Orange-chinned parakeet

The orange-chinned parakeet, scientifically known as Brotogeris jugularis and often referred to as the Tovi parakeet, is a small parrot species inhabiting a broad range across southern Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela. This species is a member of the Psittacidae family, encompassing African and New World parrots.

Description and Appearance

Adult orange-chinned parakeets typically measure between 18 and 19 centimeters in length and weigh between 53 and 65 grams. Their plumage is predominantly a bright green, accented by a bluish wash on the crown and a distinct white eye ring. The most characteristic feature, from which it derives its name, is a small orange chin patch, although this can sometimes be subtle. Their upperparts and tail exhibit a bluish-green hue, contrasted by brown wing coverts that appear as 'shoulders' when the bird is perched. The underparts are mostly bright green, with bluish vent and thighs, and the underwing coverts are yellow.

Distribution and Habitat

The orange-chinned parakeet thrives in semi-open to open landscapes. Its preferred habitats include savannas, deciduous woodlands, secondary and gallery forests, agricultural plantations, and even the treed areas within towns. They tend to avoid dense evergreen forests. The species' elevational range extends from sea level up to approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 feet).

Behavior and Diet

These parakeets are generally sedentary, though some populations exhibit local wandering after the breeding season. They are typically observed in pairs or small social flocks. Their diet is diverse, consisting mainly of fruits and seeds, but also including flowers, herbs, nectar, insects, and algae. They have been noted to damage cultivated fruits and, like many parrots, consume mineral-rich soil.

Breeding and Vocalization

The breeding season for the orange-chinned parakeet falls between January and April. They utilize existing cavities for nesting, such as old woodpecker holes or natural tree hollows, and are also known to excavate nests within arboreal termite mounds. Communal nesting has been observed in large, rotten snags. A typical clutch contains four to seven eggs. In captivity, incubation lasts about 21 to 26 days, with fledging occurring approximately two to three weeks after hatching.

Their vocalizations are characterized by high-pitched calls, including a 'klee' sound, a shrill 'chree', and a bisyllabic 'chree-chree', used both while perched and in flight. They also produce a rapid chattering series described as 'cra-cra-cra-cra-cra' and a near-constant, harsh chatter.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the orange-chinned parakeet as 'Least Concern.' The species possesses a very large geographic range and an estimated population of at least half a million mature individuals. However, this population is believed to be undergoing a decrease, though no immediate threats have been identified. They are considered common to abundant across most of their range, with the exception of Oaxaca, Mexico, where they are uncommon.