15³/4 inches (35 to 40cm). Green with golden crown and red

wing coverts, bend and edge of wing. Eyes orange, beak grey with orange,

legs grey. Immatures have dark irises. No visible means of sex distinction.

portions of South America; introduced to California and Florida. Nine

subspecies.

woods, cultivated fields, savannahs, in pairs or flocks. Some subspecies

follow civilization. Nests in tree holes, termite nests or holes in ground.

Gathers in groups in treetops to forage, returning at dusk, flying with

below body level, like those of ducks. During breeding may copulate several

times a day.

Sunflower seed kernels, corn, wheat, oats, peanuts, pine nuts, parrot

mix, fruit, berries, blossoms, green food.

Large, strong cage. Keep in pairs in outdoor aviary.

readily and talks well, but does not mimic despite its reputation as a

mimic. Produces metallic shrieks, whistling contacts and squawks. Likes

human company. Keep free on parrot stand. Heatable protected space, facilities

for bathing (spray). Nest box 18 X 18 X 29¥2 inches (45 X 45 X 75cm),

entrance diameter 5 Vz inches (14cm). Lays 2 to 3 eggs, incubation

28 to 30 days by female, fledging 75 days.