Green parakeet

Green parakeet
Nominate in south Texas, United States
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Superfamily:	Psittacoidea
Family:	Psittacidae
Subfamily:	Arinae
Tribe:	Arini
Genus:	Psittacara
Species:	P. holochlorus
Binomial name
Psittacara holochlorus (Sclater, 1859)

The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus), is a medium-sized parrot that is native to Central America, from Mexico south to northern Nicaragua. These birds have established self-sustaining populations in some cities in South Texas in the United States. It is unclear if the US population are feral released birds or may be some wild vagrants which have moved north from Mexico. The green parakeet is usually nonmigratory, but will move sometimes to take advantage of food supplies.

The Pacific parakeet, formerly considered a distinct species, is now placed herein as a subspecies Psittacara holochlorus strenuus.

Description

The bird is 32 cm in length, and is mostly green in color. It also has a yellow beak. The bird feeds on seeds, various fruits, and corn. It can sometimes be considered a crop pest. Wild birds primarily use scrub and swamp forests, woodlands, and forest clearings. The US population takes advantage of palm groves in cities.

Green parakeet pairs usually find holes in trees to nest in where the female lays three or four eggs. It will also nest colonially in crevices on cliff faces. After the breeding season is completed, the birds will form large communal roosts.

References

• "National Geographic" Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0-7922-6877-6
• Handbook of the Birds of the World Vol 4, Josep del Hoyo editor, ISBN 84-87334-22-9
• "National Audubon Society" The Sibley Guide to Birds, by David Allen Sibley, ISBN 0-679-45122-6