Green-cheeked parakeet

{{Speciesbox | image = Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae molinae), Samaipata, Bolivia 1.jpg | image_caption = Nominate ''Pyrrhura molinae molinae'' in central Bolivia | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=Green-cheeked Parakeet ''Pyrrhura molinae'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T22685820A130103512 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22685820A130103512.en |access-date=7 March 2023}}</ref> | status2 = CITES_A2 | status2_system = CITES | status2_ref = <ref name =CITES>{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=4 March 2023|website=cites.org}}</ref> | taxon = Pyrrhura molinae | authority = (Massena & Souancé, 1854) | range_map = Pyrrhura molinae map.svg | range_map_caption= Green-cheeked parakeet range<ref name=IUCN/> }}

The '''green-cheeked parakeet''' ('''''Pyrrhura molinae'''''), also sometimes known as the '''green-cheeked conure''' in aviculture, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, aka the parrots.<ref name=IOC13.1>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/parrots/ |title=Parrots, cockatoos |website=IOC World Bird List |version =v 13.1 |editor-last1=Gill |editor-first1= F. |editor-last2=Donsker|editor-first2=D.|editor-last3=Rasmussen |editor-first3=P. |date=January 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023 }}</ref> It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.<ref name=SACCcountries>Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. 30 January 2023. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved January 30, 2023</ref> It is also a popular pet bird.

==Taxonomy and systematics==

The green-cheeked parakeet has six subspecies:<ref name=IOC13.1/>

*''P. m. flavoptera'' Maijer, Herzog, Kessler, Friggens & Fjeldsa, 1998 *''P. m. molinae'' (Massena & Souance, 1854) *''P. m. phoenicura'' (Schlegel, 1864) *''P. m. hypoxantha'' (Salvadori 1899) *''P. m. restricta'' Todd, 1947 *''P. m. australis'' Todd, 1915

upright|left|thumb|''P. m. australis'' in Jujuy, Argentina Subspecies ''P. m. hypoxantha'' was previously known as ''P. m. sordida'' and was sometimes treated as a separate species. However, by the principle of priority the older name ''hypoxantha'' replaced ''sordida''.<ref name=GCPA-BOW>Collar, N. and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Green-cheeked Parakeet (''Pyrrhura molinae''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gncpar.01 retrieved March 7, 2023</ref> The green-cheeked parakeet has also been treated as conspecific with the maroon-bellied parakeet (''P. frontalis'').<ref name=GCPA-BOW/><ref name=SACClist>Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 30 January 2023. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved January 30, 2023</ref><ref name=Juniper>{{cite book|last1=Juniper |first1=T. |last2= Parr |first2=M. |year=1998|title=Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World|page= 462|publisher=Pica Press|isbn=978-0-300-07453-6}}</ref>

The green-cheeked parakeet is most closely related to the maroon-bellied, pearly (''P. lepida''), and crimson-bellied (''P. perlata'') parakeets.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/><ref>Ribas, C.C., Joseph, L. and Miyaki, C.Y. (2006). Molecular systematics and patterns of diversification in ''Pyrrhura'' (Psittacidae), with special reference to the picta-leucotis complex. Auk 123(3): 660–680</ref>

==Description==

The green-cheeked parakeet is {{convert|25|to|26|cm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and weighs {{convert|62|to|81|g|oz|abbr=on}}. The sexes are the same sizes. Adults of the nominate subspecies ''P. m. molinae'' are dull brown from forehead to nape and have green cheeks, ashy brown ear coverts, and a creamy white ring of bare skin around the eye. Their upperparts are green. Their chin, throat, and the sides of their neck are a scaly brown and whitish. Their belly is dull reddish and their lower flanks and vent area are green. Their wing is mostly green, with bluish flight feathers. Their tail is dull reddish. Immatures are similar to adults but without the red belly.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/>

