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Sclater's Parrotlet - Forpus sclateri (G. R. Gray 1859)

1. Forpus s. sclateri or female (G. R. Gray 1859)
Sclater's Parrotlet
German: Sclaters Sperlingspapagei

Description
General plumage dark green; forehead and cheeks dull emerald-green; sometimes forming clearly
defined facial area; breast and abdomen bluish-green with olive markings; lower back, under wing-coverts and rump very dark violet-blue; primaries black with dark-green outer webs; secondaries violet-blue with green tips; primary- and secondary-coverts slightly paler violet-blue; underside of flight feathers bluish-grey; bill horn-coloured with blackish base to upper mandible; in some birds nearly all of bill black; skin to narrow periophthalmic ring dark-grey; iris dark-brown; feet greyish-brown.

Female as male, but much paler; all blue plumage green; breast and abdomen with faint yellowish tinge; facial area yellowish-green, in some females pale greenish-yellow.

Immatures as adults, but duller.

Length
12 cm (4.75 ins)

Distribution
From northern Brazil, eastern Peru, northeastern Ecuador and southeastern Colombia eastwards across Amazon basin to Par , northeastern Brazil.

2. Forpus s. eidos or female Peters 1937
Schomburgk's Parrotlet
German: Blasser Schwarzschnabel-Sperlingspapagei

Description
As sclateri, but generally paler; facial area bright emerald-green; breast and abdomen more yellowish-green; lower back, under wing-coverts and rump plare violet-blue.

Female as male, but much paler; all blue plumage green; breast, abdomen and especially under tail-coverts with yellowish tinge.

Length
12 cm (4.75 ins)

Distribution
French Guiana, western Guyana, Venezuela in Bolívar and most southerly part of Amazonas Province; most eastern part of Ecuador and upper Rio Negro region in Brazil; evidence for Carabobo, Venezuela (a single specimen) is clearly erroneous.

Habitat
Open rain-forest, tall secondary vegetation and open country with plenty of trees to 500 m (1,650 ft), occasionally to 1000 m (3,300 ft); prefers areas along water courses.

Status
Common, but completely absent in many areas.

Habits
Usually in flocks of 10 to 50 birds outside breeding period; seldom found in pairs; gatherings of 100 or more birds on feeding trees; mostly noticed because of light twittering of flock; restless; does not stay long in one tree; well camouflaged by plumage; can be distinguished in wild from other parrotlets by black bill; call high-pitched twittering; flight swift and slightly undulating.

Natural diet
Seeds, berries and fruits found in trees; regularly visits barreiros and river banks to feed off mineral soil.

Breeding behaviour
Breeding period probably in July; nests in dead trees; in one case 3 m (10 ft) from ground; no further details known; egg measures 18.2 x 14.8 mm (0.72 x 0.58 ins).

Aviculture
Unknown; supposed to have been imported a few times to England; behaviour probably a little different to other parrotlets.

Accommodation
If the species should ever come into aviculture aviary 3 x 1 x 2 m (9 x 3 x 6 ft) recommended; also possibly birdroom cage at least 120 x 40 x 50 cm (48 x 16 x 20 ins); minimum temperature 15°C (59°F), not less than 20°C (68°F) during acclimation.

Diet
Seed mix of wheat, oats, canary grass, various millets, weeds and some sunflower; millet spray (also sprouted); probably needs plenty of fruit, vegetables and greenfood.

Breeding in aviculture
Unknown