White-eyed Parakeets

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Psittacara leucophthalmus
• Spanish Name: Perico ojiblanco
• Family: Psittacidae
• Known Nicknames: White-eyed Conure, White-eyed Aratinga
• Average Length: 30–34 cm / 11.8–13.4 in
• Average Weight: 100–160 g / 3.5–5.6 oz
• Wingspan: 50–55 cm / 19.7–21.7 in
• Key Feature: Prominent bare white eye-ring and red underwing coverts with yellow tips
• Primary Diet: Primarily Frugivore and Granivore
• Range: Widespread across South America, including Brazil, Colombia, the Guianas, and northern Argentina
• Habitat: Tropical and subtropical lowland forests, woodlands, savannas, and urban parks
• Social Structure: Highly Social; typically observed in large communal flocks
• Nesting/Breeding: Tree cavities or hollowed-out palm trunks
• Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
• Population Trend: Stable

The White-eyed Parakeet (*Psittacara leucophthalmus*) is a vibrant and highly adaptable neotropical parrot native to the forests and urban landscapes of South America. Primarily cloaked in a lush emerald-green plumage, this medium-sized bird is most distinguished by the prominent patch of bare, creamy-white skin encircling its eyes, which provides a striking contrast to its dark irises and horn-colored beak. While it may appear uniform at rest, the parakeet reveals hidden splendor during flight, showcasing brilliant flashes of red and yellow feathers on its underwing coverts and the bend of the wing. Renowned for their intelligence, social nature, and impressive vocal mimicry, these resilient birds are often seen in boisterous flocks, making them one of the most charismatic and widespread members of the *Psittacara* genus.

Fun Facts

Despite their name, the most striking feature of the White-eyed Parakeet is hidden; they reveal vibrant splashes of red and yellow under their wings only during flight. These social birds are known for their "noisy" communal roosts, where hundreds gather to sleep, and their quirky habit of geophagy—eating clay to detoxify their diet of wild seeds. They are also remarkably playful, often engaging in mock wrestling matches and acrobatic displays with their flock-mates. Their prominent white eye-ring is actually bare skin rather than feathers, giving them a permanently surprised expression that distinguishes them from similar-looking green conures.

Habitats & Distribution

This species is widely distributed across South America, primarily east of the Andes. Its range extends from eastern Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas southward through much of Brazil and eastern Bolivia to Paraguay, northern Argentina, and Uruguay. It is one of the most common and widespread parakeets in the Neotropics, often found at elevations ranging from sea level up to approximately 2,500 meters. Highly adaptable, it inhabits a diverse array of environments including humid lowland forests, gallery forests, and swampy areas like mangroves. It also thrives in more open landscapes such as savannas, woodland edges, and agricultural lands. In recent years, it has become increasingly well-established in urban environments, frequently nesting and foraging in city parks and suburban gardens throughout its range.

Behaviours & Reproduction

These birds are intensely social, typically moving in noisy flocks that can range from a few dozen to several hundred individuals. Within these larger groups, they maintain strong monogamous pair bonds, often seen flying in close proximity or engaging in mutual preening to reinforce their connection. They are highly adaptable and communal, frequently traveling between shared roosting sites and diverse foraging grounds in forests, savannas, or even urban parks. During the breeding season, pairs select nesting sites in tree cavities, palm hollows, or crevices in buildings and limestone cliffs. The female typically lays a clutch of three to four eggs, which she incubates for about 24 to 26 days while the male provides food and guards the territory. Both parents are involved in feeding the chicks, which fledge after approximately eight weeks. A notable reproductive trait is their high site fidelity, as pairs often return to the same successful nesting locations in subsequent years.

Diet

The White-eyed Parakeet maintains a diverse diet primarily consisting of seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, and blossoms sourced from a wide variety of tropical plants. They are particularly fond of the fruits from palm trees and figs, often congregating in large flocks to forage in the forest canopy or open woodlands. An interesting aspect of their feeding behavior is their occasional consumption of insects and larvae, which provide essential protein, especially during the breeding season. Furthermore, these parakeets are known to visit clay licks, where they ingest mineral-rich soil to help neutralize secondary compounds and toxins found in some of the unripe fruits and seeds they consume. While they play a vital role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers, they are also recognized for their adaptability, sometimes venturing into agricultural areas to feed on crops like corn and citrus fruits.

Colors

The White-eyed Parakeet is primarily clad in vibrant green plumage that provides excellent camouflage within tropical canopies. Its most defining features include a prominent white fleshy eye-ring and scattered red feathers on the head and neck. While appearing mostly green at rest, it reveals striking red and yellow underwing coverts during flight, complemented by a pale, horn-colored beak.

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