Sun Parakeet

The Sun Parakeet, widely known in aviculture as the Sun Conure, is one of the most vividly colored parrots in the world, its plumage a brilliant blend of golden-yellow and orange over the head and underparts, with green wing feathers tipped in blue and orange-tinged flight feathers. Immature birds are duller and greener, gradually acquiring the full blaze of adult coloring as they mature.

Despite its popularity in captivity, the species has suffered a severe decline in the wild, driven overwhelmingly by illegal capture for the pet trade alongside habitat loss, and it is now considered Endangered, with wild populations restricted to a comparatively small area of savanna woodland in northeastern South America.

Key field marks

• Small parakeet with vivid golden-yellow and orange plumage over the head and underparts
• Green wing feathers tipped with blue
• Long, pointed tail typical of Aratinga parakeets
• Duller, greener plumage in immature birds

Similar species

• Sulphur-breasted Parakeet and Jandaya Parakeet, close relatives, show more extensive green in the plumage and differ in the precise extent of orange and yellow coloring, with limited range overlap.
• No other parakeet in its range combines such an intensely saturated yellow-orange body with green-and-blue wings.

Habitat

Inhabits dry savanna woodland, forest edge, and palm groves.

Range

Restricted to a relatively small area of northeastern South America, including parts of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, and northern Brazil.

Migration

Non-migratory, though flocks may move locally in response to food availability.

Behavior

Highly social, typically found in small, noisy flocks that forage together and roost communally, often drawing attention with loud, persistent calling.

Voice

Loud, sharp, screeching calls given frequently, especially in flight and at roost sites.

Feeding

Feeds on seeds, fruit, flowers, and some insects, foraging in trees and shrubs of savanna and forest edge habitats.

Nesting

Nests in tree cavities and palm trunks; lays 3-4 white eggs.