Fuertes's parrot, also known as the indigo-winged parrot, is an Endangered species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Colombia.
Region
Northern Andes of Colombia
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid montane cloud forests on the Central Andes, favoring mature forest with abundant epiphytes and fruiting trees. It uses forest edges, ridgelines, and clearings adjacent to forest when foraging. Stands of wax palm and patches of Chusquea bamboo are frequently used. The species’ distribution is highly fragmented, with a few known localities and limited dispersal between them.
Altitude Range
2000–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Fuertes's parrot, or indigo-winged parrot, was long thought extinct until its rediscovery in 2002 in Colombia’s Central Andes. It is tightly associated with high-elevation cloud forests and often forages near stands of wax palm. Its tiny range and ongoing habitat loss make it one of the rarest Neotropical parrots. Conservation actions include habitat protection and monitoring of small, localized populations.
Plate from the American Museum Journal article on the discovery of the species by Chapman in Cauca, Colombia
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flights between forest patches
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small, loose flocks that move through the canopy while calling. Nests are believed to be in tree cavities within mature forest. Pairs maintain close contact and may join small feeding aggregations at fruiting trees. Local movements likely track ephemeral food resources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, nasal notes and chattering calls given in flight and from perches. Contact calls carry well over the canopy and are often the first clue to their presence.
Plumage
Mostly green with an olive cast, with subtle rufous to brownish tones on the face and ear-coverts. Flight feathers and underwing coverts show a distinctive indigo to cobalt-blue panel visible in flight. Tail is green with bluish tips; small reddish or chestnut touches may occur at the bend of the wing.
Diet
Feeds primarily on fruits, seeds, and buds from a variety of Andean forest trees and epiphytes. It often targets fruiting palms and lauraceous trees, and also takes flowers and new shoots seasonally. Foraging is mostly by gleaning in the canopy and subcanopy, sometimes hanging to reach clusters.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the canopy of humid cloud forest, especially at forest edges and along ridgelines with fruiting trees. It also visits isolated fruiting trees and wax palms in partially cleared landscapes near intact forest.
