WEC486/UW555: Popular Parrots and Parakeets of Belize

Nature’s Residents

Belize’s parrots and parakeets are a colorful part of the country’s bird diversity. They are important seed dispersers, and a healthy parrot population is an indication of healthy habitat. Parrots are in the Psittacidae family and are generally green in body color with a deep hooked bill and a large head on a short neck. Most species make stereotypical parrot “squawks” and chatter, but they can be distinguished from one another by a unique vocal signature, size, and distinguishing markings. Parrots mate for life and are often seen in pairs, even when travelling in a flock. Flight patterns are also species-specific.

Forested habitats and undisturbed pine savannas are important nesting sites for parrots and parakeets, and deforestation and habitat fragmentation pose serious threats to many species across the globe. Poaching for colorful and talkative pets is a grave concern, particularly for species that can imitate human speech. Continued protection of natural forest structures and nesting sites is vital to ensure these species’ survival in their native home in Belize, and throughout the tropics.

If you go birdwatching to Belize to see these brilliant, beautiful birds yourself, you will likely want to seek out local experts to help you in your search. The first time you enter parrot habitat, you will be surrounded by a cacophony of natural sounds. You will likely hear parrots before you see them, and you may have trouble finding the birds you hear, but your birding guide will be intimately familiar with a host of tips and tricks to help you spot these vibrant birds and identify each one to species. For greater details on these and other bird species of Belize, refer to H.L. Jones “Birds of Belize” (2004).

This publication highlights some of the most popular parrots and parakeets in Belize and provides some key distinguishing characteristics to help nature visitors identify them. We provide the common name, species name and total length (LT: bill-to-tail) of bird in each species description. Our goals are to raise awareness and instill wildlife appreciation through education.

Photo of a bright green parrot with a red patch above its bill on a branch covered in deep green leaves with a cloudless blue sky in the background. — Figure 1. Red-Lored Parrot (*Amazona autumnalis*) basking in the canopy.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, Lamanai Field Research Center (LFRC).

Yellow-Headed Parrot

(Amazona oratrix belizensis) LT 14 in

A bright green parrot with a mostly yellow head in midflight in a cloudless blue sky displaying bright red wing patch and black tips on primary feathers. — Figure 2. Adult Yellow-Headed Parrot (*Amazona oratrix* *belizensis*) midflight. Note the mostly yellow head.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

Belize’s only endemic bird and a critically endangered species, this large parrot is highly vulnerable to poaching for the pet trade in addition to habitat destruction. Adults have a bright green body with a distinct yellow head and a pale bill. They prefer open pine savannas. They travel in pairs and can be heard making sharp rolling and rapid-fire, gurgling calls.

Brown-Hooded Parrot

(Pionopsitta haematotis) LT 8.5 in

A bright green parrot with a chocolate brown head, pink cheek patch and black chin strap, with royal blue feathers on folded wings perched on a log or branch against a blurred mostly green background with green foliage in the foreground. — Figure 3. Adult Brown-Hooded parrot (Pyrilia *haematotis*) photographed on a branch showing the mature color features. Note the distinctive brown head.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

Small, green parrot with a contrasting, dark brown head, blue-black flight feathers, and a short, square tail. Adults have a pale bill, a white eye-ring, and a red ear patch. Juveniles lack the dark head but have similar plumage. They can be found flying in pairs or small groups just above canopies of broadleaf forests and forest edges. They make a scratchy-sounding “chirrup” and creak and in more raucous chatter they will call out in a rolling “keereek.”

White-Crowned Parrot

(Pionus senilis) LT 9.5 in

A bright green parrot perched on a slender green branch with a fruit in its beak. Dark blue feathers are on its head and breast, and it has a white patch on the front of its head. Green berry-like fruits in the foreground and dappled sunlight on palm fronds in the background. — Figure 4. Adult White-Crowned Parrot (*Pionus* *senilis)* eating fruit from a tree. Note the blue tones on the head and breast and the pronounced white forecrown.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

Bronze-green in color, adults have a pronounced white forecrown and throat on a blue head and breast. They have a dark body, a pale bill, and a red colored tail. The edges of their wingtips are a violet-blue. Juveniles lack the blue tones and tend to have a white pattern similar to other species. Single birds tend to fly higher above the canopies and subcanopies of pine and broadleaf forests than pairs fly and favor the forest edges. They make shrill calls, typically in pairs of “krēak” and “krēa!”

