Grey-cheeked Parakeet
The Grey-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhoptera), less commonly known as Fire-winged Parakeet, is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.
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| Grey-cheeked Parakeet |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16420772@N07/
Taxonomy
The Grey-cheeked Parakeet was described and named by John Latham in 1801.
Description
It is mostly green in color with characteristic gray cheeks and a gray-blue crown. The underside of the wings bears a bright orange swath between the lesser coverts and the mantle earning them the name "Orange-flanked parakeet", and the primary flight feathers are normally blue or bluish green in color. Indeed, the species name pyrrhoptera, (lit. flame wing) gives light to these attributes. The average wingspan, length, and weight are 117 mm., 20 cm., and 54 grams, respectively. The average lifespan in captivity is approximately 23 years. Grey-cheeks vocalize quite loudly despite their size. The sound could be described as a quick, sharp screech, and vocalizations may involve many monotone screeches in succession.
