Aratinga erythrogenys (Lesson, 1844)

Size

Red-masked parakeets average about 33 centimetres (13 inches) long, with half of their total length made up by the tail.

Adult Plumage Coloration

Their plumage is mostly bright green, and they have a mostly red head with a prominent elongated pale eye-ring. The nape of their neck is green.

Plumage Markings

The lesser and median underwing coverts are red, and there is also some red patches on the neck, thighs, and the leading edge of the wings.

Juvenile Plumage

Juveniles have entirely green plumage; their first red feathers do not appear until they reach around four months of age.

Vocalization

The call of the red-masked parakeet is loud, harsh, and two-syllabled.

Native Range

This species is native to southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, where it primarily inhabits jungle and deciduous forest. It can also survive successfully in semiarid regions and suburban areas.

Elevation Range

While red-masked parakeets can live at elevations as high as 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level, they are most commonly found at elevations below 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).

Feral Populations

Their broad native distribution and popularity as pet birds have led to successful establishment of feral exotic populations in other regions after released pet birds escaped, particularly in southern and western parts of the United States.