Austral Parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus)

Austral Parakeet

Austral Parakeet

[order] PSITTACIFORMES | [family] Psittacidae | [latin] Enicognathus ferrugineus | [authority] Muller, 1776 | [UK] Austral Parakeet | [FR] Conure magellanique | [DE] Smaragdsittich | [ES] Cachana (Arg, Cl), Cotorra Cachana | [NL] Magelhaenparkiet | [copyright picture] Richard Wolf

Subspecies

Monotypic species

Genus

This genus comprises two species. The Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus leptorhynchus), is a bird species in the parrot family. It belongs to the smaller long-tailed Arinae (macaws and conures), and is consequently also known as Slender-billed Conure. It is endemic to southern Chile and Argentina; is known by the common name Choroy. The second species in this genus is the Austral Parakeet, Austral Conure or Emerald Parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is a parrot found on the southern tip of South America – further south than any other parrot – ranging as far north as Temuco.

Physical charateristics

E.f. ferrugineus: both adults dull green in colour with soft black/grey barring; red/brown forehead and lores; red/brown patch in centre of abdomen; brown/red tail. Dark grey bill. Eye ring grey. Eye red/brown. E.f. minor: both adults darker green; abdominal patch darker brown/red and less extensive, sometimes absent; smaller in size.

Listen to the sound of Austral Parakeet

[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/PSITTACIFORMES/Psittacidae/sounds/Austral Parakeet.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

recorded by Fabrice Schmitt


wingspan min.: 0 cm wingspan max.: 0 cm
size min.: 28 cm size max.: 36 cm
incubation min.: 25 days incubation max.: 27 days
fledging min.: 0 days fledging max.: 0 days
broods: 1   eggs min.: 4  
      eggs max.: 8  

Range

South America : Southern Cone

Habitat

Found at a variable range of altitudes, this species stays near sea level in the extreme southern portion of its range, but can be found up to 2000 meters in elevation at more northerly portions of its range. Mostly in wooded country; also in more open habitat and cultivated areas.

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Did You Know?The Andean Parakeet nests in burrows in steep banks.

Status in the Wild
World Population:
Not recorded

Range: N Peru to CW Bolivia.

Habitat:
Found from 3000-4000m (9840-13,120ft) in semi-arid upland woods in subtropical and temperate zones including drier cloud forests, bushy habitats in ravines in open country, elfin woodland at edge of paramo and grassy slopes with bromeliads and scattered woodland patches. May also visit rural areas and farmland.

Reproduction

The Austral Parakeet is a cavity-nester and usually lays 4-8 eggs in a deep, hollow, tree cavity. Scratching sides of cavity for thin bits of wood to line nest. May also add loose feather when they find them, but will not pluck their own.

Feeding habits

Mainly a seed-eating bird, this species is very tame and often lives in close association with humans, where it has been known to cause significant damage to local grain crops. They will also east nuts, fruits, berries, and leaf buds when available.

Video Austral Parakeet

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc4HYwifTiw

copyright: German Pugnali


Conservation

This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Austral Parakeet status Least Concern

Migration

Resident

Distribution map

Austral Parakeet distribution range map

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