Jandaya parakeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jandaya parakeet |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aratinga
|
| Species: |
jandaya
|
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Psittacus jandaya |
|
The jandaya parakeet or jenday conure (Aratinga jandaya) is a colorful, small parrot. It has bright green wings and tail, a reddish-orange body, and a yellow head and neck. Its cheeks are orange, and it has a black beak. This bird lives in wooded areas in northeastern Brazil.
Jandaya parakeets are part of a group of parakeets called the Aratinga solstitialis complex. They are very closely related to the sun parakeet. While they are not often seen in the wild, they are popular as pets. People who keep them as pets often call them "jenday conures."
Contents
About the Jandaya Parakeet's Name
The first time anyone wrote about a bird like the jandaya parakeet was in 1638. A German scientist named Georg Marcgrave saw it during his trip to Brazil. Many other naturalists later wrote about it, even if they hadn't seen one themselves.
In 1788, a German naturalist named Johann Friedrich Gmelin officially named the bird Psittacus jandaya. Later, in 1824, another German naturalist, Johann Baptist von Spix, put it into a new group, or genus, called Aratinga.
The name Aratinga comes from an old Brazilian language called Tupi. It means "bright bird" or "bright parrot." The word jandaya also comes from Tupi and means "noisy crier." This name fits because these parakeets are known for being loud! The jandaya parakeet is a single species, meaning it does not have different types or subspecies.
The jandaya parakeet is closely related to the sun parakeet. Scientists have also studied how it relates to the extinct Carolina parakeet. The jandaya parakeet looks very similar to the Carolina parakeet, but it has a yellow neck and shoulders, and a black beak. The Carolina parakeet had a light, buff-colored beak.
What Jandaya Parakeets Look Like
The jandaya parakeet is a small bird with a long tail. It has a reddish-orange body, green wings, and a green tail. Its head, neck, and shoulders are yellow, and its cheeks are orange. It has a black beak, a white ring around its dark eyes, and the tips of its tail feathers are blue.
These parakeets are about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long and weigh between 125 and 140 grams. They are known for their very loud, shrill calls.
Where Jandaya Parakeets Live
Jandaya parakeets live in a very large area in northeastern Brazil. You can find them in the states of Piaui, Maranhao, Tocantins, Ceara, and parts of Goiás and Pará. They prefer to live in lowland forests where trees lose their leaves, and in areas with palm trees.
Food and Feeding Habits
In the wild, jandaya parakeets love to eat different kinds of fruits, like mangoes and cashew apples. They also eat nuts from palm trees. Sometimes, they eat plants grown by people, such as rice and corn.
It's important to know that some foods are bad for jandaya parakeets. These include chocolate, caffeine, and a chemical found in avocados.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Jandaya parakeets build their nests inside hollows in trees. They usually choose a spot at least 15 meters (50 feet) high.
When kept as pets, the female parakeet usually lays three to six eggs. She sits on the eggs for about 26 days until they hatch. Both parents help feed the young birds. The young parakeets are ready to leave the nest after about two months.
Conservation Status
The jandaya parakeet is listed as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN. This means that, for now, there are enough of them in the world that they are not considered to be in immediate danger of extinction. They are also listed on CITES Appendix II, which means their trade is controlled to prevent them from becoming endangered.
In Brazil, the bird is protected by the Brazil Wildlife Protection Act (1967), and it is against the law to export or trade them. Even though they are not endangered globally, some studies in 1996 and 2007 found that they were "rare" in parts of their natural home.
Jandaya Parakeets as Pets
Jandaya parakeets are sometimes called "yellow-headed conures" or "flaming conures" by people who keep them as pets.
These birds can live for up to 30 years when cared for properly. Like many pet parrots, jandaya parakeets are very smart. They can be trained to do tricks and can even learn to copy sounds, words, and sometimes even short sentences!
Jandaya parakeets are social birds and usually like to stay in groups or flocks. They are very loud and often call out to each other.
Images for kids
-
Aratinga jandaya – MHNT
