# Green-cheeked Parakeet (*Pyrrhura molinae*) The Green-cheeked Parakeet is a small, colorful bird that loves to play and chatter. They are friendly and can even learn to say a few words! Their bright green feathers make them easy to spot. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Green-cheeked Conure ![Green-cheeked Parakeet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Green-cheeked_Parakeet_%28Pyrrhura_molinae_australis%29%252C_Santa_B%C3%A1rbara%252C_Jujuy%252C_Argentina_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: hhulsberg, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Green-cheeked_Parakeet_%28Pyrrhura_molinae_australis%29%252C_Santa_B%C3%A1rbara%252C_Jujuy%252C_Argentina_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Green-cheeked Parakeet has a vibrant green body and a distinctive maroon tail. Its head is greyish-brown with contrasting green cheeks and a white scaled pattern on its chest, making it easily identifiable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Psittaciformes - **Family:** Psittacidae - **Genus:** Pyrrhura ## Interesting facts - Green-cheeked Parakeets have even been seen 'play-fighting' just for fun! - Their scientific name, Pyrrhura, means 'fire tail' for their reddish feathers! - These clever birds use their strong feet like hands to hold their food! - They often sleep snuggled together in tree hollows with their whole flock! ## Special abilities - **Forest Acrobatics:** Green-cheeked Parakeets can fly with incredible agility through dense forest canopies because of their powerful, short wings. - **Seed Cracker Beak:** Green-cheeked Parakeets have a strong, curved beak that helps them crack open tough nuts and seeds for food. - **Social Chatter:** Green-cheeked Parakeets can communicate complex messages using various calls and chirps because of their vocal cords. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 24-26 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.06-0.08 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 22-25 days ## Diet & Feeding These colorful birds munch on seeds, fruits, and flowers found in their forest homes! - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Roadside Hawk (*Buteo magnirostris*) — Juvenile parakeets are prey for these common raptors. - **Eaten by:** Boa Constrictor (*Boa constrictor*) — Snakes raid nests for eggs and chicks, or catch adults. - **Eats:** Bolivian Fig (*Ficus boliviana*) — These parakeets frequently feed on ripe fig fruits. - **Eats:** Surinam Cherry (*Eugenia uniflora*) — They enjoy consuming the sweet berries of this shrub. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch these birds from a distance and don't try to touch them unless you are with an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green-cheeked Parakeet? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Green-cheeked Parakeet? 24-26 cm ### What is Green-cheeked Parakeet's wingspan? 30-35 cm ### How much does Green-cheeked Parakeet weigh? 0.06-0.08 kg ### How long does Green-cheeked Parakeet live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Green-cheeked Parakeet move? 40 km/h ### What does Green-cheeked Parakeet eat? These colorful birds munch on seeds, fruits, and flowers found in their forest homes! ### Where is Green-cheeked Parakeet usually found? Forests ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Green-cheeked Parakeet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-cheeked-parakeet)