Psittaciformes - Forpus - Turquoise Winged Parrotlet

Turquoise Winged Parrotlet - Forpus Spengeli - Least Concern

The turquoise-winged parrotlet (Forpus spengeli) is a species of parrot in the family Pscittacidae.

Description

Turquoise-winged parrotlets are typically 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long and weigh about 28 grams (0.99 oz). Their bodies are mostly yellow-green; eyes are dark brown and legs and beak are light peach. Turquoise-winged parrotlets are sexually dimorphic: males have bright turquoise feathers on their lower backs and rumps, and have purple-blue underwing coverts and axillaries. Females have no blue markings, but their foreheads and faces are brighter yellow-green than males'. Like all parrots, turquoise-winged parrotlets exhibit zygodactyly: two toes face forward and two toes face backward.

Distribution and Habitat

Turquoise-winged parrotlets are found in northern Colombia from the Caribbean coastal region southwest of the Santa Marta Mountains, Atlantico, and south along the Rio Magdalena in Bolívar and Cesar.

Turquoise-winged parrotlets are most often found in drier, open or riparian woodlands, cerrado, caatinga, savanna, palm groves, semi-arid scrubland, and pastures.

Conservation

There is not an estimate for the number of turquoise-winged parrotlets, but it is believed that their population is decreasing because of increased human interference and habitat destruction. Turquoise-winged parrotlets are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Behavior and Ecology

Turquoise-winged parrotlets are highly gregarious and are often found in flocks of up to 50 birds.

Reproduction

The turquoise-winged parrotlet's breeding season is May to August. Females lay 3-7 small white eggs.