The sulphur-breasted parakeet, or sulphur-breasted conure is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Brazil and Suriname. It resembles the closely related sun parakeet.
Region
Guiana Shield and eastern Amazonia
Typical Environment
Occurs in northern South America, recorded in Brazil (particularly eastern Amazonia, including Pará and adjacent states) and Suriname. It inhabits tropical lowland forests, forest edges, secondary growth, and riverine and seasonally flooded woodlands. Birds frequently use canopy and upper edges but will descend to mid-levels to feed. They tolerate mosaic landscapes and may enter groves, palm stands, and clearings near human settlements.
Altitude Range
0–700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also known as the sulphur-breasted conure, this species was split from the sun parakeet based on differences in plumage and range. It forms noisy, fast-flying flocks that are most often detected by their sharp, ringing calls. It frequents forest edges and riverine woodlands and sometimes visits cultivated areas for fruit and seeds. Like many Neotropical parrots, it faces pressure from habitat loss and trapping in parts of its range.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flight
Social Behavior
Typically travels in small to medium-sized flocks that keep contact with loud calls. Pairs nest in tree cavities, often in tall, mature trees along forest edges or waterways. Communal roosting is common outside the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, piercing screeches and sharp, metallic notes, especially in flight. Perched birds give chattering contact calls and softer twitters within flocks.
Plumage
Mostly green above with a bright sulphur-yellow breast and belly, contrasting orange on the face and lores, and blue tinges on the flight feathers and tail. The wings show blue primaries and the tail is long and tapered with bluish tips. Bare pale eye-ring is evident around a dark iris; bill is robust and black.
Diet
Feeds on a variety of fruits, seeds, and berries, including palm fruits and figs. Also takes flower buds and nectar when available. Will occasionally consume soft plant matter and small invertebrates incidentally while foraging. Can visit crops and orchards at forest margins.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the canopy and along forest edges, in gallery forests, and in secondary growth. It often uses fruiting trees along rivers and clearings and may exploit mixed-species fruiting flocks.
