Perijá Conure (Pyrrhura caeruleiceps)

Closeup of Perija Conure
© ProAves Colombia

Photos

Did You Know?

2001 research by Leo Joseph recognised the Perijá Conure as a distinct species from the Painted Conure (Pyrrhura picta).

Academic Research

Related publications: Pyrrhura caeruleiceps

Species Profile

Genus: Pyrrhura | Species: caeruleiceps

Size:

22cm (8.6 in)

Weight:

Probably 50-60g.

Subspecies including nominate:

two: P. c. caeruliceps, P. c. pantchenkoi

Colour Adult:

P. c. caeruliceps: Both adults mostly green in colour; blue forecrown; brown hindcrown washed with blue; nuchal collar blue; white ear coverts; dusky brown breast with grey/off white scalloping; red bend of wing. Bill grey/black. Eye ring bare and dull grey. Eye brown.
P. c. pantchenkoi: Both adults crown grey-brown. to nape with blue wash on forecrown; red becomes brownish on upper cheek; off white ear coverts; dusky brown upper breast scalloped with off white; green/brown lower breast, scalloped with yellow/white; thin blue collar on hindneck; red bend of wing; brown/red patch on centre of abdomen; red/brown tail becoming green toward base. Bill dark brown/grey. Eye brown.

Colour Juvenile:

Not recorded.

Call:

A kiir-kiir call while perched and ki-ki-ki-ki associated with alert behaviour.

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989. 2010 edition
Vanished and Vanishing Parrots, Forshaw, 2017.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.

Closeup of Perija Conure
© ProAves Colombia

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

2001 research by Leo Joseph recognised the Perijá Conure as a distinct species from the Painted Conure (Pyrrhura picta).

Academic Research

Related publications: Pyrrhura caeruleiceps

Species Care

Captive Status:

Not seen in aviculture.

Longevity:

Probably about 12-15 yrs.

Housing:

Walk-in enclosure or suspended aviary, minimum length 2m (6.5 ft).

Diet:

Fruits such as: apple, pear, banana, orange, cactus fruits, pomegranate, mangoes, papayas, forming about 30 percent of the diet; vegetables such as: carrots, celery, green beans and peas in the pod; fresh corn; green leaves such as: Swiss chard, lettuce, kale, sowthistle, dandelion, chickweed; spray millet; seed mix such as: canary, millet and smaller amounts of oats, buckwheat, safflower and a little hemp; limited soaked and sprouted sunflower seed; cooked beans or pulses, boiled maize and complete kibble.

Enrichment:

Presumably similar to P. picta: Avid chewers so provide plenty of bird-safe, unsprayed flowering, fir, pine, willow, elder and saskatoon branches, wooden block or vegetable tanned leather toys, heat sterilized pine cones; swings, ropes and ladders; foraging/puzzle toys. Also enjoys bathing so provide overhead misters or shallow water bowls.

Nest Box Size:

Vertical nestbox 20cm x 20cm x 70cm (8 x 8 x 28 in).

Clutch Size:

5-7

Incubation Time:

23 days

Fledging Age:

40-51 days

Hatch Weight:

Not recorded.

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Closeup of Perija Conure
© ProAves Colombia

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

2001 research by Leo Joseph recognised the Perijá Conure as a distinct species from the Painted Conure (Pyrrhura picta).

Academic Research

Related publications: Pyrrhura caeruleiceps

Species Wild Status

World Population:

1000-2499 mature individuals, decreasing.

IUCN Red List Status:

Endangered

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

Habitat loss is the greatest threat to the species, with an estimated 70% having been lost to cattle ranching and other clearance. Habitat destruction in the Sierra de Perijá has also been driven by illicit drug trade and associated enforcement operations. The species is unwilling to cross open habitats, leaving it at risk from forest fragmentation as well. Has also been recorded in the wild bird trade.

Range:

P. c. caeruliceps: Sierra de Perijá, on Colombia-Venezuela border, and N Colombia.
P. c. pantchenkoi: Perijá Mountains, Venezuela-Colombia border.

Habitat:

Found from 450-2000m (1476-6560 ft) in cloud-forest, both primary and secondary.

Wild Diet:

Food items recorded include guava Psidium guajava, catkins Cecropia peltata, Inga flowers, Alchornea fruits, and fruits from Ficus glabrata. Also Trema micrantha, Croton, Hibiscus, Anthoxylum rhoifolium and Ochroma fruits were also noted.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Usually seen in groups of 3 to 10 birds; less often in pairs. Some flocks are up to 35 birds. Sedentary in afternoon.

Clutch and Egg Size:

5-7 elliptical eggs, 26.5 x 19.0mm (1 x 0.7 in).

Breeding Season:

Breeding behaviour seen March-August.

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

2001 research by Leo Joseph recognised the Perijá Conure as a distinct species from the Painted Conure (Pyrrhura picta).

Academic Research

Related publications: Pyrrhura caeruleiceps

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