Aratinga cactorum (Kuhl, 1820)

Scientific Name and Length

The Caatinga parakeet (scientific name Aratinga cactorum, originally published by Kuhl in 1820) reaches approximately 25 cm (9.8 in) in length, with no visible size or plumage difference between males and females.

Nominate Adult Head and Upper Body Coloration

Adults of the nominate subspecies have pale brown coloration on the forecrown, cheeks, throat, sides of the neck, and breast.

Bare whitish skin surrounds the eye.

Nominate Adult Lower Body and Rear Coloration

The belly and vent area are yellow-orange, while the nape, ear coverts, upperparts, and tail are green.

Most of the wing surface is green, with bluish-tinted flight feathers.

Immature Plumage

Immature Caatinga parakeets closely resemble adults, but differ in having a fully green crown and duller coloration on the underparts.

Subspecies E. c. caixana Plumage

Subspecies E. c. caixana shares the same plumage pattern as the nominate subspecies, but is paler across its entire body.

E. c. caixana Distribution

Of the two recognized subspecies, E. c. caixana occupies the more northerly range.

It occurs in northeastern Brazil, ranging from Maranhão eastward to the Atlantic Ocean, and extending south as far as northwestern Bahia.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

The nominate subspecies is found in east-central Brazil, south of the São Francisco River, in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais.

Core Habitat

This species lives in both undisturbed and second-growth caatinga, a dry landscape defined by its thorny vegetation, shrubs, and succulents.

Additional Habitats

It can also be found in cerrado and more moist woodland habitats.