Green-cheeked parakeet

Appearance

The Green-cheeked Parrot is typically 26 cm long and weighs 60 to 80 g. It is mainly green, with a brown/black/grey crown, white periophthalmic rings, green cheeks, blue primary wing feathers, a grey beak, and its long pointed tail is mostly maroon. It has short transverse striations on its breast and a red abdominal area. Males and females have an identical external appearance.

Distribution

The Green-cheeked Parakeet occurs in west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, through northern and eastern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina and northern Paraguay. Its habitat is forests and woodland, where it usually forms flocks of 10 to 20 individuals at treetop level, or larger flocks where there is more food. It is also emerging as a popular pet for families and individuals.

Behavior

The Green-cheeked Parrot eats various seeds and fruits and probably other kinds of vegetable matter. The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days. They have a lower noise level in general than many parakeets and can learn tricks and have a limited vocabulary, with extensive training.

Habitat

The Green-cheeked Parakeet occurs in west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, through northern and eastern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina and northern Paraguay. Its habitat is forests and woodland, where it usually forms flocks of 10 to 20 individuals at treetop level, or larger flocks where there is more food. It is also emerging as a popular pet for families and individuals.

Cultural

Green-cheeked Parrots are common in aviculture and are popular companion parrots. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent, known as having a "big personality in a small body". They can learn to talk, albeit with a limited vocabulary and a gravelly voice. They like to be held and can learn tricks such as lying on their backs, "kissing," shaking and even can be potty trained. Green-cheeked Parrots are quiet, so even a unit dweller can enjoy their companionship. They can be prone to biting, particularly when young, but an owner can cure this behavior with patience and time.

They love fruits, , and seeds such as sunflower, safflower, and hemp seeds—all found in their natural environments. Green-cheeked Parrot also love table food—they are flock animals and love to eat with their family. They can eat potatoes, carrots, corn, bread, pasta, and plain popcorn. A clipped and/or caged bird can become obese from eating too many fatty seeds such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. A bird-pellet diet with a calcium supplement provides proper nutrition, but should not be their exclusive diet because of trace chemical additives and bonding agents not found in the parrot's natural habitat. A good rule of thumb is 30% pellet diet, 10% seeds, and fresh foods for the rest—fruits and vegetables, or cooked food. Parrots with health problems related to the kidneys should not be fed a high protein diet, as it may lead to gout; veterinarian prescribed low-protein diets are available for birds with such conditions. Green-cheeked Parrots can live to 30 years with proper care, though the average lifespan is typically 10 years due to owner neglect.