The Andean parakeet (''Bolborhynchus orbygnesius'') is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. 30 January 2023. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved January 30, 2023

Taxonomy and systematics

The Andean parakeet was at one time named ''Bolborhynchus andicolus'' and at other times treated as a subspecies of the

mountain parakeet The mountain parakeet (''Psilopsiagon aurifrons''), also known as the golden-fronted parakeet, is a species of parrot, one of two in the genus ''Psilopsiagon'' within the family Psittacidae. It is found in the Puna grassland. Its natural habitat ...

(''Psilopsiagon aurifrons''). Some authors treat it and the

rufous-fronted parakeet The rufous-fronted parakeet (''Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons'') is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. Endemism, Endemic to Colombia, its natural habitats are high-altitude shrubland, high-altitude grassland and arable land. It is thre ...

(''B. ferrugineifrons'') to form a superspecies. The Andean parakeet is monotypic.

Description

The Andean parakeet is long and weighs . It is rather plump with a short tail. Adults are almost entirely green, with a yellow tinge from the face to the belly that is brightest on the throat and upper breast. The outer webs of their primaries are teal, sometimes approaching violet. Their bill is grayish and their legs dull pink. Juveniles do not have the yellow tinge but are otherwise the same as adults.Collar, N. and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Andean Parakeet (''Bolborhynchus orbygnesius''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.andpar1.01 retrieved February 20, 2023

Distribution and habitat

The Andean parakeet is found from Peru's Department of Cajamarca south along the Andes through central Bolivia into Argentina's Jujuy and

Salta Salta () is the capital and largest city in the Argentine province of the same name. With a population of 618,375 according to the 2010 census, it is also the 7th most-populous city in Argentina. The city serves as the cultural and economic ce ...

provinces. It inhabits semiarid

cloudforest A cloud forest, also called a water forest, primas forest, or tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF), is a generally tropical or subtropical, evergreen, montane, moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud c ...

, ''

Polylepis ''Polylepis'' is a genus comprising 28 recognised shrub and tree species, that are endemic to the mid- and high-elevation regions of the tropical Andes. This group is unique in the rose family in that it is predominantly wind-pollinated. They are ...

'' woodlands, and ravines with bushy vegetation in more open country. In elevation it mostly ranges between but occasionally occurs past .

Behavior

Movement

The Andean parakeet moves from its core range to lower elevation valleys outside the breeding season.

Feeding

The Andean parakeet forages for seeds, fruits, and berries on the ground and in bushes, bamboo, and in leguminous trees.

Breeding

Almost nothing is known about the Andean parakeet's breeding biology. It has been reported to nest in burrows in earthern banks.

Vocalization

The Andean parakeet's usual call is "a short (irregularly overslurred) dull note, typically given in chuckling pairs or triplets “juh-juh-juh”, or a much longer chattering series."

Status

The

IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...

has assessed the Andean parakeet as being of Least Concern. It has a fairly large range, and though its population size is not known it is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified. It is locally common and flocks of up to 300 birds have been recorded.