Parrots
| Order: PSITTACIFORMES - Family: PSITTACIDAE |
| 379 Species currently existing - 57 in region |
Appearance: Most parrots have a strong, curved beak, an upright stance, and strong legs. Their feathers are often vibrant and bright, providing stunning visual appeal. Depending on the species, parrots can live for several decades, some exceeding 50 years when cared for properly.
Habitat: Parrots are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, including rainforests, savannas, and woodlands. Some species have adapted to urban environments.
Behavior: Parrots are highly social animals, often living in flocks in the wild. They engage in complex social interactions and are known for their playful nature.
Parrots are among the most intelligent birds, capable of problem-solving and exhibiting behaviors that suggest complex social understanding. They can learn a variety of words and phrases, especially when they have regular interaction with humans.
Care and Diet: In captivity, parrots require a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and pellets. They also need mental stimulation through toys and social interaction to thrive.
Lilac-tailed Parrot
Touit batavicus
Spanish Name: Periquito Sietecolores
Size: 6.5 in | 16.5 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forest.
Height: 200-1700 m
Photo: © Jerome Foster eBird S39531797 Macaulay Library ML 70734951
Scarlet-shouldered Parrot
Touit huetii
Spanish Name: Periquito Frentinegro
Size: 6.3 in | 16 cm
Habitat: Dense tropical forest.
Height: <700 m
Photo: © Lorenzo Calcaño eBird S52426887 Macaulay Library ML 139432321
Blue-fronted Parrotlet
Touit dilectissimus
Spanish Name: Periquito Alirrojo
Size: 6.7 in | 17 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forest.
Height: 100-1700 m
Photo: © David M. Bell eBird S17542229 Macaulay Library ML 25809661
Sapphire-rumped Parrotlet
Touit purpuratus
Spanish Name: Periquito Zafiro
Size: 6.7 in | 17 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forest
Height: <400 m
Photo: © Luiz Moschini eBird S46329088 Macaulay Library ML 103379081
Spot-winged Parrotlet
Touit stictopterus
Spanish Name: Periquito Alipunteado
Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forest
Height: 500-1700 m
Photo: © Vayun Tiwari eBird S59042569 Macaulay Library ML 214092531
Barred Parakeet
Bolborhynchus lineola
Spanish Name: Periquito Barrado
Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Dense tropical forest.
Height: 1600-3000 m
Photo: © Daniel Orozco Montoya eBird S41821460 Macaulay Library ML 167911551
Rufous-fronted Parakeet
Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons
Spanish Name: Periquito Frentirrufo
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forests and wooded areas.
Height: 3200-4100 m
Photo: © Diego Monsalve serna eBird S38173399 Macaulay Library ML 63514541
Tui Parakeet
Brotogeris sanctithomae
Spanish Name: Periquito Cabeciamarillo
Size: 6.5 in | 16.5 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forest.
Height: <300 m
Photo: © Bradley Hacker eBird S39026514 Macaulay Library ML 68172941
White-winged Parakeet
Brotogeris versicolurus
Spanish Name: Periquito Aliblanco
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Forests, savannas, and wooded areas.
Height: <300 m
Photo: © Curtis Marantz eBird S54688247 Macaulay Library ML 149679301
Orange-chinned Parakeet
Brotogeris jugularis
Spanish Name: Periquito Bronceado
Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, savannas, and urban areas.
Height: <1400 m
Photo: © Jay McGowan eBird S63515685 Macaulay Library ML 200072291
Cobalt-winged Parakeet
Brotogeris cyanoptera
Spanish Name: Periquito Aliazul
Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, savannas, and wooded areas.
Height: <1000 m
Photo: © Jon Iratzagorria eBird S57090625 Macaulay Library ML 162704781
Brown-hooded Parrot
Pyrilia haematotis
Spanish Name: Colorado Cabeciparda
Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, savannas, and urban areas.