Subspecies ''P. m. phoenicura'' is green on the upper surface of its tail's base. ''P. m. restricta'' has a blue collar, a blue tinge on its cheeks, and a smaller red belly patch than the nominate. ''P. m. hypoxantha'' has a paler crown and less distinct scaling on the breast than the nominate. ''P. m. australis'' is paler than the nominate and has a larger red belly patch.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/><ref name=vanPerlo>{{cite book | last =van Perlo | first = Ber| title =A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil | publisher =Oxford University Press | date =2009 | location =New York | page =126 | isbn =978-0-19-530155-7 }}</ref> ''P. m. flavoptera'' is orange to red at the bend of the wing and on the carpal edge and is otherwise like the nominate.<ref name=WPT>{{cite web |url=https://www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/green-cheeked-conure/ |title=Green-cheeked Conure (''Pyrrhura molinae'') |author= |website=parrots.org |publisher=World Parrot Trust |access-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref>

A small number of individuals of ''P. m. hypoxantha'' have mostly yellow underparts.<ref name=vanPerlo/>

==Distribution and habitat==

The subspecies of the green-cheeked parakeet are found thus:<ref name=IOC13.1/><ref name=GCPA-BOW/>

*''P. m. flavoptera'', west-central Bolivia in southeastern La Paz and northwestern Cochabamba departments *''P. m. molinae'', Bolivia between La Paz and Chuquisaca departments *''P. m. phoenicura'', northeastern Santa Cruz Department in northeastern Bolivia and southwestern Mato Grosso in Brazil *''P. m. hypoxantha'', eastern Santa Cruz Department in extreme eastern Bolivia, western Mato Grosso do Sul in southwestern Brazil, and northern Paraguay *''P. m. restricta'', central Santa Cruz Department in east-central Bolivia *''P. m. australis'', from southern Bolivia's Tarija Department into northwestern Argentina as far as Tucumán Province

The green-cheeked parakeet inhabits lowland woodlands and forest (chiefly deciduous), secondary forest, and gallery forest in the lower elevations of the Pantanal and humid subtropical forest as high as {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/><ref name=vanPerlo/>

==Behavior== ===Movement===

The populations of green-cheeked parakeet breeding in higher elevations move to lower ones in winter.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/>

===Feeding===

The green-cheeked parakeet has a varied diet that, in the wild, consists of fruits, seeds, flowers and, to a lesser extent, nectar and leaves.<ref name=Benavídez2021>{{cite journal | last1 = Benavídez | first1 = Analía | last2 = Tallei | first2 = Ever | last3 = Lilian | first3 = Echevarría Ada | last4 = Rivera | first4 = Luis | title = Feeding ecology of the Green-cheeked Parakeet, ''Pyrrhura molinae'' (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae), in a subtropical forest of Argentina | journal = Neotropical Biology and Conservation | date = 23 March 2021 | volume = 16 | issue = 1 | pages = 205–219 | eissn = 2236-3777 | doi = 10.3897/neotropical.16.e62109 | s2cid = 233271662 | url = | doi-access = free | hdl = 11336/166341 | hdl-access = free }}</ref>

===Breeding===

The green-cheeked parakeet's breeding season in Argentina includes February, but its season elsewhere has not been defined. It nests in tree cavities.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/> In captivity the clutch size is four to six eggs, the incubation period is 22 to 25 days, both sexes incubate the clutch, and fledging occurs about seven weeks after hatch.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/><ref name=WPT/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beautyofbirds.com/greencheekedconurebreeding.html |title=Green-cheeked Conure Breeding/Reproduction |author= |date=16 September 2021 |publisher=Team Beauty of Birds |access-date=March 7, 2023 }}</ref>

{{birdsong|url=https://xeno-canto.org/species/Pyrrhura-molinae |species=green-cheeked parakeet}}

===Vocalization===

The green-cheeked parakeet's flight calls "comprise rather high-pitched notes with a grating quality and usually given in fast series, e.g. "krree krree krree", but also single "kuree" notes." From a perch it "utters high-pitched, more melodious notes, such as a bisyllabic "rrekeet" or "keew"." However, perched birds are often silent. Flocks in flight "call frequently and simultaneously, producing a noisy, harsh and piercing chattering."<ref name=GCPA-BOW/>

==Status==

The IUCN has assessed the green-cheeked parakeet as being of Least Concern. It has a fairly large range but its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.<ref name=IUCN/> It is considered common in much of its range.<ref name=GCPA-BOW/>

