Orange-winged Parrot

The Orange-winged Parrot is a medium-sized Amazon parrot, mostly bright green with a distinctive facial pattern of yellow on the crown and cheeks bordered by blue above and around the eye. The wings show a bright orange patch in the secondary flight feathers, largely concealed at rest but flashing conspicuously in flight, along with a violet-blue tinge to some of the wing coverts.

One of the most widespread and commonly encountered Amazon parrots in northern South America, it thrives in a broad range of habitats, from undisturbed forest to savanna, mangroves, and even towns and cities, where noisy flocks gather at fruiting trees and communal roosts.

Key field marks

• Mostly green body with yellow on the crown and cheeks
• Blue feathering above and around the eye
• Bright orange patch in the flight feathers, conspicuous in flight
• Medium size compared to other Amazon parrots

Similar species

• Mealy Parrot is larger and plainer, lacking the yellow-and-blue facial pattern and orange wing patch.
• Yellow-crowned Amazon has more extensive yellow on the crown but lacks the blue face markings and orange wing patch of the Orange-winged Parrot.

Habitat

Inhabits a wide range of habitats including humid forest, forest edge, savanna woodland, mangroves, and urban areas with scattered trees.

Range

Found across much of northern and central South America, including the Amazon basin, the Guianas, and Trinidad.

Migration

Non-migratory, though flocks commute daily between roosting and feeding sites.

Behavior

Highly social and adaptable, often forming large, noisy flocks at communal roosts, especially around towns and cities where it has adjusted well to human presence.

Voice

Loud, sharp screeches and squawks, frequently given in flight and around roost sites at dawn and dusk.

Feeding

Feeds mainly on fruit, seeds, nuts, and flowers, foraging in forest canopy as well as more open and cultivated habitats.

Nesting

Nests in tree cavities; lays 3-4 white eggs, incubated mainly by the female while the male provides food.