Green parakeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green parakeet |
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| Nominate subspecies in South Texas, United States | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Psittacara
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| Species: |
holochlorus
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The green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) is a medium-sized parrot. You can find these colorful birds in North America and Central America. They live from the very southern tip of Texas all the way south to northern Nicaragua.
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What Do Green Parakeets Look Like?
Green parakeets are about 32 centimeters (12.5 inches) long. They are mostly bright green, which helps them blend in with trees. They also have a yellow beak.
These birds eat different kinds of seeds, fruits, and corn. Sometimes, they might eat crops, which can make them a bit of a problem for farmers.
In the wild, green parakeets live in scrub forests, swamp forests, and woodlands. They also like clearings in forests. In cities, especially in the US, they often live in areas with palm trees.
Green Parakeet Family Tree
The green parakeet was once thought to be part of a different bird group called Aratinga. Scientists later decided it belonged in the Psittacara group.
Today, the green parakeet is seen as one main species. However, it has a special subspecies called Psittacara holochlorus brevipes. This subspecies lives only on Socorro Island in Mexico and is very rare.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Green parakeet pairs usually make their nests in holes they find in trees. The female bird will lay three or four eggs in the nest.
They can also nest together in groups. When they do this, they often use cracks or holes on cliff faces. After the breeding season is over, many birds gather to sleep in large groups.
Where Do Green Parakeets Live?
Green parakeets live in many places. Their range stretches from southern Texas and northern Mexico. This includes the special P. h. brevipes subspecies on Socorro Island. They also live south through Central America to southwestern Nicaragua. They can be found in many different types of woody areas.
Since the Carolina parakeet disappeared and the thick-billed parrot left the United States in the 1930s, the green parakeet is the only native parrot species still living in the U.S.
In western Nicaragua, some green parakeets nest inside a protected area called El Chocoyero - El Brujo. But when they leave this safe area to find food, they can still face dangers.
The A. brevipes subspecies on Socorro Island is in great danger. Its home is being lost because of wild sheep. Also, wild cats hunt these birds. In 2006 and 2007, scientists thought there were only about 300 of these birds left. This shows their numbers have gone down.
It was once unclear if the green parakeets in southern Texas were truly native. Some people thought they were pet birds that had escaped. However, most experts now believe the groups in the Rio Grande Valley are native. This is because there are native groups nearby. Also, forests were cut down in Tamaulipas, which might have made the birds move. There is even old evidence from 1911 of these parakeets eating strawberries in Combs.
