Psilopsiagon aymara (Orbigny, 1839)

Size

The grey-hooded parakeet (Psilopsiagon aymara) is a small, slender parakeet that reaches an adult length of approximately 20 centimeters (8 inches).

Upper Body Coloration

Its upper body parts are green, while its flanks and underwing coverts are greenish-yellow.

Head and Breast Coloration

The forehead and crown are brownish-grey, and the chin, throat, and breast are whitish-grey; the sides of the breast sometimes develop a bluish tinge.

Belly Coloration

The belly is green with a bluish tinge.

Tail Morphology and Coloration

The upper side of its long, narrow, pointed tail is green, and the underside is grey.

Soft Part Coloration

The beak is flesh-colored, the iris is brown, and the legs and feet are brownish-grey.

Sexual Dimorphism and Immature Traits

Males and females have a similar overall appearance, but males often have a more vivid grey breast, and immature individuals have shorter tails.

Geographical Range

This parakeet is native to the southern Andean Yungas, with a range extending from southern Bolivia to northern Argentina, and possibly reaching the northern fringes of Chile.

Habitat Types

It inhabits arid shrubby or wooded areas, wooded ravines, and dense shrubby regions near villages or agricultural land.

Elevation Range

It occurs at altitudes between roughly 1,800 and 4,000 meters (6,000 to 13,000 feet).

Gregarious Behavior

It is a gregarious bird that forms small flocks of around 20 individuals; multiple such flocks may gather together at watering spots.

Flight Characteristics

Flocks travel across the landscape in fast, low, undulating flight.

Perching and Vocalization

They sometimes rest on or among the branches of shrubs and small trees, producing twittering and warbling calls very similar to the sounds made by barn swallows.

Vegetation Foraging

They forage for food in low vegetation, eating grass seeds, seeds from plants in the aster family, berries, and fruits.

Ground Foraging

They also forage on the ground to collect fallen seeds and fruits.

Breeding Period

Breeding occurs in November.

Nest Site Locations

Nests are placed in holes excavated in earthen banks, in rock crevices, in holes in cacti, and sometimes in ruined buildings.

Nest Arrangement

Multiple nests are sometimes grouped close together in a semi-colonial arrangement.

Clutch Size

Clutches usually contain four or five eggs.