Black-headed white-bellied parrot

APPEARANCE

Short-tailed parrot with a body length of up to 24 cm and a weight of up to 170 g. The body is knocked down, stocky. Wings, nape and tail are grassy green. The chest and belly are white, with a black “cap” on the head. From the beak under the eyes to the back of the head, the feathers are colored yellow-white. The lower legs and inner tail feathers are reddish. The beak is gray-black, the periorbital ring is bare, black-gray. The eyes are orange, the paws are grey. There is no sexual dimorphism. Juveniles have yellow feathers interspersed on the chest and abdomen, and green on the thighs. The eyes are dark brown. One of the interesting features of these birds is their body position – almost vertical, which gives the bird a rather comical look. There are 2 subspecies that differ from each other in color elements. Life expectancy is 25 – 40 years.

HABITAT AND LIFE IN NATURE

It lives in the east of Ecuador, the south of Colombia, the northeast of Peru, the north of Brazil and Guyana. Prefer rainforests and savannas. Due to the reduction of habitats are under threat. They feed on the seeds of various plants, the pulp of fruits, flowers and greens. Sometimes insects are included in the diet and harm agricultural crops. Usually found in pairs, small flocks of up to 30 individuals. 

BREEDING

Nesting period in Guyana in December – February, in Venezuela – April, in Colombia – April, May, in Suriname – October and November. They nest in hollows. A clutch of 2-4 eggs is incubated only by the female. The incubation period is 25 days. The chicks leave the nest at the age of 10 weeks and are fed by their parents for a few more weeks.