Brown-breasted Parakeet

About the Brown-breasted Parakeet

The flame-winged parakeet (Pyrrhura calliptera), also known as the brown-breasted parakeet, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to forest edge and shrub at altitudes of 1,700–3,400 m (5,600–11,200 ft) above sea level on the east Andean slope in Colombia. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The species was first formally described as Conurus callipterus in 1854 by the French ornithologist Charles de Souancé, after studying a specimen from the collection of his uncle, François Victor Massena, 3rd Duke of Rivoli.

The genus name Pyrrhura is derived from the Ancient Greek purrhos (red) and oura (tail). The species epithet calliptera is also from Ancient Greek: kallos (beauty) and pteros (winged). The species is monotypic: no subspecies have been identified. The International Ornithologists' Union lists the species as flame-winged parakeet, the other four major taxonomic authorities refer to it as the brown-breasted parakeet.

A medium-sized parakeet, the brown-breasted parakeet measures 22–23 cm in length. The throat and upper breast are medium brown with light edges giving a scalloped appearance. The head of the bird... Wikipedia →