Height: <1200 m
Photo: © Jeff Maw eBird S33976417 Macaulay Library ML 191399241
Saffron-headed Parrot
Pyrilia pyrilia
Spanish Name: Cotorra Cariamarilla
Size: 9.5 in | 24 cm
Habitat: Foothill forests, wooded areas, wet lowlands.
Height: <900 m
Photo: © Carlos Mario Wagner Wagner eBird S37122479 Macaulay Library ML 59193741
Rose-faced Parrot
Pyrilia pulchra
Spanish Name: Cotorra Carirrosada
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Forests, wooded areas.
Height: <1200 m
Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S106333171 Macaulay Library ML432469201
Orange-cheeked Parrot
Pyrilia barrabandi
Spanish Name: Cotorra Cabecinegra
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Forests, savannas, and wooded areas
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S49559748 Macaulay Library ML 121259981
Rusty-faced Parrot
Hapalopsittaca amazonina
Spanish Name: Cotorra Montañera
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forests and wooded areas.
Height: 2000-3000 m
Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING eBird S38583016 Macaulay Library ML 66155251
Indigo-winged Parrot
Hapalopsittaca fuertesi
Spanish Name: Cotorra Aliazul
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forests and wooded areas.
Height: 2600-3500 m
Photo: © John Cahill xikanel.com eBird S53607569 Macaulay Library ML 144345551
Red-billed Parrot
Pionus sordidus
Spanish Name: Cotorra Piquirroja
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, as well as savannas and border areas.
Height: 200-2400 m
Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING eBird S42530951 Macaulay Library ML 86667301
White-capped Parrot (Speckle-faced Parrot)
Pionus selinoides
Spanish Name: Cotorra Coroniblanca
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forest and wooded areas.
Height: 1600-3100 m
Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S148024460 Macaulay Library ML 608740101
Blue-headed Parrot
Pionus menstruus
Spanish Name: Cotorra Cabeciazul
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, savannas, and wooded areas.
Height: <1600 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Bronze-winged Parrot
Pionus chalcopterus
Spanish Name: Cotorra Oscura
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests.
Height: 500-2800 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Short-tailed Parrot
Greydidascalus brachyurus
Spanish Name: Cotorra Colicorta
Size: 9.5 in | 24 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, including both primary and disturbed forests, as well as agricultural lands.
Height: <400 m
Photo: © Joao Quental JQuental eBird S54468360 Macaulay Library ML 150025521
Northern Festive Amazon
Amazona bodini
Spanish Name: Lora Festiva Norteña
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, including both primary and disturbed forests, as well as agricultural lands.
Height: <300 m
Photo: © Marc Junio eBird S131524507 Macaulay Library ML548318611
Southern Festive Amazon
Amazona festiva
Spanish Name: Lora Festiva
Size: 14 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, including both primary and disturbed forests, as well as agricultural lands.
Height: <300 m
Photo: © Claudia Brasileiro eBird S43196406 Macaulay Library ML 87518211
Red-lored Amazon
Amazona autumnalis
Spanish Name: Lora Frentirroja
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, including both primary and disturbed forests, as well as agricultural lands.
Height: <1000 m
Photo: © Paul Jones eBird S61762584 Macaulay Library ML 189980861
Yellow-crowned Amazon (Parrot)
Amazona ochrocephala
Spanish Name: Lora Cabeciamarilla
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, primary and disturbed forests, and agricultural lands.
Height: < 1000 m
Photo: © Naseem Reza eBird S30216184 Macaulay Library ML 50159851
Scaly-naped Amazon (Parrot)
Amazona mercenarius
Spanish Name: Lora Andina
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests to more arid regions, and they can be found at different altitudes.
Height: 1500 - 3000 m
Photo: © Cory Gregory eBird S35046126 Macaulay Library ML 51291961
Southern Mealy Amazon (Parrot)
Amazon farinosa
Spanish Name: Lora Real
Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Forested habitats, tropical rainforests and mangrove forests.
