Pyrrhura

Pyrrhura
Green-cheeked parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Tribe: Arini
Genus: Pyrrhura
Bonaparte, 1856
Type species
Psittacus vittatus[1]
Shaw, 1811
Species

See text.

Maroon-tailed parakeet (in front), and black-capped parakeet (behind); illustration by Keulemans, 1891

Pyrrhura (Greek Red/Fire Tail) is a genus of parrots in the Arini tribe. They occur in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America (Panama and Costa Rica). Most are restricted to humid forest and adjacent habitats, but one species, the blaze-winged parakeet, prefers deciduous or gallery woodland, and another, the Pfrimer's parakeet, is restricted to dry regions. Some species are highly endangered.

Depending on the species, the total length range from 22 to 30 cm (8.7 to 11.8 in). All have long, pointed tails, a mainly green plumage, and a relatively narrow, dark greyish to white eye-ring. Many have scaly or barred chest-patterns and a whitish, pale grey, buff or reddish ear-patch.

They typically move around in small, noisy flocks, flying swiftly at or below canopy level. Once settled in a tree they tend to be silent (especially if aware of danger) and difficult to spot. They nest in a tree-crevice.

Some species are popular in aviculture, where they are commonly referred to as conures instead of parakeets.[2]

  1. ^ "Psittacidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  2. ^ "Pyrrhura Conures | Beauty of Birds". 16 September 2021.