Cliff parakeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cliff parakeet |
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| Illustration by John Keulemans, 1891 | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Genus: | Myiopsitta |
| Species: |
M. luchsi
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| Binomial name | |
| Myiopsitta luchsi (Finsch, 1868)
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| Synonyms | |
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The cliff parakeet (Myiopsitta luchsi) is a special type of parrot found only in Bolivia. It's known for living near cliffs. This bird is currently listed as a Near Threatened species, which means it needs our help to protect its future. It belongs to the parrot family, just like many other colorful birds you might know.
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What is a Cliff Parakeet?
Scientists who study birds sometimes have different ideas about how to classify them. Some groups, like the International Ornithological Committee, believe the cliff parakeet is its own unique species. Other groups, such as the American Ornithological Society, think it's a subspecies of the monk parakeet.
This bird was first described by a scientist named Otto Finsch. He named it after a German doctor and bird lover, Ernst Luchs.
What Does a Cliff Parakeet Look Like?
The cliff parakeet is about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. It weighs around 120 grams (4.2 ounces), which is about the same as a small apple.
These parakeets have a gray face, throat, and chest. Their belly is bright yellow. The sides of their body, under their tail, and their upper legs are green. The back of their head, neck, and back are also different shades of green.
Their tail feathers are mostly dark green or bluish. The outer parts of their wing feathers are blue, while the rest of the wing is green. Their beak is yellowish-brown, sometimes with a hint of pink. They have dark brown eyes surrounded by a patch of bare gray skin.
Where Do Cliff Parakeets Live?
The cliff parakeet lives only in Bolivia. You can find them in several areas, including Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Potosí, and Santa Cruz.
They prefer to live in dry valleys between mountains. These areas have special plants that don't need much water. They always live near cliffs, which they use for nesting. You can find them at elevations between 1,300 and 3,000 meters (about 4,200 to 9,800 feet) above sea level.
How Do Cliff Parakeets Behave?
Do Cliff Parakeets Migrate?
Scientists believe that cliff parakeets do not migrate. This means they stay in the same area all year round and do not fly to different places for winter or summer.
What Do Cliff Parakeets Eat?
Cliff parakeets mainly eat fruits and seeds. They also sometimes eat maize (corn) from farm fields.
How Do Cliff Parakeets Raise Their Young?
Cliff parakeets build their nests on cliffs. They use sticks to make large, bulky nests. Unlike their relatives, the monk parakeets, cliff parakeet nests are not shared by many birds. However, many nests might be built close together on the same cliff.
Cliff parakeets and monk parakeets are the only parrots that don't nest inside holes in trees or burrows in the ground. They are unique because they build their nests out in the open. It's thought that they usually lay about six eggs at a time. There's also some evidence that they might raise two groups of chicks in one year.
What is the Cliff Parakeet's Status?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) first thought the cliff parakeet was of "Least Concern." This means it wasn't thought to be in much danger. However, since 2021, its status has changed to Near Threatened.
This change happened because the cliff parakeet lives in a very small area. Also, there are fewer than 10,000 adult birds left, and their numbers seem to be going down. They are not found everywhere in their habitat, and sometimes they are seen as a problem for farmers because they eat crops. Protecting their habitat and understanding their needs are important steps to help these unique birds survive.
See also
In Spanish: Cotorra boliviana para niños
 | Shirley Ann Jackson |
 | Garett Morgan |
 | J. Ernest Wilkins Jr. |
 | Elijah McCoy |
