The Orange-fronted Parakeet or Orange-fronted Conure (Aratinga canicularis), also known as the Half-moon Conure, is a medium-sized parrot which is a resident from western Mexico to Costa Rica.

Taxonomy

There are three subspecies:

• Aratinga canicularis canicularis (Linnaeus, 1758)
• Aratinga canicularis clarae R. T. Moore, 1937
• Aratinga canicularis eburnirostrum (Lesson, 1842)

Habitat and range

It is found in lowlands and foothills on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges in forest canopy and edges, and more open woodland, including savanna and second growth.

Description

Orange-fronted Parakeets are 22.5 cm long and weigh 80 g. The adult is mainly green, paler and yellower below and with an olive tone to the breast. The wings have blue outer primaries and yellow linings, and the pointed tail is tipped with blue. The head is distinctive, with a blue crown, orange forehead, bare yellow eye-ring, yellow iris and white bill. Young birds are similar to the adults, but with much less orange on the forehead.

Behaviour

The Orange-fronted Parakeet feeds in flocks which can reach 100 birds outside the breeding season, taking various seeds, flowers and fruits including figs. Its flight call is a raucous can-can-can, and when perched it has a reedy zeeweet.

Breeding

The 3-5 white eggs are laid in an unlined nest cavity, usually self-excavated in an arboreal termite nest, but sometimes in an old woodpecker hole or natural cavity.

Aviculture

The population has decreased in many areas due to persecution for the pet trade.

Gallery

Pet parrot

Pet in a cage in Mexico