Blaze-winged parakeet

The blaze-winged parakeet, scientifically known as Pyrrhura devillei and often called the blaze-winged conure in aviculture, is a species of parrot native to South America. It is recognized for its predominantly green plumage, accented by striking red and yellow markings on its wings and a distinctive maroon patch on its belly. This species is found in the Pantanal and Chaco regions, favoring habitats such as deciduous forests, gallery forests, and the transitional zones between these woodlands and adjacent scrublands and savannahs.

Taxonomy and Relationships

The blaze-winged parakeet belongs to the family Psittacidae, which includes African and New World parrots. It shares a close relationship with the maroon-bellied parakeet (P. frontalis), with some suggesting they might be the same species. Hybridization with P. f. chiripepe has been observed in Paraguay where their ranges overlap. The species is considered monotypic, meaning it has no recognized subspecies.

Physical Description

Adult blaze-winged parakeets measure between 25 to 26 centimeters (9.8 to 10 inches) in length. Both male and female birds exhibit similar appearances. Their heads feature a brownish crown and reddish-brown ear coverts, with the remainder of the face being yellowish-green. The upper body is green, while the chin, sides of the neck, and breast are yellowish-green, often with a scaly appearance due to brown feather edges. The central part of the belly is a notable maroon color, with the rest of the underparts matching the green of the upperparts. The wings are primarily green, distinguished by blue primary feathers, a red carpal area, and underwing coverts that are red and yellow. The tail is olive green on its upper surface, with maroon coloring on the outer third, and a dull rufous brown on its underside.

Distribution and Habitat

This parakeet's confirmed range includes the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the Alto Paraguay and Concepción departments of northeastern Paraguay. While the type specimen was originally noted as being collected in Bolivia, the area is now understood to be part of Paraguay. Sightings in Argentina are undocumented but lead some ornithological societies to consider it a hypothetical resident there. The blaze-winged parakeet thrives in the unique ecosystems of the Pantanal and Chaco, primarily within deciduous and gallery forests, as well as the ecotones connecting these forests to surrounding scrublands and savannahs.

Diet and Behavior

The blaze-winged parakeet's diet consists of fruits, seeds, and nuts, which are gathered from its forest and savannah environments. Information regarding its movements in the wild is limited. While perched birds can be relatively silent, the species is known for its vocalizations. Its most common call is a series of high-pitched, shrill notes. When in flight, particularly in flocks, they produce a noisy, harsh, and piercing chattering sound.

Breeding and Reproduction

Little is documented about the breeding biology of the blaze-winged parakeet in its natural wild habitat. However, observations in captivity reveal that females typically lay four to six eggs. The incubation period for these eggs is about 22 days, and the young parakeets fledge approximately seven to eight weeks after hatching.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of the blaze-winged parakeet has seen revisions by the IUCN. It was initially assessed as Least Concern, later as Near Threatened in 2009, and then returned to Least Concern in 2021. Despite having a somewhat limited range, this area is largely remote and undisturbed. Potential threats include logging, habitat conversion for agriculture, and the pet trade, but these do not appear to be significant issues currently. The species is considered rare to uncommon in Paraguay, while it is locally common in Brazil. It is also sometimes kept as a pet.