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Blue-crowned Parakeet
Thectocercus acuticaudatus
At a Glance
This large, long-tailed parakeet is native to dry forest and scrubby habitats in several parts of South America. Birds escaped from captivity have established feral populations around several cities in southern Florida and coastal southern California.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Perching Birds
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Behavior
Direct Flight
Range & Identification
Description
14-15" (37 cm). Large parakeet with long, pointed tail. Green all over with dull blue face and crown, dull pinkish bill, some red at base of tail.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Wing Shape
Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Long, Pointed
Songs and Calls
With a reputation as one of the quieter parakeets, they will however engage in typical parakeet screaming and screeching. They are gifted mimics and in captivity are capable of mimicking human speech.
Habitat
They are found in savannas, riparian woodlands and forest margins. Dense, rain forest such as along the Amazon does not seem to be preferred.
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Behavior
Eggs
Three to four white eggs are laid in a hole in a tree. After 26 days the eggs hatch and the chick will fledge in about 52 days.
Nesting
Three to four white eggs are laid in a hole in a tree. After 26 days the eggs hatch and the chick will fledge in about 52 days