The Pacific parrotlet, also known as Lesson's parrotlet or the celestial parrotlet, is a species of small parrot in the family Psittacidae.
Description
Pacific parrotlets are small, olive green parrotlets. They are long and typically weigh. Wild Pacific parrotlets have olive green and grey bodies with blue streaks behind the eyes, just above their ear covert feathers and around the back of the head. Eyes are dark brown, and beaks and feet are light peach. This species demonstrates sexual dimorphism: males have a bright cobalt rump with blue patches on the tail and undersides of their wings as well as lighter, yellow-green faces. Females are mostly green with much duller blue patches behind the eyes and no cobalt rump or blue in their wings. These dimorphic color variations are true of most color mutations as well. Like all parrots, Pacific parrotlets exhibit zygodactyly, meaning two toes face forward and two face backward. In captivity there are many color mutations of Pacific parrotlets. These mutations include: blue, American yellow, American white, European yellow, white, lutino, and albino, as well as other, rarer colors. There are dilute, pied, freckled, marbled, cinnamon, and fallow versions of many these mutations as well.
Distribution and Habitat
Wild Pacific parrotlets are native to western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Most common in dry habitats such as the desert and deciduous forest, but have spread into humid areas in response to deforestation. Pacific parrotlets have also been reported in the middleMarañón valley. In 2014 a small flock of Pacific parrotlets was reported near the Rio Mataje in Nariño, southwestern Colombia. They are abundant across their range; populations are relatively undisturbed by human activity. Pacific parrotlets are found living in flocks from 40 to 50, on the borders of W lowlands and foothills, woodlands, shrubby clearings, gardens, parks, and crops. Pacific parrotlets typically live in subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest. Pacific parrotlets are non-migratory, meaning they stay in the same area year-round.
Pacific parrotlets are found living in flocks from 40 to 50. Calls are high-pitched and rapid "tchit"; in flock situations this produces a constant chattering.
Reproduction
Pacific parrotlets are very protective of their eggs and chicks. Each clutch has 4-6 white eggs, which are incubated for an average of 18 days. In the wild they nest in tree cavities or on fence posts. They have also been observed to nest in abandoned nests of necklaced spinetails and pale-legged horneros.
Diet
Pacific parrotlets tend to feed on berries and cactus fruits, but are not picky in their feeding. In captivity, parrotlets eat many fruits, seeds, vegetables, and herbs.
Aviculture
This species is not very common in pet stores and is valued by breeders. Its normal price range is $150–200 USD. Since 1930 the U.S. has had an established breeding population in captivity, before CITES laws preventing importing wildlife from foreign countries. In the wild, the average lifespan for Pacific parrotlets is 10.4 years. Captive Pacific parrotlets can be expected to live up to 25 years with good care and regular veterinary examinations, although individuals may have shorter or longer life spans. Pacific parrotlets, like many larger parrot species, can learn to "speak," or mimic, though their "voices" are not as clear as larger birds. Their vocabulary is relatively limited compared to larger parrots. The species is well known among parrotlet breeders and owners as being feisty and curious despite their small size.