Scarlet Macaw

(Ara macao) LT 35 in

A large, red parrot with a long-pointed red tail perched on a pale branch. Wings are covered in red feathers with yellow and blue feathers more pronounced toward the margin of the wings. — Figure 5. Adult Scarlet Macaw (*Ara macao*) perched on a branch. Note the bright blue and yellow feathers on the wing and the long-pointed tail.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC

The largest parrot in Belize, the Scarlet Macaw is aptly named for its bright red plumage with striking blue and yellow feathers on the long-pointed tail, wings, and rump. They have a white, featherless face with a large beak. They prefer the canopy of broad leaf and pine forest regions. They have a loud “rrrahk!” call, and travel in pairs, family units or in larger noisy flocks. They are often quiet when perched.

Red-Lored Parrot

(Amazona autumnalis) LT 13.5 in

A bright green parrot flying through a brilliant blue cloudless sky with wings fully outstretched. It has a yellow face and red forehead. — Figure 6. Adult Red-Lored parrot (*Amazona autumnalis)* in midflight with distinctive yellow face and red forehead (lore) above the bill.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

A relatively large parrot uniformly green except for its distinct yellow face and crown, its red forehead (lore), and its pale bill. Red-Lored Parrots prefer canopies of open forested habitats and pine savannas. They make a telltale “quidick quidick so quick so quick” call followed by softer notes and will use raucous squawks in chatter.

Yellow-Lored Parrot

(Amazona xantholora) LT 10.5 in

A bright, green parrot sitting on a leafy tree branch displaying a yellow forehead, red eye patches and a black cheek patch. The sky in the background appears overcast. — Figure 7. Adult Yellow-Lored Parrot (*Amazona* *xantholora*) perched on a branch. Note the yellow lores on the top of the head and the black patches on the sides of the head.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

Yellow-Lored Parrots are smaller parrots similar to White-Fronted Parrots, but with yellow lores and blackish patches on the side of the head. Males have large red coverts (contour feathers that overlap and cover the bases of larger flight feathers) on the upper wing, a white forecrown, and red encircling the eyes. Females lack these features and have less yellow on lores than males do. Yellow-Lored Parrots may be found in savannas, scrublands, cultivated fields, and at forest edges. Their calls sometimes include “yak yak yak” or “chak chak chak” notes but tend to sound more trumpetlike.

Mealy Parrot

(Amazona farinosa) LT 16 in

A dull, green parrot climbing in the leafless branches of a tree. It has a large white eye ring and a blue forehead. — Figure 8. Adult Mealy Parrot (*Amazona farinosa*) climbing in the branches of a tree. Note the large white ring around the eye and the blue colored crown on the head.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

One of the largest parrots, Mealy parrots have a large pale eye ring, a distinctive blue crown, a gray bill, and a tail with vibrant, yellow tipped feathers. They tend to favor canopies of older forest structures, subcanopies of riparian forests, and forest edges. They have a range of calls from typical parrot chatter like “wat CHOUT!” to more melodious sounds like “keoww!”

White-Fronted Parrot

(Amazona albifrons) LT 10.75 in

A bright green parrot perched at the top of a branch against a blue, cloudless sky. It has a white forehead, red eye rings and red feathers framing the folded wings. — Figure 9. Adult male White-Fronted Parrot (*Amazona albifrons*) perched high on a branch. Note the white lore with the red face and red edges on the wings.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

A small parrot similar to the Yellow-Lored Parrot but with a red face, yellow bill, and a white forehead. Wing ends are a violet-blue and its tail is short. Males have redder wings and large white face coloration than females, who have more green and white only on the forecrown. White-Fronted Parrots can be found in a variety of habitats, including savannas, scrublands, and forest edges always sticking to the canopy when perched. They call through rolling squeaks of “yak yak yak” and “chak chak chak.”

Olive-Throated Parakeet

(Eupsittula nana) LT 9 in

A bright green parrot feeding on fruits in a tree in bright sunlight. It is surrounded by green foliage from the tree as well as fern fronds and vines. Dark red fruit pulp is visible on its gray beak. It has a large eye ring and an olive-brown throat. — Figure 10. Adult Olive-Throated Parakeet (*eupsittula* *nana*) eating fruit in a tree. Note the large white eye ring and olive-brown throat.
Credit: Jorge E. Ruano, LFRC.

A slender, petite green bird with a white eye ring, brownish olive throat and breast, blue flight feathers, and a pointed tail. Olive-Throated Parakeets can be found along the canopy on forest edges and in healthy mixed scrublands. Their call is a series of nasal “cree” and “creck” sounds.