Santa Marta Conures or Santa Marta Parakeets

Conure Info / Conures as Pets … Index of Conure Species … Photos of the Different Conure Species for Identification

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Santa Marta Conures or Santa Marta Parakeets – also sometimes referred to as Santa Maria Conures (Pyrrhura viridicata) are endemic to very localized areas in Northern Colombia in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and San Lorenzo.

Status:

Populations are declining as a result of habitat loss as forest areas are converted to marijuana and coca plantations resulting in loss of habitat. They are also hunted for food in the Río Frío valley.

It is estimated that only 5,000 – 10,000 still exist in their natural habitat and this species is unknown in the bird trade. This species is, therefore, considered endangered.

Breeding:

Two breeding seasons have been identified – January to March and May to June.

Diet / Feeding

Their diet is believed to consist of epiphytic plants, flowers and seeds of Cordiaceae and various other tree species.

Description:

Average length is 25 cm or 10 inches (including tail). The plumage is overall green, but with a red frontal band. They have white orbital rings and maroon ear-coverts. There is a red band on the belly. The carpal and primary coverts are red-orange. They have blue primaries (= longest wing feathers) and the underside of the tail is red.

Similar Species: Red-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga wagleri) – larger with more red on the forecrown. It has an all-green tail and different coloration on wings and belly.

Calls / Vocalizations:

Soft chatterings while feeding and screeching flight calls.

Other Names:

French: Conure des Santa Marta

German: Santa-Marta-Sittich

Spanish: Cotorra de Santa Marta

Scientific: Pyrrhura viridicata Todd, 1913

Conures as Pets (Suitability, Personality, Pros and Cons, Care Requirements)

Breeding / Aviculture

Species Research by Sibylle Johnson

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