Rose-fronted Parakeet Pyrrhura roseifrons Scientific name definitions

The taxonomy and nomenclature of Pyrrhura parakeets are complicated, and the current classification of the Rose-fronted Parakeet is a good example of this confusing state of affairs. For many decades, the Rose-fronted Parakeet was classified as a subspecies of the Painted Parakeet (Pyrrhura picta), although the extensively red head of roseifrons differentiates it from most other members of the picta group. In common with many other Pyrrhura parakeets, especially within the Painted Parakeet and the Maroon-faced Parakeet (Pyrrhura leucotis) parakeet groups, roseifrons is mostly green, with a red tail and center to the belly, and whitish auriculars that form a pale patch on the sides of the head.

The nominate subspecies of Rose-fronted Parakeet is easily is distinguished from other Pyrrhura by the bright red color of the head; however, a second subspecies, peruviana, lacks red on the head, appearing very similar to the Bonaparte's Parakeet (Pyrrhura lucianii) of southwestern Brazil. Despite these differences, the available genetic evidence suggests that peruviana and roseifrons do constitute a single lineage, nonetheless.

The Rose-fronted Parakeet is widespread and fairly common in lowland evergreen forest, but the biology of this species is very poorly known. Subspecies roseifrons occurs in western Amazonia, in eastern Peru, and western Brazil south of the Marañón and Amazon rivers south into northern Bolivia. Subspecies peruviana occurs in two separate areas: northwestern Amazonian Peru north of the Marañón river, and in the Apurímac valley in south central Peru.