Golden capped conure Gold capped conure
Golden-Capped Conure

Scientific Classification

Common Name
golden-capped conure, golden-capped parakeet
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittacidae (true parrots)
Genus Species
Aratinga (bright and macaw-like) auricapillus (gold head)

Fast Facts

Description
The golden-capped conure has a green body with a red and gold cap and a red breast.
Size
Approximately 30 cm (12 in.) in length
Weight
Approximately 150 g (5.3 oz.)
Diet
These birds feed on fruits like mango, papaya and orange and seeds.
Incubation
Approximately 30 days
Clutch Size
3 to 5 eggs
Life Span
Approximately 30 to 35 years
Range
These birds are primarily found in southeastern Brazil.
Habitat
This species is found in both humid Atlantic coastal forest and inland transitional forests. It is largely dependent on semi-deciduous forest, but forages and breeds in forest edge, adjacent secondary growth, agricultural areas, and even urban areas.
Population
The population has not been formally estimated but is believed to number more than 10,000 individuals. That is roughly equivalent to 6,700 mature individuals; however, detailed research is still required. The population is declining but is not severely fragmented.
Status 
IUCN: Near Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
USFWS: Vulnerable

Fun Facts

Due to the small population in the wild, little is known about this bird.

Though they are not known as a truly social bird, pairs and small groups may be seen feeding in the treetops together.

These birds have a tendency to spend long periods of time in their nest, even when not breeding.

They are playful birds and are said to be clown-like.

Due to their sharp screeching calls, they are often known as "little macaws."


Ecology and Conservation

There has been extensive clearance and fragmentation of suitable habitat for coffee, soybean and sugarcane plantations and cattle-ranching (Snyder et al. 2000). Trapping for trade has probably had a significant impact since it was relatively common in illegal Brazilian markets in the mid-1980s.

The U.S. Wild Bird Act prohibits the commercial import of any bird listed by CITES which includes most parrots.


Bibliography

Forshaw, J.M. Parrots of the World. New Jersey. T.F.H. Publications Inc. 1978. 

Marrison, C. and A. Greensmith. Birds of the World. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc. 1993.

Perrins, C. (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Birds. New York: Facts on File Publications. 1985.

abcbirds.org/international/parrots.htm

birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html

BirdLife International. 2016. Aratinga auricapillus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22685710A93084117. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22685710A93084117.en. Downloaded on 27 February 2019.

Photo Credit: Aratinga_auricapillus_-Jurong_Bird_Park_-8a.jpg. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image by: Peter Tani. Year Created: 13 June 2009. Website: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aratinga_auricapillus_-Jurong_Bird_Park_-8a.jpg. License: CC by SA 2.0.