Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops)

Have you ever seen a bright yellow-faced parrot perched in a tree? If you’ve traveled to central Brazil, you may have spotted the beautiful and unique yellow-faced parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops). Measuring approximately 11 inches (27 cm) from head to tail, this vibrant tropical bird stands out with it’s bright yellow head and mottled green-and-yellow body.

The yellow-faced parrot is the only species in the genus Alipiopsitta and is a member of the parrot family Psittacidae. Although it was previously classified as an Amazon parrot in the genus Amazona, research revealed genetic and physical differences that led to it being reclassified on it’s own. It’s genus name Alipiopsitta comes from the Ancient Greek words alipes meaning “winged” and psitta meaning “parrot”.

These medium-sized parrots thrive in dry forests and savanna-like cerrado regions on the Brazilian plateau. Travelers venturing to Emas National Park or other nature reserves may catch a glimpse of them foraging on fruit or seeds. Despite their striking appearance, yellow-faced parrots remain relatively mysterious, only recently becoming the subject of more intensive study.

In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about these charismatic parrots, including:

Details on their taxonomy, history, and physical appearance
Habitat range and current conservation outlook
Feeding behaviors, reproduction, and ecology
The cultural significance of yellow-faced parrots to indigenous groups

Whether you’re planning a birdwatching trip to Brazil or just interested in learning about little-known species, you’ll find the in-depth natural history of Alipiopsitta xanthops covered here. Let’s delve into the captivating world of this yellow-faced tropical parrot!

History and Taxonomy

The yellow-faced parrot has a complex taxonomic history, only recently being classified as the sole member of it’s own genus, Alipiopsitta. Let’s trace the discovery and changing classification of this unique neotropical parrot.

First Discovery and Naming

The first known description of the yellow-faced parrot came from German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix in 1824. Spix encountered the species during his 1817-1820 expedition to Brazil and named it Psittacus xanthops.

The species name xanthops derives from the Ancient Greek words xanthos meaning “yellow” and ops meaning “face”, referring to the bird’s most distinctive feature. It would be known by this original binomial name for over 175 years.

Placement in the Genus Amazona

For most of it’s history, the yellow-faced parrot was considered an Amazon parrot (genus Amazona). Similarities in appearance and behavior likely accounted for this classification within the most diverse extant genus of the parrot family.

Recognition as a Distinct Genus

In 1920, Brazilian zoologist Alípio de Miranda Ribeiro first proposed that the yellow-faced parrot warranted distinction in it’s own unique genus, Salvatoria. However, this change did not gain wider recognition.

Decades later in 1995, professor of zoology Charles Miyaki published a chromosomal study demonstrating genetic differences between the yellow-faced parrot and other Amazona species. This prompted further analysis of physical traits and DNA which revealed the yellow-faced parrot’s closer relationship to other smaller parrot genera.

In 2006, Brazilian ornithologists finally reclassified the species in the genus Alipiopsitta, recognizing it as a distinct branch of the parrot evolutionary tree. The name Alipiopsitta comes from the Ancient Greek alipes meaning “winged” and psitta meaning “parrot”. No subspecies of the yellow-faced parrot have been identified.

Physical Appearance

The yellow-faced parrot is a stocky, medium-sized parrot measuring approximately 11 inches (27 cm) long with a short tail. Their vibrant coloration makes them stand out among other parrot species.

Size and Weight

As members of the tribe Arini (small to medium macaws and conures), yellow-faced parrots are moderate in size compared to larger macaws or small parakeets and lovebirds. Key size and weight statistics include:

Length: roughly 11 inches (27 cm)
Wingspan: estimated at 14-16 inches (36-41 cm)
Weight: around 9 ounces (260 grams)

They have a compact, rounded body shape and relatively short tail. Their strong beak is designed to crack hard nuts and seeds.

Plumage Colors and Markings

Yellow-faced parrots exhibit predominantly green and yellow plumage. Distinctive features include:

Bright yellow forehead, crown, cheeks, and ear coverts
Green nape, back, rump, upper chest, and wings
Yellow and orange mottling on the belly and undertail coverts
Blue edging on some green wing feathers
Green central tail feathers and more yellow-green lateral feathers with red bases

As the name suggests, the prominent splash of bright yellow on the head and face is their most defining feature. The amount of vibrant yellow and orange plumage on the underparts can vary individually from extensive to nearly absent.

