Pyrrhura



Pyrrhura is a genus of parrots in the Arini tribe. They occur in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America (Panama and Costa Rica). Most are restricted to humid forest and adjacent habitats, but one species, the Blaze-winged Parakeet, prefers deciduous or gallery woodland, and another, the Pfrimer's Parakeet, is restricted to dry regions. Some species are highly endangered.

Depending on the species, the total length range from 22 to 30 cm (8½-12 in). All have long, pointed tails, a mainly green plumage, and a relatively narrow, dark greyish to white eye-ring. Many have scaly or barred chest-patterns and a whitish, pale grey, buff or reddish ear-patch.

They typically move around in small, noisy flocks, flying swiftly at or below canopy level. Once settled in a tree they tend to be silent (especially if aware of danger) and difficult to spot. They nest in a tree-crevice.

Some species are popular in aviculture where they commonly are referred to as conures instead of parakeets.

The taxonomy of some groups, in particular the Pyrrhura picta and the P. leucotis complexes, has changed significantly in recent years. In late 2008 it was proposed that the members of the P. picta complex from north-eastern Peru (the so-called "group 6" in Joseph, 2002) should be considered a new species, the Amazon Red-fronted Parakeet, P. parvifrons. This has yet to receive widespread recognition (e.g., by SACC), and consequently it is not included in the below list.

Species

 * Blue-throated Parakeet, Pyrrhura cruentata.
 * Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Pyrrhura frontalis.
 * Blaze-winged Parakeet, Pyrrhura devillei – traditionally a subspecies of P. frontalis.
 * Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Pyrrhura perlata – formerly P. rhodogaster.
 * Pearly Parakeet, Pyrrhura lepida – formerly P. perlata.
 * Green-cheeked Parakeet, Pyrrhura molinae.
 * Painted Parakeet, Pyrrhura picta.
 * Venezuelan Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) emma – traditionally a subspecies of P. leucotis.
 * Sinú Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) subandina – possibly extinct.
 * Todd's (Perijá) Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) caeruleiceps.
 * Azuero Parakeet, Pyrrhura (picta) eisenmanni.
 * Santarém (Hellmayr's) Parakeet, Pyrrhura amazonum – traditionally a subspecies of P. picta.
 * Madeira Parakeet, Pyrrhura (amazonum) snethlageae.
 * Bonaparte's (Deville's) Parakeet, Pyrrhura lucianii – traditionally a subspecies of P. picta.
 * Rose-fronted Parakeet, Pyrrhura roseifrons – traditionally a subspecies of P. picta.
 * Wavy-breasted Parakeet, Pyrrhura (roseifrons) peruviana.
 * White-eared (Maroon-faced) Parakeet, Pyrrhura leucotis.
 * Grey-breasted Parakeet, Pyrrhura (leucotis) griseipectus.
 * Pfrimer's Parakeet, Pyrrhura pfrimeri – traditionally a subspecies of P. leucotis.
 * Fiery-shouldered Parakeet, Pyrrhura egregia.
 * Santa Marta Parakeet, Pyrrhura viridicata.
 * Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Pyrrhura melanura.
 * El Oro Parakeet, Pyrrhura orcesi.
 * Black-capped (Rock) Parakeet, Pyrrhura rupicola.
 * White-necked Parakeet, Pyrrhura albipectus.
 * Flame-winged (Brown-breasted) Parakeet, Pyrrhura calliptera.
 * Red-eared Parakeet, Pyrrhura hoematotis.
 * Rose-headed (Rose-crowned) Parakeet, Pyrrhura rhodocephala.
 * Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Pyrrhura hoffmanni.