The New Neotropical Companion

Parrots

Like toucans, parrots are quintessentially tropical,

but they are global in distribution; 374 species occur

mainly in tropical forests of the Southern Hemisphere.

In the Neotropics, 136 species of the family Psittacidae

(order Psittaciformes) can be found, ranging from the

spectacular large macaws (genera Ara, Cyanoliseus,

Anodorhynchus; plate 15- 53) to the sparrow- size

parrotlets (genus Forpus). Among the most commonly

encountered of the New World parrots are the chunky,

short- tailed amazons (most in the genus Amazona).

There are also moderate- size, long- tailed parrots known

collectively as parakeets (plates 15- 54– 55). Many

parakeets are in the genus Aratinga. Parrots are mostly

green (though there are some dramatic exceptions) and

can be remarkably invisible when perched in the leafy

forest canopy, quietly and methodically devouring fruits.

Parrots often reveal their presence by vocalizing,

usually a harsh screech or squawk. No parrot is

naturally melodious. Indeed, the large macaws commit

a bit of an assault on the ears, such is the harshness of

their squawks. Often a parrot flock will suddenly and

unexpectedly burst from a tree like shrieking banshees.

With few exceptions, there is little or no difference

in plumage between the sexes in parrots (plate 15- 56).

Parrots are gregarious; it is uncommon to find only

one or two, though large macaws may occur in such

numbers (plate 15- 57). Flocks move about in forests

and savannas searching out fruits (parrots are mainly

frugivores), flowers, and occasionally roots and tubers.

Parrots climb methodically around the tree branches,

often hanging in awkward acrobatic positions as they

attack their desired fruits. The sharply hooked, hinged

upper mandible is used in climbing around in trees

as well as in scraping and scooping out large fruits.

Using their strong nutcracker- like bills, parrots can

crack many of the toughest nuts and seeds, which they

eat with equal relish as the pulpy fruit itself (plate 15-

58). Their tongues are muscular, and they are adept at

scooping out pulp from fruit and nectar from flowers.

Because of their ability to crush and digest seeds,

parrots are primarily seed consumers rather than seed

dispersers.

Parrots, including some of the large macaws, often

gather in large numbers along clay embankments called

collpas (plate 15- 59). They ingest the clay soil as an aid

to digestion (discussed in chapter 6). Parrot gatherings

of this sort provide a wonderful visual experience for

ecotourists and birders.

Plate 15- 58. Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) methodically

dismantling a fruit. Photo by Gina Nichol.

Plate 15- 59. Dusky- headed Parakeets (Aratinga weddellii) at a

collpa in Ecuador. Photo by John Kricher.

Plate 15- 57. The Blue- headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) is

widely distributed and common throughout the Neotropics. It

is usually seen in groups. Photo by Andrew Whittaker.

chapter 15 neotropical birds: the bustling crowd 283