Andean Parakeets

Bolborhynchus - Thick-mouth Parakeets

The Andean Parakeet (Bolborhynchus orbygneisus - formerly known as B. audicolus) is a Mountain Parakeet that is endemic to Highlands of Peru, northern Bolivia, where it usually can be found in the upland forests at elevations of 4,900 to 16,400 ft (1,500 to 5,000 m).

They can usually be seen in small flocks of 10 to 50 parakeets - although at times one can see a flock of up to 200 or even 300 of these little parrots congregate in a favored feeding area.

The Andean Parakeet eats seeds, buds, and berries, and it breeds in burrows in steep banks. Hens lay up to 10 in a clutch and the eggs are incubated for about 20 days.

Description:

Size: This small parrot averages 6 to 8 inches (~ 17 to 20 cm) in length.

Adult Male: The plumage is dull green. The forehead, lores (the region between the eye and bill on the side of a bird's head) and chin are lightly tinged with yellow. The throat, breast, abdomen and thighs are yellowish-olive green. The greater under wing-coverts are bluish-green. The primaries (longest wing feathers) have a pale bluish-green to the outer webs. The tail underside is bluish-green. The bill is greenish-grey. The irides (= plural of iris) are dark brown; and the cere (soft skin surrounding the nostrils) and feet are dark pinkish-flesh in color.

Females have less or lack the yellowish tinge to the forehead, lores (the region between the eye and bill on the side of a bird's head) and chin. The tail is mostly more pointed than the male's.

Immatures look like females but have shorter tails.

Species Identification:

Many aviculturists and some museums frequently confuse the Andean Parakeet with the female of Margarit's Parakeets (Bolborhynchus aurifrons margaritae) or Red-billed Parakeets (Bolborhynchus aurifrons rubrirostris), which also have dark colored bill. Both species can be easily identified from tail length. In Mountain Parakeets (Bolborhynchus aurifrons) the tail is usually over 2.75 inches (70 mm). The shape is different as well. The Mountain Parakeets have long and pointed tails, while the Andean Parakeet's tail is short and broad.

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Consistent training and behavioral guidance is recommended so that you can enjoy a bird free of destructive and annoying habits. Behavioral challenges that these parakeets present include:

• Chewing: Any parrot will chew. In nature, they use their beak to "customize" their favorite tree, to enlarge the size of their nest in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps their beaks in good condition. The problem is excessive and undesirable chewing. Heavy chewing is not a huge problem with lories per se. Most of them never really develop any major destructive issues in that area. However, it is recommended that the owner provide their pet birds with plenty of "healthy" chewing opportunities (bird toys, natural wood branches, etc.) and training is necessary to teach a companion bird what items are "off-limits."



• Biting: Parrots are likely to discover their beaks as a method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage." It really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established.



• Screaming: Andean Parakeets are considered "moderately noisy." Even though their natural call / voice cannot be entirely eliminated; but their occurrence can be reduced.
  

Training and behavioral guidance will help your pet be the kind of companion you want it to be ...

• AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.


• If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
  
  • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
    • Stop Biting
    • Perform Tricks &
    • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
  • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:

• Procuring your Parrot
  • Bird Breeders
  • Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.


• The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy



• Housing Your Bird



• Bird Nutrition



• Parrot Products

Taxonomy:

Species: Scientific: Bolborhynchus orbygnesius ... English: Andean Parakeet ... Dutch: Andes Parkiet ... German: Andensittich ... French: Perruche Anoinnes, Peruche des Andes ... CITES II - Endangered Species

Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots.

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