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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.
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