Hubbry Logo
Green parakeetGreen parakeetMain
Open search
Green parakeet
Community hub
Green parakeet
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Green parakeet
Green parakeet
Green parakeet
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Green parakeet
Temporal range: Pleistocene - Present[1]
Nominate subspecies in South Texas, United States
CITES Appendix II
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Psittacara
Species:
P. holochlorus
Binomial name
Psittacara holochlorus
(Sclater, PL, 1859)
Range of green parakeet sensu lato including the Socorro and Pacific parakeets (See the Taxonomy section)

The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus), green conure, or Mexican green conure[4] is a New World parrot. As defined by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), it is native to Mexico and southern Texas in the Rio Grande Valley.[5]

Taxonomy and systematics

[edit]

The green parakeet was formally described in 1859 by the English zoologist Philip Sclater under the binomial name Conurus holochlorus based on a specimen that had been collected near the town of Xalapa in the state Veracruz of southern Mexico.[6][7] The specific epithet holochlorus is from Classical Greek ὁλοχλωρος/holokhlōros meaning "all-green" or "all-yellow".[8] The green parakeet was formerly placed in the genus Aratinga,[7] but is now one of 12 species placed in the resurrected genus Psittacara that was introduced in 1825 by the Irish zoologist Nicholas Aylward Vigors.[9]

Three subspecies are recognised:[9]

  • P. h. brewsteri (Nelson, 1928) – northwest Mexico
  • P. h. holochlorus (Sclater, PL, 1859) – east, south Mexico
  • P. h. rubritorquis (Sclater, PL, 1887) – south Guatemala, Honduras and north Nicaragua

The subspecies P. h. rubritorquis has sometimes been considered as a separate species, the red-throated parakeet.[9]

The Socorro parakeet (Psittacara brevipes) was formerly considered as a subspecies.[9][10] The green parakeet was for a time placed in the genus Aratinga as A. holochlora but from about 2013 has been in its present genus Psittacara.[11][12]

Description

[edit]

The green parakeet is 28 to 30.5 cm (11 to 12 in) long and weighs about 230 g (8.1 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults of both subspecies are generally green that is paler and yellower on their underparts. Their cheeks and throat have variable amounts of red speckles. Their underwing coverts are yellowish green and the undersides of their flight feathers and tail are olive-yellow. Their iris is orange-red surrounded by bare pale beige skin, their bill horn colored, and their legs and feet brownish. The subspecies P. h. brewsteri is overall somewhat darker than the nominate and has a slight glaucous cast on its head.[13]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The nominate subspecies of the green parakeet is native in eastern Mexico from Nuevo León and Tamaulipas south to Veracruz. The subspecies P. h. brewsteri is in the northwestern Mexican states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and Chihuahua.[13] In the United States, the species is established in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas; that sub-population's origin is unknown but could be derived from introduced individuals or by natural dispersion.[14][15][16] Sightings in California, Florida, and New Mexico are believed to be of escaped or released cage birds and the species is not on those states' lists.[17][18][19][20]

In its native range, the green parakeet inhabits semi-open landscapes including deciduous woodland, gallery forest, and scrublands. It shuns humid lowland forest and is typically found at elevations between 500 and 2,000 m (1,600 and 6,600 ft). In Texas it is also found in cities and towns.[13]

Behavior

[edit]

The green parakeet is non-migratory but makes local movements in response to food availability.[13]

Its diet has not been fully documented but is known to include seed and fruits. It can be a crop pest.[13]

The breeding season has not been defined but appears to include at least January to April. It nests in tree cavities, caves, and cliff faces. The clutch size is four eggs. The incubation period is thought to be 23 days; the time to fledging and details of parental care are not known.[13]

Dickcissel male perched on a metal pole singing, with neck stretched and beak open.

