Periquito Albipunteado
Spot-winged Parrotlet
Touit stictopterus
Song
Spot-winged Parrotlet
Appearance: The Spot-winged Parrotlet is a small bird, typically measuring around 15 cm (6 inches) in length. It has predominantly green plumage. The most distinctive feature is the presence of small, conspicuous white or yellowish spots on its wings, which give the species its name. It has a short tail and a relatively large head for its size. The beak is strong and curved, typical of parrots.
Habitat: This species is found in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The Spot-winged Parrotlet prefers dense, humid forests and is often associated with cloud forests.
Behavior: These parrotlets are known to be social birds, often seen in small flocks. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, fruits, and possibly flowers. They are known to forage in the canopy of their forest habitat.
Breeding: Specific details about their breeding habits are not well-documented, but like other parrots, they likely nest in tree cavities. The exact timing of their breeding season is not well-known but is presumed to coincide with periods of food abundance.
Conservation Status: The Spot-winged Parrotlet is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
Andean Region: The winged parrotlet is mainly found in the Andean region of Colombia. This region provides the montane forest habitats that are crucial for the species. The Andean region includes the three main Andean mountain ranges: the Western, Central, and Eastern Cordilleras. The parrotlet is more commonly observed in the Central and Eastern Cordilleras.
Eastern Cordillera: Within the Eastern Cordillera, the parrotlet is found in areas that offer dense forest cover and elevation ranges that suit its ecological preferences. This includes parts of departments such as Cundinamarca, Boyacá, and Santander.
Central Cordillera: In the Central Cordillera, the species can be found in forested areas in departments like Antioquia, Caldas, and Tolima. These areas provide the necessary forested environments at appropriate altitudes.
Inter-Andean Valleys: While primarily associated with higher elevations, the parrotlet might occasionally be observed in inter-Andean valleys that maintain patches of forested areas.
Western Cordillera: Though less common, there are also records of the spot-winged parrotlet in the Western Cordillera, where suitable habitats are present.
Taxonomy
The Spot-winged Parrotlet (Touit stictopterus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Touit stictopterus
- Species: Touit stictopterus
Vocalization
The spot-winged parrotlet is a small bird found in parts of South America in areas like Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Like many parrotlets, this bird is known for its vocalizations, which are typically high-pitched and sharp that serve various purposes, such as communication between individuals within flocks, and during mating rituals.
Their calls are often described as a series of short, high-pitched notes or whistles, which can be quite rapid. These sounds help the birds maintain contact with each other in their natural habitat, which often consists of dense forests where visibility is limited. Additionally, these vocalizations can serve as alarm calls to warn other parrotlets of potential threats.
