General

Mitred Parakeet: A fairly large green parakeet with a long tail; purple and red forehead grading into scattered bright red feathers that continue to the crown, face, cheek, ear coverts and sometimes the bend in the wing. Dull green underparts are faintly washed olive; conspicuous white eye ring; dull yellow iris, with a gray inner ring; heavy bone colored bill; gray feet. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has less red and has a brown rather than orange iris. They can take up to ten years to develop the full red plumage on their heads.

Range and Habitat

Mitred Parakeet: In its native range occurs in mountain valleys in a narrow band from southern Peru to northern Argentina. Populations of escaped birds also established in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California, and south Florida. Prefers dry subtropical forest, but also uses cultivated areas and grasslands with scattered trees. Frequently found near rocky cliffs.

Breeding and Nesting

Mitred Parakeet: These parakeets breed during the winter months, colonially, on cliffs and sometimes in the hollows of dead trees. The female lays two to three broad, oval white eggs in tree cavities or rock crevices lined with pieces of decayed wood. Incubation occurs for about 25 days before they hatch.

Foraging and Feeding

Mitred Parakeet: These parakeets feed on a variety of native and ornamental tree fruits, berries, nuts and seeds. They travel in groups of two to a hundred in search of food and plant matter. They are occasionally seen foraging in cultivated areas. They usually feed in forests, but may visit open areas in search of grain.

Vocalization

Mitred Parakeet: Loud screeching "weee weee" or "cheeah cheeah."

Similar Species

Mitred Parakeet: Red-masked Parakeet has more extensive red on head and leading edge of wing. Green Parakeet has much less red overall. In its native range the Red-fronted Parakeet is extremely similar but has a red forehead, while the White-eyed Parakeet has conspicuous red and yellow patch on its under wing coverts.