Songs and calls
Listen to green parakeet on xeno-canto

Its variety of vocalizations include "sharp squeaky notes", "loud harsh calls", and "shrill noisy chattering". Its flight call is "a rolling, harsh and high pitched screek...screek."[13]

Status

[edit]

The IUCN follows the HBW taxonomy and so includes the Socorro and Pacific parakeets in its assessment of the green parakeet as being of Least Concern. It has estimated that the combined population numbers about 200,000 mature individuals and is decreasing. No immediate threats to the Mexican population have been identified.[2] NatureServe considers the species Vulnerable in Texas due to hunting pressure.[21]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Green parakeet

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) is a small to medium-sized , measuring approximately 32 cm in length, characterized by its predominantly bright green , long pointed , and dull pink bill, with occasional red speckling on the in some individuals. Native to tropical and subtropical regions from extreme southern in the United States southward through to northern , it thrives in diverse habitats including woodlands, forest edges, farmlands, plantations, and urban/suburban areas. This species belongs to the genus Psittacara within the Psittacidae family, though its taxonomy has historically been debated, with earlier classifications placing it in the genus Aratinga; three subspecies are recognized. Green parakeets are highly social birds that form flocks ranging from small groups to hundreds of individuals, often gathering in large nighttime roosts and exhibiting patterns. They are known for their loud, raucous, high-pitched screeching calls, including rolling chatters and grating screams, which aid in detection even when birds are not visible. As opportunistic feeders, they consume a varied diet of fruits, seeds, and other matter, occasionally becoming agricultural pests in flock formations. Breeding occurs primarily from to mid-July, with pairs nesting in cavities, such as those in dead Canary Island date palms, which they prefer for their suitability in urban settings. In southern , where a small persists—estimated at approximately 300-400 individuals as of 2007 in key areas like Brownsville and McAllen—the has shown expansion linked to habitat changes, including in adjacent Tamaulipas, . Overall, the global is estimated at approximately 200,000 mature individuals and is decreasing, and the green parakeet is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide range and adaptability, though localized threats like habitat loss from persist.

Taxonomy

Etymology and classification

The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) was formally described by English ornithologist Philip Lutley Sclater in 1859, who assigned it the binomial name Conurus holochlorus based on specimens from Jalapa, , . The specific epithet holochlorus is derived from the holos ("whole" or "entire") and chloros ("green"), reflecting the species' uniformly green plumage that distinguishes it from more variably colored relatives. Initially classified within the genus Conurus and later transferred to Aratinga, the green parakeet was into the Psittacara in the following DNA-sequence analyses that demonstrated Aratinga was polyphyletic and required subdivision into multiple to reflect evolutionary relationships among Neotropical parakeets. This reclassification was endorsed by the South American Classification Committee through proposal 578 in 2013, elevating Psittacara from a to full generic status for 12 , including P. holochlorus. Within the family , Psittacara holochlorus occupies a basal position in the genus Psittacara, forming a well-supported with congeners from and northern , such as the Pacific parakeet (P. strenuus), red-throated parakeet (P. rubritorquis), and Socorro parakeet (P. brevipes); this is sister to other Psittacara species, including the scarlet-fronted parakeet (P. wagleri), highlighting shared Neotropical ancestry among these parakeets. Taxonomic history has included debates over the status of insular populations, notably the Socorro parakeet, which was long treated as a subspecies (P. h. brevipes) of the green parakeet but was elevated to species rank in 2017 based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial genes (ND2 and COI) and , revealing recent divergence (approximately 50,000–100,000 years ago) with distinct vocalizations and minor plumage differences despite close morphological similarity.

Subspecies

The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) is currently recognized by some authorities as comprising three subspecies, though taxonomic classifications differ across checklists such as the American Ornithological Society (AOS) and the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), with only two consistently accepted by the AOS. The nominal subspecies P. h. holochlorus occupies a range from southern Texas through eastern and southern Mexico to northern Nicaragua, including disjunct populations in southeastern Oaxaca and Chiapas. P. h. brewsteri is distributed in the mountains of northwestern Mexico (Sonora, Sinaloa, and Chihuahua), with introduced populations in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas. P. h. rubritorquis, where recognized, is found in southern Mexico from Veracruz southward to Nicaragua, with non-overlapping ranges among all three across their distributions. Morphological variation among the subspecies is subtle but notable in plumage tone and size. P. h. brewsteri individuals are slightly larger (up to 5% longer in wing and tail measurements) than the nominal form, exhibiting duller plumage with reduced yellow tinges on the underparts and a longer tail, alongside a faint blue wash on the crown. P. h. rubritorquis is distinguished by more extensive red speckling on the throat and cheeks compared to the sparse or absent red in other , while sharing the overall vibrant body . These differences aid in field identification, though overlap occurs in transitional zones. Taxonomic validity of P. h. rubritorquis remains debated, with genetic studies indicating divergence potentially warranting species status. A 2017 phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA revealed distinct clades for rubritorquis, supporting its elevation due to genetic differentiation and geographic isolation, though morphological gaps were minor. However, a 2023 AOS proposal to split P. h. rubritorquis as the red-throated parakeet (Psittacara rubritorquis) failed, maintaining its status as a under P. holochlorus in the current AOS checklist; the IOC similarly lumps it without recognition. No recent genetic data (up to 2023) has prompted further revisions for brewsteri or the nominal form.

