Plain Parakeet Brotogeris tirica Scientific name definitions

The Plain Parakeet is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome of eastern Brazil, where it is a generally common resident in lowlands and foothills, to at least 1200 m, and is found from Alagoas south to Santa Catarina, and ranges inland as far as Goiás. It inhabits forests, second growth, semi-open areas, and cities, provided there are some trees. Just as its name suggests, this is a plain green-colored parakeet, although some blue is visible at the wing bend at rest and some bronzy coloration over the shoulder. It feeds on fruit, seeds and flowers, and perhaps also insects and their larvae, but given the Plain Parakeet’s general abundance—the species is common in many cities, including the huge metropolises of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo—it is perhaps surprising how little is known concerning this bird’s general biology.

23 cm; 63 g. Green , slightly more yellowish on undersides ; minor bluish tinge on nape; shoulder bronze green, flight-feathers  and underside of tail bluish green. Blue mutation on São Paulo coast. Immature has less blue in wings and shorter tail.

CE Brazil from Alagoas S to Santa Catarina; an isolated population recently found in Rio Grande do Sul (1 Bencke, G. A. (2010). New and significant bird records from Rio Grande do Sul, with comments on biogeography and conservation of the southern Brazilian avifauna. Iheringia, Série Zoologia 100(4): 391–402. Close ).

Canopy and edge of lowland and montane rain forest, secondary growth, semi-open cultivated land with scattered groves, plantations and city parks, generally in lowlands but ranging up to 1200 m.

Shifts in numbers occur, reflecting local seasonal movements.

Pulp of Posoqueria latifolia, seeds of Ficus glabra, Trema micrantha, Xylopia brasiliensis, Vriesea, Rhipsalis, Cecropia glazioui, Hieronyma alchorneoides, Merostachis, seeds and flowers of Tibouchina mutabilis and the mistletoe Psittacanthus, flowers  of Norantea brasiliensis and Eucalyptus, nectar  of Pseudobombax, possibly insects and their larvae. There are also photograps or videos of birds feeding on fruits or flowers of <em>Ceiba speciosa</em> , Erythrina mulungu, Scheffera sp., Euterpe edulis  and <em>Livistona chinensis</em> , as well as in feeding stations  .

Commonest vocalizations include a rather high-pitched shrill “cree” or bisyllabic “cra-creep”, and a lower-pitched, harsh-sounding “cra-cra-cra”, given both in flight and perched. Noisy in flight, individuals of a group often calling simultaneously. Large groups can make a loud cacophonous noise.

Probably Sept–Dec, the usual breeding season in SE Brazil, with records of nest in Sept and young in Jan. Nest in hollow in tree. In captivity: four eggs; incubation, only by female, lasted c. 26 days; young fledged at seven weeks.

Not globally threatened. CITES II. Common in many parts of its range, and probably now stable after centuries of slow decline as agriculture cleared out trees in many areas. Tolerates changes far more than any other parrot endemic to SE Brazil, as confirmed by presence in heart of São Paulo  . Present in many protected areas including Itatiaia National Park. Rare in captivity, and export banned from Brazil.