Speckle-faced Parrot (Pionus tumultuosus)

Identification & Behavior: ~27 cm (10.6 in). The Speckle-faced Parrot has a red wine forehead (tumultuosus) or pale forehead and gray head (seniloides) and pale specks on the cheeks, sides of the neck, and nape. The breast is dusky blue or gray. The bill is pale. The undertail coverts are bright red. It is similar to the Red-billed Parrot, and the Blue-headed Parrot, but is distinguished by having a heavily speckled head.

Status: The Speckle-faced Parrot is uncommon on the east slope of the Andes at elevation ranging between 1400-3300 m. It also occurs in humid forest on the west slope of the Andes in the Department of Cajamarca. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Loro Tumultuoso.

Sub-species: Speckle-faced Parrot (Pionus tumultuosus seniloides), Massena and Souancé, 1854. CE Colombia and N Ecuador to NW Peru.
(P. t. tumultuosus), Tschudi, 1844. C & S Peru (S from Huánuco) and mountains of Bolivia (E to Santa Cruz).

Meaning of Name: Pionus: Gr. Pion, pionos= bulky, fat. tumultuosus: L. restless and uproarious.

See more of the Family Psittacidae