White-eyed Conure (Aratinga leucophthalma)
The White-eyed Conure or White-eyed Parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalma) is native to northern South America – with a range that stretches from eastern Venezuela, Colombia and the Guianas in the north across Brazil to northern Argentina and Uruguay.
This conure is overall green, slightly paler on the breast and abdomen, with red on the shoulders and some random red specks on the head and neck. There are a few scattered red feathers to the bend and edge of wing, as well as outermost lesser under wing-coverts / feathers. The under-wing primary wing coverts are red tipped yellow. The underside of the wing and tail feathers are olive-yellow. The irises are brown, the feet are grey, and the bill is horn-colored.
Juveniles have little or no red and yellow in their plumage and have dark irises. Their habitats are forests, woodland areas, savannas and mangroves. The breeding season in Argentina stretches from November to December and in northern South America from February to June. They usually nests in tall palms but in urban areas they are at times found nesting under roofs and in other cavities. The average clutch consists of 3 to 4 eggs. During the breeding season, they are typically seen in pairs or family groups. Outside the breeding season, larger groups of 10 to 20 birds or flocks of 200 birds can be observed. They are nomadic and conspicuous because of their noisy calls. They are often seen flying and their flight is described as swift and straight with rapid wing-beats.
- Length: 30cms/12 inches
- Wing length: 166 – 188mm (6.5-7.5 ins)
- Weight: 100 – 130 grams
- Life span: 30 – 35 years
- Diet: seeds, fruit, nuts, berries, flowers, insects and their larvae.
- Incubation: 23 days
- No. of eggs: 3-4
