DESCRIPTION 14 to
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. NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Mexico, Central America and tropical portions of South America; introduced to California and Florida. Nine subspecies. HABITAT Forests,
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 characteristic shallow wing beats
below body level, like those of ducks. During breeding may copulate several times a day. DIET
Sunflower seed kernels, corn, wheat, oats, peanuts, pine nuts, parrot mix, fruit, berries, blossoms, green food. SPECIAL NEEDS
Large, strong cage. Keep in pairs in outdoor aviary. CAGE LIFE Tames
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. |
|||
