Green-cheeked Conure

The Green-cheeked Conure inhabits humid and dry forest across parts of central South America, including Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. It is one of the smaller Pyrrhura conures, a genus generally distinguished by more subdued coloration and finely barred breast feathers compared with the brighter Aratinga conures.

Body feathers are green overall, with a grey-brown crown and nape and green cheeks that give the species its name. The breast shows a faint grey-brown scalloped or barred pattern grading into green on the belly, subtler than the bold scalloping of the Monk Parakeet. The flight feathers are blue-tinged, and the tail is notably long relative to body size and colored a deep maroon-red, especially visible from below or when spread. This maroon tail against an otherwise green, grey-crowned bird is a key identifying combination among small Pyrrhura conures.

Sexes are alike in plumage, with no reliable external difference between males and females. Juveniles are duller with less defined grey scalloping on the breast and a browner tail that deepens to full maroon with maturity after the first molt.

This species occupies humid and dry forest, including forest edge and secondary growth, across parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, and central Brazil. It is largely non-migratory, remaining within forested territories, with flocks moving locally in response to fruiting trees.

Green-cheeked Conures feed on fruit, seeds, and blossoms, foraging in small flocks within the forest canopy and edge. Nests are placed in tree cavities. Calls include short, sharp chattering notes, generally less harsh and lower in volume than the calls of larger Aratinga conures, given while foraging and in flight.