White-winged Parakeet

Brotogeris versicolurusOrder: PSITTACIFORMESFamily: Parakeets and Parrots (Psittacidae)

Overview

White-winged Parakeet: A medium-sized parakeet, green overall with yellow-and-white wing patches, and pale, teardrop-shaped eye-ring. The green tail is long and pointed. Hooked bill varies in color from yellow-pink to olive-brown. Legs and feet are pink-gray. Swift direct flight on rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

White-winged Parakeet: Native of South America but introduced to California and Florida in 1960’s and 1970’s, where feral populations became established from released and escaped birds. The Florida population peaked at 2,000 in the 1970’s, and occurred on both coasts of Florida. However, populations are declining slowly and today only a few individuals occur in California, and a few hundred remain in Miami. Found in urban and suburban areas including parklands with tropical plantings.

Listen:

Voice Text

"squawk", "chirp"

White-winged Parakeet

● Song: "squawk", "chirp"

● Foraging & Feeding: White-winged Parakeet: Eats seeds, berries, fruits, blossoms, and buds. Forages high in trees, but readily descends to within 6 feet of the ground to forage in low trees; occasionally drops to the ground under bird feeders.

● Breeding & nesting: White-winged Parakeet: Five white eggs are laid in a palm tree cavity with no nesting material added. Female incubates eggs for 26 days; male enters the nest to bring food and sleep at night. Young stay in nest for about 6 weeks and are fed by both parents.

● Similar species: White-winged Parakeet: Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, also found in south Florida, lacks white wing patches.

Flight Pattern

Swift direct flight on rapidly beating wings., Usually flies just above canopy.

● Range & Habitat: White-winged Parakeet: Native of South America but introduced to California and Florida in 1960’s and 1970’s, where feral populations became established from released and escaped birds. The Florida population peaked at 2,000 in the 1970’s, and occurred on both coasts of Florida. However, populations are declining slowly and today only a few individuals occur in California, and a few hundred remain in Miami. Found in urban and suburban areas including parklands with tropical plantings.

^BreedingMonogamous

^PopulationRare

^MigrationNonmigratory

^Weight1.9 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America