Height: <1000 m
Photo: © Silvia Faustino Linhares eBird S145907435 Macaulay Library ML 598467131
Orange-winged Amazon (Parrot)
Amazona amazonica
Spanish Name: Lora Amazónica
Size: 13 in | 33 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, savannas, and forest edges.
Height: <1500 m
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Dusky-billed Parrotlet
Forpus modestus
Spanish Name: Periquito Piquinegro
Size: 5 in | 13 cm
Habitat: Arid and scrubby areas, including dry forests and savannas.
Photo: © Ly Lan Le Do eBird S57070460 Macaulay Library ML 162611991
Green-rumped Parrotlet
Forpus passerinus
Spanish Name: Periquito Coliverde
Size: 5 in | 13 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, savannas, and agricultural areas.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Jay McGowan eBird S27010954 Macaulay Library ML 23419181
Turquoise-winged Parrotlet
Forpus spengeli
Spanish Name: Periquito Aliturquesa
Size: 5 in | 13 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, woodland edges, and agricultural areas.
Height: <300 m
Photo: © Leandro Niebles Puello eBird S85039892 Macaulay Library ML 324050781
Blue-winged Parrotlet
Forpus xanthopterygius
Spanish Name: Periquito Azulejo
Size: 5 in | 13 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, woodland edges, and agricultural areas.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Claudia Brasileiro eBird S42190197 Macaulay Library ML 83157341
Spectacled Parrotlet
Forpus conspicillatus
Spanish Name: Periquito de Anteojos
Size: 5 in | 13 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, scrublands, and agricultural areas.
Height: <2000 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materón
Pacific Parrotlet
Forpus coelestis
Spanish Name: Periquito Pacífico
Size: 5 in | 13 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Jorge Tiravanti eBird S46142623 Macaulay Library ML 134135401
Black-headed Parrot
Pionites melanocephalus
Spanish Name: Lora Pechiblanca
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, scrublands, and agricultural areas.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Black-legged Parrot (White-bellied Parrot)
Pionites xanthomerius
Spanish Name: Lora Patinegra
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas.
Height: <100 m
Photo: © Jan Harm Wiers eBird S30858015 Macaulay Library ML 166807561
Red-fan Parrot
Deroptyus (accipitrinus)
Spanish Name: Lora Gavilana Norteña
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Humid forest and humid edges.
Height: <300 m
Photo: © Örjan Sjögren eBird S40980821 Macaulay Library ML 79213121
Sinu Parakeet (Painted Parakeet)
Pyrrhura subandina
Spanish Name: Perco del Sinú
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Humid forest and humid edges.
Height: <200 m
Photo: © Lorenzo Calcaño eBird S59367537 Macaulay Library ML 212211251
Perija Parakeet (Todd’s Parakeet)
Pyrrhura caeruleiceps
Spanish Name: Perico de Perijá
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, scrublands, and agricultural areas.
Height: 400-2200 m
Photo: ©
Santa Marta Parakeet
Pyrrhura viridicata
Spanish Name: Periquito de Santa Marta
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: High-altitude habitats, montane forests and cloud forests.
Height: 1800-3000 m
Photo: © Cory GregoryeBird S53092810Macaulay Library ML 221638451
Maroon-tailed Parakeet
Pyrrhura melanura
Spanish Name: Periquito Colirrojo
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, cloud forests, and forest edges.
Height: 1600-2800 m
Photo: © Luke Seitz eBird S36257996 Macaulay Library ML 55724621
Huila Parakeet (subsp.)
Pyrrhura (melanurus) chapmani
Spanish Name: Periquito Colirrojo
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, cloud forests, and forest edges.
Height: 1600-2800 m
Photo: © Illustration by Etel Vilaró
Maroon-tailed Parakeet (subsp.)
Pyrrhura (melanura) melanura
Spanish Name: Periquito Colirrojo
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, cloud forests, and forest edges.