==In aviculture== {{More citations needed section|date=July 2009}}

Green-cheeked parakeets are common in aviculture and are popular companion parrots. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent, known as having a "big personality in a small body". They can learn to talk, albeit with a limited vocabulary and a gravelly voice.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/green-cheeked-conure/ |title=Green-Cheeked Conure – Pyrrhura molinae |publisher=Lafeber |access-date=2019-06-20}}</ref> They like to be held (although some like it more than others) and can learn tricks such as lying on their backs, "kissing", shaking, hanging upside down, minor tool use, and even can be potty trained. Green-cheeked parrots are not very loud at most times, so even an apartment dweller can enjoy their companionship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allaboutbirds.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46:all-about-green-cheek-conures&catid=34:green-cheek-conures&Itemid=53 |title=Specialist Breeders – Birds for Sale – All About Green Cheek Conures |publisher=All About Birds |access-date=2013-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409075902/http://allaboutbirds.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46%3Aall-about-green-cheek-conures&catid=34%3Agreen-cheek-conures&Itemid=53 |archive-date=2013-04-09 }}</ref> They are the quietest of the conures and can learn tricks and have a limited vocabulary, with extensive training.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lara |url=http://gcch.tripod.com/faq/faq2.html |title=The Green Cheek Conure Homepage |publisher=Gcch.tripod.com |access-date=2013-10-17}}</ref><ref name=WPT/> They can be prone to biting, particularly when young, but an owner can cure{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} this behavior with patience and time.

When cared for properly, captive green-cheeked parakeets can live 25–30 years. However, their average lifespan in captivity is closer to 10 years, due to frequent neglect and/or an incorrect diet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horvath |first=Ana |title=Pyrrhura molinae (green-cheeked parakeet) |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pyrrhura_molinae/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Animal Diversity Web |language=en}}</ref>

===Color variations===

In addition to the natural color forms, color varieties have been selectively bred in aviculture: * ''Cinnamon'' are lime green and have a lighter, paler coloring. The head is tan and the tail feathers are a lighter maroon compared to normal green-cheeked parakeets. * ''Yellow-sided'' have bright-colored breasts that graduate from red to yellow and dark gray heads. Rarely, they also possess a bright yellow feather on each side of the upper wing. This is a rare recessive character of which only one hatchling in approximately 10 clutches can be found to have. This feature often increases their value{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}. * ''Pineapple'' are a combination of the cinnamon and yellow-sided variations. They have a breast of bright colors, a tan head and lime green feathers on the back like a cinnamon green-cheeked parrot. The tail feathers are the same as a yellow-sided, providing a halo effect. * ''Turquoise'' have a body with some blue-green and green feathers. The end of the wing feathers have a highly iridescent quality if left unclipped. The breast feathers are grayish and the tail feathers are gray. * Green/red/blue apple varieties are less common, but have been seen.

<gallery widths="225px" heights="150px"> File:Pyrrhura molinae (cinnamon) -KL Bird Park-6a.jpg|Cinnamon variety File:Pyrrhura molinae -pineapple mutation -50 days old-6b.jpg|Pineapple variety (juvenile) File:2008-02-10 Uroko-vivi.jpg|Turquoise variety (wing-clipped adult) File:Yellow Sided Conure.jpg|Yellow-sided green-cheek variety File:Hatch the green-checked conure after a bath.jpg|Turquoise variety (unclipped) after a bath File:Pyrrhura molinae -pet with corn cob-8a.jpg|Scratching the neck with a corn cob, an example of tool use </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Pyrrhura molinae|lcfirst=yes}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140329093458/http://www.greencheekedconures.com/ Green-Cheeked Conures] Lucky Feathers Aviary – Species Profile, Green-Cheeked Conure Care, breeding and Diet Information

==Further reading== * {{cite book |first=Joseph M. |last=Forshaw | author-link=Joseph Forshaw |title=Parrots of the World; an Identification Guide|url=https://archive.org/details/parrotsofworldid0000fors |url-access=registration |others =Illustrated by Frank Knight|publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-09251-5 | year=2006 }}

green-cheeked parakeet Category:Birds of Bolivia Category:Birds of the Gran Chaco Category:Birds of the Pantanal green-cheeked parakeet Category:Parakeets green-cheeked parakeet