Plain Parakeet

Characterized by its slender silhouette and elongated, pointed tail, this medium-sized psittacine reaches an average length of 23 to 25 centimeters and weighs between 60 and 75 grams. The plumage is overwhelmingly a bright grass-green, fading into lighter, more yellowish-green hues on the underparts, face, and flanks. A subtle but distinct bluish-violet cast can be seen on the primary flight feathers during flight, while the bend of the wing displays a muted olive-brown patch. The robust, curved bill is of a pale horn-color, the iris is brownish-yellow, and the legs are dull gray. No sexual dimorphism is visually apparent, meaning males and females share identical external physical characteristics.

Geographical distribution This species is endemic to the eastern territory of Brazil, occupying a continuous coastal and inland strip that extends from the states of Alagoas and Bahia in the northeast down to Rio Grande do Sul in the south. Its range stretches inland across Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Paraná, remaining tightly associated with the geographic boundaries of the Atlantic Forest biome.

Habitat: It primarily inhabits humid subtropical and tropical lowland forests, montane forests, mature secondary growth, and forest edges. Possessing remarkable ecological adaptability, it has successfully colonized urban parks, residential gardens, and agricultural zones within major metropolitan centers, occurring from sea level up to elevations of 1200 meters.

Feeding Its diet is highly generalist and vegetarian, consisting of a rich variety of seeds, fleshy fruits, flowers, and nectar. It feeds extensively on wild figs from the genus Ficus, palm fruits such as those of the jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana), and the nectar of introduced Eucalyptus trees. To supplement its nutritional needs, particularly during the breeding season, it may also consume small invertebrates and larvae found on foliage.

Behavior: It is a highly gregarious and vocal bird, typically seen in active flocks of 10 to 40 individuals, which can swell into roosts of over a hundred birds during the non-breeding season. Its flight is swift, direct, and undulating, accompanied by continuous high-pitched screeching and chattering. It exhibits exceptional climbing skills, using its beak as a powerful third limb to navigate dense forest canopies where it spends most of its active daylight hours.

Nesting The breeding season takes place predominantly between September and January. This avian species establishes its nest in natural tree cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, or by excavating chambers inside active or inactive arboreal termite mounds. The clutch typically consists of 3 to 4 white, rounded eggs, incubated solely by the female for about 26 days, during which the male provides her with food. Both parents share the duty of feeding the altricial chicks, which fledge and leave the nest after five to seven weeks.

Conservation status It is currently assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Although the historic destruction and fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest have severely altered its pristine habitat, and despite being targeted by the illegal pet trade, the global population remains stable due to its high tolerance for human-modified landscapes and urbanized green spaces.