Blue-winged Parrotlet

About the Blue-winged Parrotlet

The cobalt-rumped parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius) or blue-winged parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. There are two subspecies: Salvadori's cobalt-rumped parrotlet (F. x. flavescens) and Hellmayr's cobalt-rumped parrotlet (F. x. flavissimus).

Cobalt-rumped parrotlets are found in much of central and northern South America. Their range is split by each subspecies, as described above. It is generally common and widespread, though more localized in the Amazon Basin.

Cobalt-rumped parrotlets are mainly found in lowlands. They occur in dry and riparian woodlands, cerrado, caatinga, palm groves, semi-arid scrubland, savanna, and pastures. Cobalt-rumped parrotlets tend to avoid densely forested areas. They are not found at altitudes above 1,200 metres (3,900 ft).

Cobalt-rumped parrotlets are generally non-migratory; however, populations in Argentina move locally according to the flowering seasons of various plant species in their diet. Populations in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are altitudinal migrants.

The number of cobalt-rumped parrotlets is unknown, but the population is stable. It is listed... Wikipedia →