The rose-faced parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Chocó biogeographic region
Typical Environment
Occurs from western Colombia south into northwestern Ecuador, mainly along the humid Pacific lowlands and the west Andean foothills. Prefers primary and well-developed secondary evergreen rainforest, using the upper canopy and forest edges. It visits fruiting trees in clearings and along rivers and can appear locally common where intact habitat remains. Movements are mostly local, tracking seasonal food availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This parrot has distinctive bare facial skin that is rosy-pink, giving the species its name. It often travels in small, fast-moving canopy flocks and can be surprisingly quiet while feeding. In flight it reveals reddish underwing coverts that aid identification. Habitat loss in the Chocó region is the main threat to the species.
Eating banana
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct canopy flights
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in small groups or pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species canopy feeding flocks. Nests in tree cavities, with breeding timed to periods of high fruit availability. Pairs maintain close contact calls while foraging and rejoin small flocks to move between fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of soft, nasal squeals and wheezy notes, interspersed with sharper squawks in flight. Calls carry over the canopy but are less raucous than many similar-sized parrots.
Plumage
Mostly green with a dusky-brownish crown and nape; upperparts and wings green with bluish edging; underwing coverts reddish; tail green with bluish tips.
Diet
Primarily eats a wide variety of fruits and berries, including figs and palm fruits. Also takes seeds and occasionally flower parts. Forages by gleaning in the canopy and subcanopy, often at fruiting trees. May swallow fruits whole and later regurgitate seeds, helping with seed dispersal.
Preferred Environment
Feeds high in the canopy of humid forest, along edges, and in partially disturbed secondary growth where fruiting trees are abundant. Will visit riverine corridors and forest clearings with fruiting patches.
