Blue-fronted Parrotlet Touit dilectissimus Scientific name definitions

The Blue-fronted Parrotlet occurs from eastern Panama to northern Colombia and western Venezuela, and south to southwestern Ecuador; it is the only species of Touit parrotlet that occurs in this region. The Blue-fronted Parrotlet is mostly green, with a typical blunt tipped tail and yellow underwing coverts; the outer coverts on the upper surface of the wing are red, more extensively so in the male. The plumage is similar to that of the Red-fronted Parrotlet (Touit costaricensis) of Costa Rica and western Panama, and in some earlier classificiations these were considered to be two subspecies of a single species. Blue-fronted Parrotlet differs most conspicuously from Red-fronted by having a blue, not red, forecrown, and by having less red on the sides of the face. As is the case with most other species of Touit, the Blue-fronted Parrotlet is inconspicuous and poorly known.

17–18 cm; 59–71 g. Green, paler on underparts ; crown bronze-green except for blue forecrown ; lores and subocular streak red, both bordered blue below; eyering whitish; much red on edge of wing , primaries black with green outer edges, underwing-coverts yellow; tail black in middle, otherwise yellow tipped black. Female has less red in wing, dull green on head. Immature like female with reduced facial pattern.

Cloud forest and tall second growth in foothills and lower highlands, extending to lowlands at least seasonally, 100–1700 m, but mostly 500–1400 m in Andes; 1300–1600 m in Venezuela.

Seasonal movements take birds into lowlands and up to 3000 m.

Small fruits have been found in stomachs. Recorded in Ecuador feeding on fruits of Clusia cf. alata and Chrysochlamys macrophylla (both in family Clusiaceae) (1 Liu, V.J. and Lyons, J.A. (2012). Notes on the feeding activity and diet of the Blue-fronted Parrotlet (Touit dilectissima) in north-west Ecuador. Boletín SAO. 21(1-2): 45–49. Close ).

Most common calls are a slightly nasal “chree” or bisyllabic “chu-ree”. In flight, individuals of (typically fairly large) groups call simultaneously, resulting in a continuous, noisy chattering. When perched, also utters a soft churring “krr”.

Jun in Colombia; evidently May–Jun in Panama. Nest in arboreal termitarium . A nest in Colombia was c. 7 m above the ground; building started in Dec and eggs hatched in Mar (2 Olaciregui, C. and Urueña, L.E. (2011). First nesting record of Blue-fronted Parrotlet Touit dilectissimus with some ecological notes. Cotinga. 33: 84–86. Close ).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Uncommon to rare; part of range in N Colombia now deforested, and suffers from habitat loss within a small range, Venezuela; however, much habitat remains, little trade exists, and it is relatively secure.