Hocking’s Conure discovered in 2006

Hocking’s Conure Aratinga hockingi NOT YET EVALUATED

General plumage green; paler to breast and abdomen, forehead, forecrown and eye area dark red; scattering of red feathers to sides of head; also to throat, nape, breast and abdomen; greater under wing-coverts as well as underside of flight and tail feathers olive-yellow; periophthalmic ring whitish; iris yellow-brownish; feet flesh-coloured; bill horn-coloured. Differs from Mitred parakeet in lacking complete red ring around eye.
The red half-moon on forehead clearly seperated from the eye. No red feathers on tibia. Beware of immature Mitred Parakeets that lack lack large amount of red.. Found in mountains east of Utcubamba Valley and Chachapoyas, Dpt. Amazonas, as well as the Carpish mountains and adjacent ridge south of the upper Huallaga river and in eastern Andean valleys in the departments of Ayacucho and Cuzco, Peru. Favours higher cloud forests of the sub-tropical zone between 1,760 m and 3,000 m (4,570 and 9,900 ft), which can be found in a narrow strip along the eastern slopes of the Andes; visits dry agricultural areas. Forages in pairs, small groups and flocks of up to 100 birds; conspicuous because of noise; occasionally associates with Mtred Conure (Aratinga mitrata); call raucous and deep. Natural diet is little known, probably fruits, seeds, berries and nuts; foraged in trees; occasionally forages in cultivated areas causing considerable damage to crops.