The turquoise-winged parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Pscittacidae.
Region
Northern Colombia (Caribbean lowlands)
Typical Environment
Occurs in seasonally dry forest, thorn scrub, gallery forest, and secondary growth, often within agricultural mosaics. It favors edges, clearings with scattered trees, and riparian corridors. Birds also use pastures and fallow fields where seed-bearing grasses are abundant. Local movements track food availability, but the species remains within the lowlands. Human-modified habitats are used if trees and hedgerows persist.
Altitude Range
0–600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The turquoise-winged parrotlet is a small Colombian parrotlet notable for the male’s bright turquoise wing patches. It inhabits fragmented dry forests and riparian woodlands in the Caribbean lowlands. The species is threatened by habitat loss from agriculture and cattle ranching, and is often seen in small, noisy flocks. It sometimes nests in natural tree cavities and occasionally in old fence posts or arboreal termite mounds.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small flocks, often joining mixed-species foraging groups in open woodlands. Courtship involves mutual preening and soft contact calls. Nests in cavities in trees, fence posts, or occasionally arboreal termite mounds; clutch size is usually 4–6 eggs. Both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are high-pitched, twittering notes and sharp tseet contact calls, often given in rapid series during flight. The song is a soft, chattering sequence interspersed with thin whistles, more frequent at dawn and late afternoon.
Plumage
Compact, mostly green parrotlet; males show bright turquoise to blue lesser wing-coverts and a bluish rump, females are greener with little to no blue. Feathers are smooth and close-fitting, giving a neat appearance.
Diet
Feeds on grass seeds, weed seeds, and the seeds of shrubs and trees, along with berries and small fruits. It also takes flower buds and nectar when available, and may occasionally consume small invertebrates. Birds often exploit seeding grasses along paths, field edges, and riverbanks. They sometimes visit croplands to glean spilled grain.
Preferred Environment
Forages at forest edges, along hedgerows, in secondary growth, and in open country with scattered trees. Frequently uses riparian corridors and the canopy of isolated trees for feeding and perching.