Bill, Eyes, Legs

In addition to it’s colorful plumage, the yellow-faced parrot has:

Bill: Yellowish-horn color with a darker culmen and pinkish cere at the base
Eyes: Bright yellow irises
Legs: Light grey legs with zygodactyl toes common to parrots

There is no notable difference in appearance between males and females. Juveniles look similar to adults but with a greener head and less vibrant yellow plumage.

Now that you’re familiar with the yellow-faced parrot’s looks, let’s explore where you can find these tropical birds in the wild!

Habitat and Distribution

The yellow-faced parrot occupies dry forest and savanna-like habitats in inland Brazil, particularly the cerrado region. It’s range extends into bordering areas of Bolivia as well.

Native Range

The species is native to central and eastern Brazil. Their range stretches approximately 1,550 miles (~2,500 km) from the states of:

Maranhão in the northeast
Piauí in the east
Mato Grosso in the west
São Paulo in the south

Within Brazil, yellow-faced parrots predominantly live on the elevated cerrado plateaus at altitudes of 1,000-3,000 feet (300-900 m). This savanna-like tropical grassland with scattered trees offers suitable nesting and feeding opportunities.

Drier caatinga vegetation within Brazil provides marginal habitat. The parrots may also occupy adjacent cultivated land.

Bolivian Range

The yellow-faced parrot’s range extends into northeast Bolivia based on two records from Beni province. It’s status in neighboring Paraguay is unconfirmed despite occasional attribution.

Nomadic Within Native Range

Yellow-faced parrots appear to wander nomadically within their native cerrado habitat. Their movements likely follow the seasonal availability of ripe fruit and nuts.

Unfortunately, extensive agriculture and development across Brazil’s interior has degraded much of the cerrado biome preferred by these tropical parrots. Let’s learn more about their conservation outlook.

Diet and Feeding

The yellow-faced parrot is adapted to take advantage of the seasonal production of fruits, nuts, and seeds in the cerrado biome. Their strong beak allows them to access encased foods.

Native Foods Consumed

The bulk of their natural diet consists of:

Fruit like guava, mango, and the pod-encased seeds of the cashew relative Caryocar brasiliense
Hard nuts from trees like Astronium fraxinifolium
Seeds of native trees including Salacia crassifolia

They use their curved upper bill to pry open fruit and crack hard shells to access the highly nutritious kernels inside.

Crop Raiding

Yellow-faced parrots will opportunistically raid cultivated mangos, guavas, and other fruit crops when available:

They favor sour, unripened guava fruit
Mango trees are attacked when fruit is mature in the dry season
Flocks containing up to 35 birds may descend on orchards and cause extensive damage

Other Food Items

The parrots supplement their diet with:

Termites and other edible insects
Grit like fine gravel and soil
Occasional tree bark and sap

Their strong jaws make it possible to utilize a wide range of foods across seasons.

Next, let’s take a look at how yellow-faced parrots breed and nest to produce the next generation!

Breeding and Reproduction

The breeding behaviors of yellow-faced parrots center around protecting and provisioning the next generation. Their specialized nesting requirements also influence habitat needs.

Nest Sites

Yellow-faced parrots nest in tree cavities with robust insulation and protection, including:

Hollows in live native cerrado trees up to 65 feet (20 meters) high
Holes excavated by woodpeckers
Openings in tall, hardened termite mounds reaching over 16 feet (~5 meters) tall

The callbacks of parrots at a nest may betray it’s well-hidden location. Termitaria with networks of tunnels likely offer shelter for newly fledged chicks.

Clutch Size

The average clutch contains 3 white eggs ranging around:

1.6 inches long by 1.2 inches wide (40.5 x 32 mm)

The female alone incubates the eggs while the male provisions her with foraged foods.

Incubation Period

Incubation lasts 19-22 days before hatching of altricial chicks that require extensive parental care.

Nestling Phase

Chicks fledge at around 45 days old but remain partially dependent on adults for an additional period after leaving the nest.

Synchronizing breeding around seasonal food abundance helps ensure sufficient resources for rearing hungry, growing chicks.

Behavior and Ecology

The behavior and ecology of yellow-faced parrots revolve around exploiting seasonal food resources across their dry forest habitat. They form loud, gregarious flocks that forage efficiently.

Flocking Behavior

Yellow-faced parrots live in small to medium sized flocks, especially outside the breeding season. Key facts about their social structure include:

Flocks range from pairs up to 35+ birds
They travel together when foraging and roost communally
Flocks likely offer protection from predators like hawks
Social dynamics within groups are complex

Peak Foraging Times

Their daily routine revolves around maximizing feeding efficiency:

Most active in early morning through early afternoon
Travel to fruiting trees, crops, or termite eruptions
Afternoon siesta during hottest period
Additional late afternoon feeding
Communal roosting overnight

Interactions with Other Species

Their gregarious nature facilitates information sharing about the location of ripe food sources. Mixed foraging flocks with other parrot species may occur locally.

