176

NEW WORLD PARROTS (PSITTACIDAE; 18 SPECIES) Familiar group of

brightly colored, often noisy birds associated with the tropics. Ages/sexes similar or slightly different;

attain mostly adult appearance in 1st year. Several species wiped out from large areas of Costa Rica

by deforestation and trapping for pet trade. Often seen in flight, when pairs tend to segregate within

flocks. Beware that escaped cage birds might be seen anywhere, especially in the Central Valley

and near other population centers; in some areas, feral populations may become established.

ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET  Brotogeris jugularis 18–19cm. Small para­

keet of open and semi-open country with scattered trees, forest patches,

plantations, forest edge. Usually in pairs or small groups in canopy, sometimes

alongside larger and longer-tailed Eupsittula parakeets. Distinctive, with bronzy

shoulders, yellow underwing coverts; orange chin patch small, usually difficult

to see. Flight distinctly bounding, several quick wingbeats interspersed with

short, undulating glides, quite different from larger Eupsittula. SOUNDS: Shrill,

often slightly buzzy phrases, typically short and clipped, ch-chi-chit and chree-ee

chi-chit, etc. STATUS: Common to fairly common on both slopes, locally to

1200m; has spread with deforestation. (Mexico to nw. S America.)

CRIMSON-FRONTED PARAKEET  Psittacara finschi 27–29cm. Largest Costa

Rican parakeet, found in open and semi-open country with scattered trees and

forest patches, plantations, hedgerows in farmland, gardens. Typically in flocks,

locally of 100s. Flight often higher overhead than smaller Eupsittula parakeets,

with which it usually doesn’t mix. Distinctive, with diagnostic bright red-and-

yellow underwing pattern in flight. Adult has red forecrown, reduced or lacking

on imm. SOUNDS: Loud raucous screaming, somewhat similar to Eupsittula

parakeets but lower pitched, more nasal or laughing, and less rapid-paced.

STATUS: Fairly common to common, to 1800m; somewhat nomadic in nonbr.

season and range likely still expanding with deforestation. (Nicaragua to w. Panama.)

ORANGE-FRONTED PARAKEET  Eupsittula canicularis 23–25cm. Forest and

edge, ranchland and other semi-open areas with trees, plantations, mangroves.

In pairs or small flocks; flight fast and direct to twisting, mainly at treetop

height. Note distinctive head and breast patterns. Cf. Crimson-fronted Para­

keet, which often flies higher overhead in larger flocks. Orange-chinned

Parakeet smaller, with distinctive bounding flight. SOUNDS: Screechy, slightly

burry krrieh and kreeíh, often doubled and in screaming series; also lower burry

calls when perched, rreh and krreh. Higher and shriller than Crimson-fronted

Parakeet. STATUS: Fairly common to common on Pacific slope, locally to 1200m

in Central Valley. (Mexico to Costa Rica.)

*AZTEC [OLIVE-THROATED] PARAKEET  Eupsittula [nana] astec 23–25cm.

Lowland forest and edge, ranchland and other semi-open areas with trees,

plantations, mangroves. In pairs or small flocks, locally to 30 or so birds; flight

fast and direct to twisting, mainly at treetop height. Cf. larger Crimson-fronted

Parakeet. SOUNDS: Varied screeching, slightly burry calls, similar to Orange-

fronted Parakeet; higher, shriller, and faster-paced than Crimson-fronted

Parakeet. STATUS:  Fairly common to common on Caribbean slope, mainly

below 700m. (Mexico to w. Panama.)

*VERAGUAS [BROWN-THROATED[ PARAKEET  Eupsittula [pertinax] ocu­

laris 23–25cm. Ranchland, savanna, other open and semi-open areas with trees,

wooded patches, plantations. Distinctive in its limited Costa Rican range, where

no other Eupsittula species occurs: note brownish face and upper breast with

contrasting yellow-orange patch below eyes, dark bill. Cf. larger Crimson-

fronted Parakeet, smaller Orange-chinned Parakeet. SOUNDS: Varied screechy

and shrieking calls, relatively low and scratchy or gravelly, distinctly more grating

than relatively mellow calls of Crimson-fronted Parakeet. STATUS: Fairly common

in s. Pacific lowlands, where has spread from Panama in 2000s, following

deforestation. (Costa Rica to Panama.)