Golden-plumed Parakeet Leptosittaca branickii Scientific name definitions

The Golden-plumed Parakeet is a distinctive, long-tailed parrot of high elevations in the Andes. It is green overall, with a yellow-orange band stretching from the bill, under the eye, and ending in a short plume behind the eye. The belly has a large yellow and orange patch, the wings are yellow below, and the tail is reddish below. This species occurs in cloud forest near treeline, particularly where Podocarpus trees are common, from southern Colombia south to southern Peru. It feeds primarily on Podocarpus seeds, but also seeds and fruits of other cloud forest trees, moving about the landscape in small, tight flocks. There is little information on the breeding behavior of this species, although it has been observed apparently prospecting for nest sites in palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense and Ceroxylon parvifrons). It is apparently nomadic, perhaps in response to variation in food availability.