The fiery-shouldered parakeet, also known as the fiery-shouldered conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. There are two subspecies, P. e. egregia and P. e. obscura.
Region
Guiana Shield (Pantepui Highlands)
Typical Environment
Occurs in southeastern Venezuela, western Guyana, and adjacent northern Brazil (Roraima) in subtropical to tropical moist montane forests. It favors cloud forest, forest edges, and montane foothill forest on tepui slopes. Birds often use secondary growth and clearings with tall trees. They may descend locally to lower elevations to exploit seasonal fruiting, but remain tied to humid forest habitats.
Altitude Range
800–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the fiery-shouldered conure, this small parrot is named for its vivid orange-red shoulder patch. It lives in humid montane forests of the Guiana Shield and often travels in noisy, fast-moving flocks. Like many Pyrrhura parakeets, it nests in tree cavities and shows strong pair bonds. It is occasionally seen at forest edges and clearings, especially where fruiting trees are abundant.
Demerara hen. Male and Female show no dimorphism.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; swift, direct flight
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small to medium flocks that maintain contact with frequent calls. Pairs are monogamous and nest in tree cavities, sometimes reusing sites in successive seasons. Communal roosting occurs outside the breeding season, and flocks move together to feeding sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, chattering series of squeaky notes and harsh trills, especially in flight. At roosts or while feeding they give softer chatters and contact calls, remaining conspicuous by sound even when obscured by foliage.
Plumage
Mostly green with a distinctive fiery orange-red patch on the shoulders (lesser wing coverts), maroon belly patch, and bluish flight feathers. The breast shows pale buffy scaling on a dusky background, and the crown is brownish with green cheeks. Tail is maroon from below with green upper tail coverts. A pale bare eye-ring contrasts with dark eyes.
Diet
Feeds primarily on wild fruits, berries, and seeds, supplemented by flowers, buds, and nectar. Will take figs, melastome berries, and other seasonally available canopy fruits. Occasional ingestion of larvae or other small invertebrates may occur while foraging. Often visits fruiting trees in small groups and may exploit cultivated fruit near forest edges.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid- to upper canopy of humid montane and cloud forests. Frequently uses forest edges, tall second growth, and tepui slopes where fruiting shrubs and trees are concentrated.
