A fairly scarce but widespread Andean parrot, occurring from western Venezuela to Bolivia. This parrot has a plain green body with red undertail coverts and yellowish bill. Head color varies from slaty blue to bright pinkish-maroon with variable amounts of white speckling, sometimes looking like it was dusted with thick snow. Pairs or small flocks occur in montane forest, typically from around 2,000 m up to treeline. This is higher on average than other montane Pionus parrots like Red-billed, although there is some overlap. Often seen flying overhead, where the deep wingbeats eliminate other genera of parrots (like Scaly-naped Parrot, which has shallower wingbeats typical of Amazona parrots).