Blue-crowned Parakeet
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. The Blue-crowned Parakeet has escaped from captivity and 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
Parrots and Allies, Perching Birds
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Region
California, Florida
Behavior
Direct Flight
Range & Identification
Description
Sexes similar — Length: 14-15 in (35-38 cm); wingspan: 18-20 in (46-51 cm); weight: 4.2-5.3 oz (120-150 g). The Blue-crowned Parakeet is a large parakeet with a 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
Color
Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow
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.
Call Pattern
Flat, Rising, Undulating
Call Type
Chatter, Harsh, Raucous, Scream
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
A Blue-crowned Parakeet lays three to four white eggs 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
