About Pyrrhura hoffmanni (Cabanis, 1861)
Species Nomenclature and Basic Biometrics
The sulphur-winged parakeet, with scientific name Pyrrhura hoffmanni (Cabanis, 1861), is approximately 23 to 24 cm (9.1 to 9.4 in) long and has an average weight of 82 g (2.9 oz). Males and females are identical in appearance.
Nominate Adult Plumage Overview
Adults of the nominate subspecies are mostly green overall. Their head, nape, and throat have scattered yellow markings; bare white skin surrounds the eye, and their ear coverts are bright terracotta.
Adult Breast and Wing Coloration
A dull orange wash covers their breast. Their wing is mostly green, with yellow primary coverts, inner primaries, and outer secondaries; the outer primaries are blue.
Adult Tail Coloration
The upper side of their tail is rufous olive with green fringes on the feathers, while the underside of the tail is reddish brown.
Immature Plumage Traits
Immature birds have duller scaling, less orange on the breast, and much less yellow on the wings than adults.
Subspecies P. h. gaudens Plumage Differences
The subspecies P. h. gaudens has orange-red markings on its head, and its underparts are slightly darker than those of the nominate subspecies.
Nominate Subspecies Distribution
The nominate subspecies of sulphur-winged parakeet is native to the Cordillera de Talamanca and the Dota region of southern Costa Rica. P. h. gaudens is found in western Panama, extending as far east as Veraguas Province.
Habitat Preferences
This species lives in primary and logged montane forest, as well as adjacent shrubby areas and secondary forest.
Elevation Range
It occurs at elevations between 700 and 3,000 m (2,300 and 9,800 ft), and is most commonly found above 1,600 m (5,200 ft).
