Ochre-marked parakeet
The ochre-marked parakeet is a vibrantly colored species of parrot native to Brazil. It is distinguished by its predominantly green plumage, accented with striking red patches, a dark crown, and a bright blue bib on its chest. This parakeet primarily inhabits the canopy of lowland humid forests and forest edges, and is currently listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss.
Key Facts
- ›Native to Brazil, with a fragmented and restricted current distribution.
- ›Features bright blue bib on the chest, red patches on the belly and shoulders, and a dark crown.
- ›Inhabits lowland humid forest canopy and forest edges.
- ›Feeds on seeds and fruits of secondary growth trees.
- ›Listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.
- ›Occurs in several protected areas in Brazil.
Blue-Throated Parakeet, Tiriba-Grande, Tiriba, Cara-Suja, Fura-Mato-Grande
Brazil
Lowland Humid Forest Canopy, Forest Edges, Small Clearings, Selectively Logged Forest, Shade Cocoa Plantations
Green, Red, Blue, Dark Brown, Blackish, Olive-Green, Brownish Red
- Conspicuous red patches on belly, rump, and shoulder
- Red patches before, below, and behind the eye
- Broad, bright blue bib on the chest
- Faint blue collar around the back of the neck
Seeds, Fruits
Tree Cavities
About Ochre-marked parakeet
The ochre-marked parakeet (Pyrrhura cruentata), also known by its Portuguese names tiriba-grande and tiriba, is a striking species of parrot endemic to Brazil. It is recognized for its predominantly green plumage, highlighted by vibrant red patches on its belly, rump, and shoulders, and a distinctive bright blue bib adorning its chest. This colorful parakeet inhabits the canopy of lowland humid forests and forest edges, occasionally extending its range to higher altitudes.
Habitat and Diet
This species thrives in the upper layers of humid forests and along their borders. It has also been observed adapting to clearings, selectively logged areas, and certain agricultural landscapes, such as shade cocoa plantations, where trees are preserved. Its diet primarily consists of seeds and fruits, with a notable preference for those from secondary growth trees like Trema micrantha and Cecropia. While it can persist in agricultural areas, feeding on agricultural crops has not been observed in its natural habitat.
Distribution and Conservation
Historically, the ochre-marked parakeet was relatively common across a broad swathe of southeastern Brazil, including parts of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro. However, extensive and ongoing deforestation has severely fragmented its range, leading to its current distribution being largely restricted to isolated reserves. The species is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List due to these habitat loss pressures. Efforts to protect the ochre-marked parakeet are underway, with the bird listed on CITES Appendix I and protected by Brazilian law. It is found in numerous protected areas, including national parks and biological reserves, which are crucial for its survival.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ochre-marked parakeet look like?
The ochre-marked parakeet is a predominantly green bird with distinctive red patches on its belly, rump, and shoulder, as well as around the eye. It has a dark brown to blackish crown and a broad, bright blue bib on its chest that extends as a faint collar around the back of the neck.
Where is the ochre-marked parakeet found?
This species is native to Brazil. Historically, it was common throughout much of southeastern Bahia, Espírito Santo, eastern Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro. Its current distribution is highly fragmented and mostly confined to isolated reserves.
What is the habitat of the ochre-marked parakeet?
The ochre-marked parakeet inhabits the canopy of lowland humid forests and their edges, occasionally found at higher elevations. It has also been observed in small clearings, selectively logged forests, and agricultural areas where forest trees are retained, such as shade cocoa plantations.
What does the ochre-marked parakeet eat?
Its diet consists of seeds and fruits, particularly from secondary growth trees like Trema micrantha and Cecropia. Feeding on agricultural crops has not been documented in the wild.
What is the conservation status of the ochre-marked parakeet?
The ochre-marked parakeet is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. This status is primarily due to extensive and ongoing forest clearance, which has led to its fragmented distribution.
When does the ochre-marked parakeet breed?
Breeding for the ochre-marked parakeet apparently occurs in the austral spring. During this period, they lay between 2 to 4 eggs in a tree cavity.
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