Honduran parrots (Psittacids)

In a previous post, we talked about the Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), a striking and noisy bird we can observe in Honduran forests. This time, we’ll discuss a group of birds known for being even louder: the parrots and their relatives, the psittacids.

Figure 1. Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis). Photo © Francisco Dubón / Macaulay Library

The psittacids (Psittacidae) are a family of birds more commonly known as macaws, parrots, and parakeets. These peculiar and noisy individuals play an important role in seed dispersal, which helps maintain our ecosystems. In Honduras, there are 17 species distributed across 8 genera found throughout the national territory. The following table (Table 1) lists the species reported for Honduras:

Members of this family are easily recognized by their stocky bodies and predominantly green plumage (see Figure 1), which allows them to blend perfectly with tree leaves. Psittacids can also display a wide variety of colors. They have zygodactyl feet (with opposable toes, meaning two face forward and two backward), which allow them to grip surfaces firmly and hold food while eating. Their hooked bills and fleshy tongues help them manipulate the fruits or seeds they consume (see Figure 2), and they produce a range of vocalizations that vary by species. These birds also have remarkable longevity.

Figure 2. Eupsittula canicularis spotted in La Caridad, Valle Department.

Figura 3.  Brotogeris jugularis feeding in La Caridad, Valle.

Macaws, parrots, and parakeets have a fascinating reproductive behavior: they form lifelong pairs, meaning their mating system is monogamous. They nest in enclosed, dark cavities of large trees, where they lay their white eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the chicks are altricial—born naked, with eyes closed, and completely dependent on their parents—so they must remain in the nest for several weeks. Psittacids are social birds (see Figure 4) that live in flocks of multiple individuals, usually composed of well-defined pairs and individuals that have not yet reached sexual maturity.

Figure 4. Flock of Psittacara rubritorquis in Aguanqueterique, La Paz Department.

Their ability to survive in captivity and their talent for mimicking human voices make them highly sought after as pets. This demand severely impacts wild populations through capture from their natural habitat, in addition to habitat loss caused by human activity. The illegal pet trade significantly reduces their numbers. Between capture and sale, many individuals die due to stress, injuries, disease, poor care, and other causes. For every psittacid sold, many more perish.

All of our psittacid species are listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)—yet another reason to say no to buying them, and instead focus on conserving their populations to prevent extinction. Below is a well-known psittacid, our national bird, the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao):

Figure 5. Ara macao cyanoptera (Scarlet Macaw). Photo by Olvin Andino.

If you want to learn more about psittacids, visit https://ebird.org/, where you’ll find information and photos of the species—including all bird species!

You can also view a list of the psittacid species in Honduras (data up to 2015) in the following PDF:

honduras-birding-paradise-the-checklist-

Download • 6.41MB

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By: Alejandra Martínez, Biologist

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References

Fagan, J & Komar, O. (2016). Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. USA. ISBN 978-0-544-37326-6. p 220-225.

Gallardo, R. 2014. Guide to the Birds of Honduras. Mountain Gem Tours. Tegucigalpa, Honduras. p 243-252.

Gómez, M. (2017). Contribución al estudio de la evolución, ecología y enfermedades de los loros (Psittacidae, ILLIGER 1811) de México. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. Nuevo León, Mexico. p 266

Portillo-Reyes HO, L. Joyner y F. Elvir. (2017). Ampliación del rango de distribución del Perico Frentirrojo (Psittacara finschi, Salvin, 1871) para Honduras. Zeledonia 21(2):52-56