Physical characteristics

Plumage and morphology

The Green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) is a medium-sized with an average total length of 32–33 cm, a wing chord measuring 16.4–17.3 cm (164–173 mm), and body weight ranging from 210–250 g. It features a slender build with a long, pointed tail comprising about half its total length, strong feet equipped with zygodactyl toes (two forward and two backward) that facilitate perching and grasping. The is predominantly bright green overall, providing effective in forested environments, with darker green tones on the wings and tail feathers; the underparts are paler with a subtle yellowish tinge. Some individuals exhibit variable red speckling on the cheeks and throat, while the primary coverts and outer webs of show a faint blue sheen, and the underwing coverts are dull yellow-green. The bill is pale horn-colored, the bare eye ring is pinkish-gray, and the iris is orange-red in adults. Sexual dimorphism is minimal in adults, with males and females indistinguishable by or size. Juveniles possess duller coloration compared to adults and feature brown irises rather than orange-red. The undergoes an annual post-breeding molt to replace worn feathers. exhibit slight variations in intensity, such as darker tones and reduced yellow underparts in P. h. brewsteri.

Vocalizations

The Green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) employs a diverse repertoire of vocalizations essential for social communication, ranging from contact and signals to flock coordination. Primary calls consist of sharp, high-pitched "chree" or "chit" notes, often repeated as "chree-chree," which function as and contact signals among individuals or within groups. Flight calls are particularly distinctive, described as rolling, harsh, and high-pitched "screek-screek" or "kree-kree" sequences repeated 2–4 times, aiding in maintaining cohesion during travel. Beyond these, the species produces a variety of other sounds, including softer chattering notes when perched in flocks and louder, harsher screeches during aggressive encounters. These chattering vocalizations contribute to the shrill, noisy quality typical of group interactions, while perched birds may deliver series of short, sharp, high-pitched notes. of other bird species is rarely observed or reported in green parakeets. Vocalizations exhibit a high-pitched, piercing overall, with calls serving roles in territorial defense through alarm screeches and pair bonding via coordinated chattering and contact notes. In contextual use, green parakeets often engage in boisterous choruses at large nighttime roosts, particularly at dawn when flocks depart, contrasting with their relative quietude during where only occasional contact calls occur. Compared to related species, the green parakeet's calls are less raucous and voluminous than those of Amazon parrots (Amazona spp.), which feature deeper, more resonant screeches, but align closely with the high-pitched, strident vocal style of other Psittacara parakeets such as the crimson-fronted parakeet (P. finschi).

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) is native to the eastern regions of , extending from the states of and southward through the coastal lowlands and interior valleys of , , and , and continuing into northern as far as southwestern . This range encompasses the Middle American lowlands across , , and , where the species occupies a broad but patchy distribution. The northernmost extent of the range reaches the border areas, with an established small population in the Valley of southern , , likely representing an introduction. Historically, the ' distribution in was more extensive, but it has undergone contraction in these areas primarily due to intensive trapping for the international pet trade during the ; populations in have remained relatively stable despite ongoing pressures. The P. h. brewsteri occurs in northwestern (, , and Chihuahua); the population along the eastern - border is of the nominate P. h. holochlorus. The green parakeet is non-migratory, with only local movements associated with seasonal food availability, such as fruiting trees. Its overall distribution features discontinuous populations, often isolated by highland barriers like the Sierra Madre Oriental and other mountain ranges that limit connectivity between lowland areas.

