DESCRIPTION 6V2 inches (17cm). Green with yellowish underneath and black shell markings on head, neck, back, rump and along wings. Hen smaller with same, duller markings. Eyes yellow-brown, beak grey-yellow, legs grey-black.

NATURAL DISTRIBUTION Mexico, Panama, Peru and Colombia.

HABITAT Well camouflaged in deep mountain forests in hollow trees, usually in groups, sometimes in flocks of more than 100 after breeding.

DIET Oats, millet spray, sunflower seed kernels, panicum, canary seeds, fresh twigs (apple, pear and willow), berries, carrots, buds, green foods, fruit and small insects. (Rake the aviary a few times a week.)

SPECIAL NEEDS Sensitive to frost. Needs shaded spots and strong branches to slide along. Fast-growing claws need shortening.

CAGE LIFE Gentle, tame and tolerant, with pleasant voice. Excellent runners, they press close to the ground for protection and fan their tails to express emotion. Nesting boxes used all year for roosting. Lays 3 to 6 white eggs in nest box (6 X 6 X 12 inches/15 X 15 X 30cm; entrance diameter 3 inches/Scm. Incubation 19 to 23 days, only by female, fledging 38 to 40 days. Male feeds hen and later young. Good breeding success in colonies.

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