- Psittacara mitratus
Includes: Chapman's Parakeet and Hocking's Parakeet
Identification
Green, red forehead grading into scattered bright red feathers on crown, face, cheek, and sometimes on the bend in the wing and on the thighs, but underwing coverts always green (or if red present, then asymmetrical distribution of red). Dull green underparts are faintly washed olive. Sexes similar. Juvenile shows less red and has a brown rather than orange iris.
Variation
Subspecies mitratus has a good deal of red, while alticolus (higher elevation in same area) lacks red on thighs and have reduced red in face.
Similar species
Red-masked Parakeet is not naturally overlapping in range, but in areas of naturalized populations these may be found together. In such areas, Red-masked should have more complete and well defined red hood (in adults), and even in juveniles should show some red on underwing coverts, and they are smaller with relatively smaller bills. Mitred Parakeet as a rule has red in spots on head and body and never should have red on underwing coverts.
Distribution
Introduced populations are found in some parts of the USA, including Hawaii, Florida, California, and possibly New York.
Taxonomy
Four subspecies are recognized[1]:
- P. m. mitratus
- P. m. chlorogenys
- P. m. tucumanus
- P. m. alticola
A fifth subspecies hockingi has been proposed, and both this one and alticola have been proposed as full species (usually occurring at higher elevation than other Mitred Parakeets), currently without much support[2].
Formery placed in genus Aratinga.
Habitat
Dry subtropical forest, and rocky cliffs.
Behaviour
Calls are loud, raucous, and are given both when sitting and when flying.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Birdforum thread discussing Mitred Parakeet and potential splits
- National Geographic Society. 2011. Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 6th edition. Washington DC: National Geographic Society. ISBN 978-1-4262-0828-7
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Mitred Parakeet. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Mitred_Parakeet
