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.