Height: <1900 m
Photo: © Illustration by Etel Vilaró
Choco Parakeet (subsp.)
Pyrrhura (melanura) pacifica
Spanish Name: Perico del Chocó
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, cloud forests, and forest edges.
Height: 250-1750 m
Photo: © Iván Lau eBird S49349857 Macaulay Library ML 120590831
Brown-breasted Parakeet
Pyrrhura calliptera
Spanish Name: Periquito Aliamarillo
Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Humid montane forest, edges of woodland.
Height: 1700-3400 m
Photo: © Anthony Kaduck eBird S42317343 Macaulay Library ML83734361
Brown-throated Parakeet
Eupsittula pertinax
Spanish Name: Perico Carisucio
Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, savannas, and agricultural areas.
Height: <1300 m
Photo: © Don Danko eBird S63543328 Macaulay Library ML 203371281
Dusky-headed Parakeet
Aratinga weddelli
Spanish Name: Perico Canoso
Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Woodland, savannas, and forest edges.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © graichen & recer eBird S21400299 Macaulay Library ML 74856621
Red-bellied Macaw
Orthopsittaca manilatus
Spanish Name: Guacamaya Buchirroja
Size: 20 in | 51 cm
Habitat: Woodland, savannas, and forest edges.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © Luiz Matos eBird S52049344 Macaulay Library ML 137323001
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Ara ararauna
Spanish Name: Guacamaya Azuliamarilla
Size: 33 in | 84 cm
Habitat: Woodland and tropical forest edges.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Military Macaw
Ara militaris
Spanish Name: Guacamaya verde
Size: 28 in | 71 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, including subtropical and tropical forests, and wooded mountainous regions. Disturbed habitats and agricultural areas.
Height: <2000 m
Photo: © Laval Roy Macaulay Library ML 148840991
Great Green Macaw
Ara ambiguus
Spanish Name: Guacamaya Verdilimón
Size: 35 in | 89 cm
Habitat: Forests, savannas, woodland and agricultural areas.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © fernando Burgalin Sequeria Macaulay Library ML 135445121
Scarlet Macaw
Ara macao
Spanish Name: Guacamaya macao
Size: 35 in | 89 cm
Habitat: Disturbed wooded habitats and agricultural areas.
Height: <700 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materón
Red-and-green Macaw
Ara chloropterus
Spanish Name: Guacamaya Rojiverde
Size: 37 in | 94 cm
Habitat: Forested landscapes, lowland forests, savannas, and palm groves.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Chestnut-fronted Macaw
Ara severus
Spanish Name: Guacamaya Cariseca
Size: 19 in | 48 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, tropical rainforests, woodlands, and savannas.
Height: <600 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materón
Golden-plumed Parakeet
Leptosittaca branickii
Spanish Name: Perico Paramuno
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forests and are often seen at high altitudes above 2000 meters.
Height: 1800-3400 m
Photo: © Cris Heins eBird S57928050 Macaulay Library ML 170104991
Yellow-eared Parrot
Ognorhynchus icterotis
Spanish Name: Loro Orejiamarillo
Size: 17 in | 43 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forests and are often seen at high altitudes above 2000 meters.
Height: 2000-3300 m
Photo: © Alex Berryman eBird S49112868 Macaulay Library ML 118397401
Blue-crowned Parakeet
Thectocerus acuticaudatus
Spanish Name: Perico Frentiazul
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Fast-flowing streams, rivers, and creeks in montane forests and cloud forests.
Height: <400 m
Photo: © Chris Wood eBird S15188280 Macaulay Library ML 31529881
Scarlet-fronted Parakeek
Psittacara wagleri
Spanish Name: Perico Frentirrojo
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, woodlands, savannas, and cultivated areas
Height: 900-2500 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materón
White-eyed Parakeet
Psittacara leucophthalmus
Spanish Name: Perico Ojiblanco
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, woodlands, savannas, and urban areas.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Rick Folkening eBird S42538512 Macaulay Library ML 85180181
