Mountain Parakeet (Psilopsiagon aurifrons)

Identification & Behavior: ~18 cm (7.1 in). The Mountain Parakeet varies on the amount of yellow on the forehead, cheeks, and underparts. The sub-species (aurifrons) has more yellow than other forms. The bill is pale and the tail is long and pointy. It generally congregates in flocks in open and semi-open habitats. It appears to undergo seasonal movements. It is similar to the Andean Parakeet but is distinguished by a longer and pointier tail, more slender appearance, and the use of drier habitats. Their ranges may only have limited overlap.

Status: The Mountain Parakeet is generally fairly common to uncommon on the west slope of the Andes and inter-Andean valleys from near sea level, in portions of its range, to 3900 m. It occurs at higher elevations in extreme southwest Peru on the western Andes and the Titicaca Basin. It also occurs in Bo and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Perico Cordillerano.

Sub-species: Mountain Parakeet (Psilopsiagon aurifrons robertsi), Carriker, 1933. NW Peru (Marañón Valley)
(P. a. aurifrons) (Lesson), 1831. W Andes of C & S Peru (to Arequipa).
(P. a. margaritae) (Berlioz and Dorst), 1956. Andes of S Peru (Puno) and CW Bolivia to N Chile (Antofagasta).

Meaning of Name: Bolborhynchus: Gr. Bolbos= a bulb and rhunkhos= the bill. aurifrons: L. aurum=gold frons= the front, the brow.

See more of the Family Psittacidae