Red-throated parakeet

The red-throated parakeet (Psittacara rubritorquis), called red-throated conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Taxonomy and systematics
The red-throated parakeet was originally described as Conurus rubritoquis. It was later placed in genus Aratinga and from approximately 2013 has been in its present genus Psittacara.

The International Ornithological Committee and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World treat the red-throated parakeet as a full, monotypic, species. The Clements taxonomy and the American Ornithological Society consider it to be a subspecies of the green parakeet (P. holochlorus).



Description
The red-throated parakeet is about 28 cm long. The sexes are alike. Adults are generally green that is paler and yellower on their underparts. Their throat and upper breast have variable amounts of orange-red Their underwing coverts are yellowish green and the undersides of their flight feathers and tail are olive-yellow. Their iris is orange-red surrounded by bare pale beige skin, their bill horn colored, and their legs and feet brownish. Juveniles are similar but many have little or no red.

Distribution and habitat
The red-throated parakeet is found from eastern Guatemala south through Honduras and El Salvador into northern Nicaragua. It inhabits several forest types but favors highland pine forest. It also occurs in cities and towns. In elevation it generally ranges between 800 and 2600 m.

Movement
Some nonbreeding red-throated parakeets disperse from the highlands to lower elevations.

Feeding
The red-throated parakeet forms flocks of up to 100 individuals. Its diet has not been fully documented but is known to include seed and fruits.

Breeding
The red-throated parakeet's breeding season has not been defined but appears to vary geographically. It nests in tree cavities. The clutch size is four eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.

Vocalization
The red-throated parakeet's calls are described as similar to those of the Pacific parakeet (P. strenuus) but higher pitched. That species' flight call is rendered as "kreh!-kreh!-kreh!-kreh!...". Its perched call is lower pitched, "a scratchy kreeh-kreeh-kreeh-kreei-kreei".

Status
The IUCN has assessed the red-throated parakeet as being of Least Concern. It has a fairly large range, and though its population size is not known it is believed to be stable. No immeditate threats have been identified.