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The Aztec Parakeet, also known as the Olive-throated Parakeet, is a small to medium-sized parrot native to Central America. It is characterized by its predominantly green plumage, a distinctive olive-brown throat, and a relatively long, pointed tail. These social birds are often seen in flocks, foraging for fruits and seeds in various woodland and semi-open habitats.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 23-25 cm
- Wingspan
- 35-40 cm
- Weight
- 60-80 g
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years in the wild, up to 30 years in captivity
- Diet
- Herbivore (frugivore, granivore)
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Overall bright green plumage. The crown and nape are slightly duller green, often with a bluish tinge. The throat and upper breast are olive-brown, sometimes with a faint yellowish wash. The abdomen and undertail coverts are yellowish-green. Primary coverts and outer webs of primaries are blue. Underside of flight feathers is dusky. The tail is green, becoming bluish towards the tip, with the underside being dusky.
- Beak shape
- Strong, hooked beak; horn-colored with a darker tip.
- Eye color
- Dark brown iris with a pale, bare periophthalmic ring (eye-ring).
- Leg color
- Greyish-pink to greyish-brown.
- Distinguishing features
- The olive-brown throat patch is the most distinctive field mark. The pale eye-ring is also noticeable. Its relatively small size and pointed tail are characteristic.
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles resemble adults but may have a slightly duller plumage, a less distinct olive-brown throat, and a shorter tail. The eye-ring may be less prominent.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal plumage changes.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Males and females are monomorphic, appearing identical in plumage.
How to identify
- 1
Plumage Color
Look for the overall bright green body plumage.
- 2
Throat Color
The most reliable field mark is the olive-brown throat and upper breast. This distinguishes it from most other small green parakeets in its range.
- 3
Eye-ring
Note the pale, bare skin around the eye, which is often whitish or greyish.
- 4
Tail Shape
Observe the relatively long, pointed tail, characteristic of 'aratinga' type parakeets.
- 5
Vocalizations
Listen for its characteristic harsh, chattering 'scree-scree-scree' calls, often given in flight.
- 6
Social Behavior
Often seen in flocks, especially when flying or feeding, which can aid in detection.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, dry forests, woodlands, secondary growth, plantations, and semi-open areas with scattered trees.
- Geographic range
- Primarily found in Central America, from southeastern Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas) south through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. There are also isolated populations in western Panama.
- Elevation range
- Typically found from sea level up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet), occasionally higher.
- Preferred environments
- Prefers forest edges, clearings, riparian zones, cultivated areas with fruit trees, and coconut plantations. They adapt well to human-modified landscapes as long as sufficient food and nesting sites are available.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal, most active during the morning and late afternoon.
- Feeding habits
- Feeds primarily on a variety of fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, and flowers. They are known to feed on cultivated crops such as corn, mangoes, and citrus, sometimes causing damage. They forage in trees and shrubs, often hanging upside down to reach food.
- Social behavior
- Highly social birds, typically found in pairs or small to large flocks, especially outside the breeding season. Flocks can number from a few individuals to several dozen. They roost communally in trees.
- Flight pattern
- Flight is swift and direct, often in tight flocks. They have rapid wingbeats and can be quite agile. Flocks often fly in a somewhat undulating pattern.
- Migration pattern
- Resident throughout its range; generally non-migratory. Local movements may occur in response to food availability.
- Territoriality
- Pairs defend their nesting cavity during the breeding season, but flocks are generally not territorial over feeding grounds.
Song & calls
- Song
- Not known for a complex song. Their vocalizations are primarily calls.
- Call
- Produces a variety of harsh, chattering, and screeching calls. Common calls include a rapid, high-pitched 'scree-scree-scree' or 'kree-kree-kree' often given in flight or when perched. They also emit softer chattering sounds when feeding or interacting within a flock. Calls are generally less piercing than some larger parakeet species.
- When they vocalize
- Most vocal during flight, when foraging, and at communal roosts, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Varies geographically, typically from February to May in Mexico and Central America, coinciding with the dry season or early wet season.
- Nesting habits
- Nests in tree cavities, often old woodpecker holes, or sometimes in hollow limbs or stumps. They do not add nesting material, laying eggs directly on the wood debris at the bottom of the cavity.
- Clutch size
- 3-5 eggs.
- Egg description
- Typically 3-5 white, elliptical eggs.
- Incubation period
- Approximately 22-24 days, primarily by the female.
- Fledging period
- Chicks fledge around 5-6 weeks after hatching.
- Parental care
- Both parents participate in feeding the young after hatching. The male often feeds the female during incubation.
Where to find
Forest Edges and Clearings
Look along the margins of tropical and subtropical forests, where they often forage.
Agricultural Areas
Check fruit plantations (e.g., mango, citrus) and cornfields, where they can be abundant.
Riparian Zones
They are frequently found along rivers and streams where vegetation is dense.
Suburban Gardens
In areas with suitable trees and food sources, they can visit gardens and parks.
Field tips
- Listen for Calls. Their noisy calls are often the first indication of their presence, especially when they are flying overhead or foraging in dense foliage.
- Scan Fruit Trees. They are often found feeding in fruiting trees. Use binoculars to scan the canopy carefully.
- Look for Flocks. Outside the breeding season, they are usually in flocks. Look for groups of green birds flying together or perched communally.
- Dawn and Dusk. They are particularly active and vocal during early morning and late afternoon as they move to and from roosting sites.
Similar species
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Eupsittula canicularis
The Orange-fronted Parakeet has a distinct orange patch on its forehead and a yellow eye-ring, contrasting with the Aztec Parakeet's olive-brown throat and pale eye-ring. Its calls are also generally higher-pitched and more shrill.
Pacific Parakeet
Eupsittula strenua
Formerly considered a subspecies of the Aztec Parakeet, the Pacific Parakeet (found on the Pacific slope of Central America) is very similar but typically has a slightly larger bill and a more extensive, darker olive-brown throat patch that extends further onto the breast. Field identification can be challenging without clear views or knowledge of precise geographic location.
Green Parakeet
Psittacara holochlorus
The Green Parakeet is generally larger and lacks the distinct olive-brown throat patch of the Aztec Parakeet. Its plumage is a more uniform bright green, and its calls are typically louder and harsher.
Quick facts
- Common Name:
- Aztec Parakeet
- Scientific Name:
- Eupsittula nana
- Family:
- Psittacidae
- Conservation Status:
- Least Concern
- Diet:
- Fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers
- Habitat:
- Forest edges, woodlands, cultivated areas
- Geographic Range:
- Southeastern Mexico to Costa Rica, western Panama
- Distinguishing Feature:
- Olive-brown throat patch
Fun facts
- The Aztec Parakeet was formerly classified in the genus Aratinga, but molecular studies led to its reclassification into the genus Eupsittula.
- Despite its name, the 'Aztec' Parakeet's range extends well beyond the historical Aztec empire, covering much of Central America.
- They are known to form mixed-species flocks with other parakeet and parrot species, especially at communal roosts.
- Their ability to adapt to human-modified landscapes, including agricultural areas, has contributed to their stable population status.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Eupsittula
- Species
- Eupsittula nana
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