Habitat preferences

The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) primarily inhabits tropical dry forests, semi-arid woodlands, riverine gallery forests, and the edges of more humid forests, favoring semi-open landscapes that provide a mix of wooded cover and clearings. These habitats are typically found from sea level up to approximately 1,500 m in elevation, where the species avoids dense, humid lowland rainforests in favor of drier, more fragmented environments. Key habitat features include the presence of large, mature trees suitable for nesting in natural cavities, alongside open areas that facilitate foraging on seeds and fruits. The species shows notable adaptability to seasonal droughts characteristic of its range, often concentrating in riparian gallery woodlands during drier periods for access to and reliable sources, while utilizing edges of agricultural areas such as orchards and plantations outside of breeding seasons. This tolerance for modified landscapes, including semi-arid scrublands and degraded former forests, allows it to persist in human-altered environments, though it remains dependent on scattered woodlands for reproduction. Habitat fragmentation, particularly in Mexico due to expanding agriculture and deforestation, has led to isolated populations and reduced connectivity among suitable patches, exacerbating vulnerability in core dry forest regions.

Behavior and ecology

Diet and foraging

The Green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) maintains a primarily granivorous and frugivorous diet, consisting of seeds from plants such as Mimosa species, fruits including Myrica mexicana, Ehretia anacua, Celtis laevigata, Washingtonia, and Melia azedarach, as well as cultivated crops like maize. Additional items include buds from Populus trees, acorns from Quercus species, and occasionally insects such as wool-bearing gall wasp larvae. In urban environments, such as in Xalapa, Mexico, the species has been observed consuming leaves and flowers from Tillandsia, Bougainvillea glabra, and Spathodea campanulata, highlighting dietary flexibility in modified habitats. Foraging occurs in large, noisy flocks outside the breeding season, particularly where food resources are abundant, with birds making long flights to reach distant sources during the nonbreeding period. The species employs its strong, hooked bill to crack open seeds and nuts, feeding both on the ground in open areas and in the canopy of wooded habitats up to 2,500 m , while avoiding dense tropical rainforests. Daily activity peaks in the morning and late afternoon, with birds roosting communally at night in tree cavities or other sheltered sites. Seasonal shifts may occur, including local movements in response to food availability and migrations to the Pacific slope in certain ranges. Green parakeets frequently raid agricultural fields for maize and fruits, leading to their classification as a minor crop pest in some regions of their range, though persecution is less intense than for larger parrot species. This opportunistic behavior supports a high-energy diet essential for sustained flight and daily activities, with fruits providing calcium and other minerals to meet physiological demands.

Reproduction and breeding

The Green parakeet breeds from to across its range, with timing varying by location; in the northern portion of its distribution, such as southern , breeding typically occurs from to July, while in more tropical southern regions it may extend longer or occur more opportunistically, often coinciding with the start of the rainy season. These parakeets form monogamous pairs during the breeding season and engage in behaviors including mutual and vocal exchanges, with vocal calls playing a role in pair bonding. As cavity nesters, green parakeets utilize natural tree hollows, rock crevices, cliffs, caves, or mounds for nesting sites, and they may nest colonially, particularly in caves in eastern ; the female lays a clutch of 3–4 eggs, which are incubated primarily by her for 23 days. Hatchlings emerge naked and are brooded and fed regurgitated food by both parents; the chicks develop feathers and after 50–60 days, remaining dependent on the adults for several weeks post-fledging.

Social behavior

Green parakeets (Psittacara holochlorus) exhibit highly , forming diurnal flocks that typically consist of small groups observed in wooded or suburban habitats. These flocks generally number in the tens of individuals, facilitating coordinated activities such as flight and movement between sites. At night, they congregate in larger communal roosts that can include up to hundreds of birds, particularly in areas like the Valley in southern where introduced populations persist. Flock dynamics are characterized by loose hierarchies often influenced by age, with older individuals tending to lead group decisions during travel. Interactions within flocks include behaviors that strengthen group cohesion, while aggressive displays such as wing flapping and bill snapping occur over access to resources like perching sites or food patches. Daily routines involve synchronized departures from roosts at dawn, with flocks engaging in noisy, coordinated flights to areas, followed by returns to roosts in the evening as light fades. Anti-predator strategies rely heavily on flock vigilance and collective responses; birds use calls to alert the group to threats, combined with evasive maneuvers like rapid, erratic flights to confuse predators. Vocalizations play a key role in flock communication, signaling danger or coordinating movements. While primarily conspecific, green parakeets occasionally form mixed flocks with other species, such as the olive-throated parakeet (Eupsittula nana), especially in overlapping habitats.

