The grey-breasted parakeet is an Endangered species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. Long thought to be endemic to Ceará in northeastern Brazil, it has also been documented in Bahia.
Region
Northeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Found mainly in humid montane and submontane Atlantic Forest enclaves, especially in the Serra de Baturité of Ceará, with additional records from Bahia. It favors evergreen and semi-deciduous forest, forest edges, and secondary growth, and often persists in shade-coffee agroforestry where canopy is retained. The species uses natural tree cavities and readily accepts artificial nest boxes. Fragmentation limits movements between forest patches, making connected canopy important for foraging and nesting.
Altitude Range
200–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small parakeet is confined to montane forests of northeastern Brazil and was once thought to occur only in Ceará. Intensive conservation actions, including nest-box programs and habitat protection, have helped its numbers rebound. It often forms noisy flocks and readily uses artificial cavities for breeding. Its grey, scalloped breast makes it distinctive among Pyrrhura parakeets.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in small, noisy flocks that roost communally. Pairs nest in tree cavities and frequently use nest boxes when available. They are generally monogamous and show strong site fidelity to favored roost and nest sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, squeaky chatters and trills used to keep contact in flight. At roosts, flocks produce a lively chorus of high-pitched notes, with softer chattering during foraging.
Plumage
Green upperparts with bluish flight feathers, a grey, finely scalloped breast and belly, and a reddish tail. The face shows pale whitish ear-coverts contrasted with darker lores and crown. Underparts exhibit subtle scaling that gives the breast a ‘grey-breasted’ appearance.
Diet
Primarily consumes fruits and berries of native trees, supplemented by seeds, flower buds, and nectar. It occasionally visits cultivated fruits where forests border farms. Foraging typically occurs in the canopy and upper midstory, with frequent acrobatic gleaning.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in mature and secondary forest, forest edges, and shade-coffee plantations that maintain tall canopy trees. It often follows fruiting trees across small forest fragments.
