and flowers, which they forage in the treetops. Birds use a variety of calls to communicate within their flocks.
Breeding: These parakeets nest in tree cavities. They may use natural cavities or those created by other animals. The breeding season can vary, but it aligns with the availability of food resources. They usually lay a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated by the female.
Conservation Status: The Maroon-tailed Parakeet is generally listed as Least Concern on the IUCN.
Distribution
This subspecies of the Maroon-tailed Parakeet is found in the south region of the country: in the departments of Huila, Caquetá, Putumayo, and in southern Meta.
Taxonomy
The Maroon-tailed Parakeet (subsp.) (Pyrrhura (melanura) melanura)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Pyrrhura
- Species: Pyrrhura melanura
- Subspecie: melanura
Vocalization
Communication: Maroon-tailed Parakeets use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other. These calls can include squawks, chirps, and whistles. The vocal repertoire is used to maintain contact with flock members in dense forest environments where visual contact is limited.
Alarm Calls: They have specific calls that serve as alarms to warn other members of the group about potential predators or threats. These calls are typically loud and sharp, designed to alert and mobilize the flock quickly.
Social Interaction: Within flocks, vocalizations help establish social bonds. Birds often engage in vocal exchanges that can be likened to conversations, which help maintain group cohesion and reinforce social structures.
Mating Calls: During the breeding season, vocalizations play a role in courtship. Males may use specific calls to attract females or to establish and defend territory.
Purpose
Social Cohesion: Vocalizations help maintain the structure and unity of flocks. In the wild, Maroon-tailed Parakeets are often found in groups, and their calls help keep the group together, especially during foraging.
Navigation: In their natural habitats, which include forests and wooded areas, calls help birds navigate through dense foliage. They use vocal cues to locate each other and coordinate movements.
Territoriality: Vocalizations can serve to establish and defend territories. By calling, individuals or pairs can signal their presence to others and deter potential intruders.
Reproductive Success: Effective communication through calls enhances reproductive success by facilitating pair bonding and coordination during nesting and raising of young.