Conservation

Population status

The global population of the Green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) is estimated at 200,000 mature individuals. The species is classified as Least Concern on the . Overall, the population trend is decreasing at a slow to moderate rate, though it remains stable in core ranges such as . Regional variations show larger populations in , where long-term monitoring from 1995 to 2013 indicated stability and partial recovery in encounter rates and flock sizes after initial declines. In , populations are smaller and more fragmented, with documented local declines. In the United States, the species occurs in southern , where it is ranked as Vulnerable (S3) by NatureServe due to limited distribution and pressures. Monitoring efforts, including eBird data and local surveys, indicate no major changes since the 2018 IUCN assessment, though potential undercounting persists in remote areas. Demographic parameters include a generation length of 7 years and a moderate reproductive rate, typically involving clutches of 3–4 eggs per .

Threats and conservation efforts

The Green Parakeet faces primary threats from and degradation across much of its range, driven by the expansion of intensive and ranching, which fragment woodlands and edges essential for its survival. exacerbates this loss by converting natural habitats into developed areas. Illegal capture for the pet trade represents another major risk, particularly in and , where trapping activities peaked during the 1980s and 2000s, leading to unsustainable removals from wild populations. for and further pressures the in parts of , while nest targets breeding sites for the trade. The subspecies Psittacara holochlorus brevipes, endemic to , , and estimated at around 300 individuals as of 2006–2007, encounters additional localized threats including and habitat degradation from heavy sheep-grazing, which inhibits forest regeneration, as well as predation by feral cats. Pesticides used in agriculture and may also pose risks by affecting food sources and altering seasonal patterns. Conservation efforts for the Green Parakeet include its listing under Appendix II since 1981, which has helped limit through export permits and monitoring to ensure sustainability. Protected areas play a crucial role, with populations occurring in reserves such as Mexico's Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and Guatemala's , where habitat preservation safeguards nesting and foraging sites. programs in have helped restore degraded habitats. Population monitoring by Partners in Flight tracks trends and informs targeted interventions, identifying high-risk areas for priority action. For the endangered brevipes , captive-breeding programs and invasive species control—such as sheep and cat management on —aim to bolster numbers for potential reintroduction. Overall, while ongoing continues to pose risks, mitigation of trade and threats could stabilize populations.

References

  1. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/green-parakeet
  2. https://ebird.org/species/grnpar
  3. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/introduction
  4. https://txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/green-parakeet/
  5. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/green-parakeet-psittacara-holochlorus
  6. https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=19C2491A
  7. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/systematics
  8. https://bioone.org/journals/bulletin-of-the-american-museum-of-natural-history/volume-2024/issue-468/0003-0090.468.1.1/Revised-Evolutionary-and-Taxonomic-Synthesis-for-Parrots-Order--Psittaciformes/10.1206/0003-0090.468.1.1.full
  9. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10336-017-1465-4
  10. https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=67D6698A2EA0D41A
  11. https://checklist.americanornithology.org/taxa/10961
  12. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/448166-Psittacara-holochlorus-rubritorquis
  13. https://parrots.org/encyclopedia/green-conure/
  14. https://americanornithology.org/about/committees/nacc/current-prior-proposals/2023-proposals/
  15. https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/updates/species-updates/
  16. https://app.birda.org/species-guide/13427/Green_Parakeet
  17. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/appearance
  18. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/sounds
  19. https://abcbirds.org/bird/green-parakeet/
  20. https://birdingdepot.com/green-parakeet/
  21. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/distribution
  22. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/habitat
  23. https://www.abcbirds.org/bird/green-parakeet/
  24. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62296899/132190435
  25. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/foodhabits
  26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avrs.2022.100019
  27. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/breeding
  28. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.grnpar.01
  29. https://fatbirder.com/ornithology/psittacidae-african-and-new-world-parrots/
  30. https://app.mybirdbuddy.com/birds/green-parakeet/9a9378bd-8e5d-4b41-bc12-a8a5f85d368f
  31. https://books.google.ca/books?id=kqYmmbZXlOkC
  32. https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/05/03/a-biologist-tells-the-story-of-americas-only-two-native-parakeets---one-lost-to-the-world-forever-in-1918-and-another-that-thrives-in-south-texas/
  33. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/oltpar1/cur/introduction
  34. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270922000399
  35. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnpar/cur/demography
  36. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1130582/Psittacara_holochlorus
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
Contribute something
User Avatar
No comments yet.