Roosting Patterns

Preferred roosting sites offer shelter including:

Dense clusters of leaves near trunks and branches
Cavities in trees and termite nests
Potential to excavate soft dead wood

Their survival hinges on effectively exploiting seasonal foods across the landscape. Unfortunately, habitat loss threatens this species existence.

Conservation Status

Habitat loss across Brazil’s cerrado region poses the major threat to yellow-faced parrot populations. However, their ability to utilize some fragmented habitats and cultivated lands enhances their near-term outlook.

IUCN Classification

The IUCN Red List categorizes yellow-faced parrots as Near Threatened based on:

An ongoing moderately rapid population decline
Severe past habitat degradation across their range

Further habitat conversion could necessitate Endangered status in the future.

Population Estimates and Trends

Current population estimates are uncertain but likely number at minimum in the tens of thousands. Specific figures include:

Brazil population previously roughly estimated at 10,000 to 19,000 mature individuals
Bolivia subpopulation likely numbers less than 1,000 birds
Decreasing at a rate of 10-19% over three generations

Major Threats

Over 60% of the Brazilian cerrado has been altered for agriculture and cattle grazing. Additional threats include:

Annual burning degrade dry forests
Invasive grasses that replace native vegetation
Pesticides reduce available insect prey
Capture for the pet trade still occurs despite protections

Protection Efforts

Legal protections aim to preserve habitat and restrict trafficking of the species:

CITES Appendix II listing limits international trade
Occurs in protected areas like Emas National Park
Further reserves across Brazil’s interior needed

Increased preservation of dry forest blocks will offer the best hope for yellow-faced parrot conservation.

Cultural Significance

The vibrant yellow-faced parrot has an important place in the culture of indigenous groups sharing their central Brazilian habitat. Their symbolic meaning likely relates to the sun.

Significance to Native Tribes

Groups like the Krahô people feature stylized versions of the bird’s distinctive colorful head in traditional body paint designs and handicrafts.

As most tribes originally subsisted by hunting, fishing, and harvesting in the cerrado, the seasonal movements of wildlife like yellow-faced parrots marked important times of year. Their appearances on trade routes may have enabled communication between bands.

Meaning and Symbolism

The yellow-faced parrot’s bright golden head and face perhaps reminded indigenous cultures of the sun itself or served as messengers communicating it’s power. Their sudden appearances at waterholes or seasonal camps evoked these connections.

As a creature closely entwined with the abundance of the cerrado through foraging native fruits, nuts, and seeds, yellow-faced parrots likely acquired an association with fertility and prosperity. Their spectacular colors and behaviors enlivened mythology.

Conservation Significance

Preserving the yellow-faced parrot ensures protection of a culturally iconic species holding deep meaning for native peoples. Conservation allows traditional connections between local communities and their habitat to persist.

The bright legacy of this colorful parrot endures as an important heritage of central Brazil’s plains and plateaus.

Conclusion

The one-of-a-kind yellow-faced parrot stands out for it’s vibrant colors and central role in the threatened cerrado habitat. As the sole species of it’s genus, it represents a distinct evolutionary lineage.

Reaching lengths of around 11 inches (27 cm), the parrots exhibit predominantly green and yellow plumage with a bright yellow head as their signature trait. Their high degree of nomadism allows tracking of fruiting trees and termite eruptions across the tropical grasslands and dry forests of inland Brazil. Forming flocks facilitates foraging efficiency and information sharing.

Unfortunately, extensive agricultural incursion and development across the Brazilian interior has degraded their specialized habitat. Most yellow-faced parrot populations are decreasing at concerning rates. However, their adaptability provides hope if sufficient protected reserves can safeguard cerrado vegetation.

The species holds deep cultural meaning for indigenous groups like the Krahô identifying the colorful birds with the sun itself. As inspiration for traditional designs, the yellow-faced parrot remains an icon of central Brazil.

In summary, the future of Alipiopsitta xanthops remains uncertain. Targeted conservation management and habitat protection offer the best chance for the persistence of this charismatic tropical parrot. If good stewardship can preserve intact cerrado, future travelers may still glimpse brilliant yellow-faced parrots winging over Brazil’s plains.