Nanday Conure

The Nanday Conure, also known as the Black-hooded Parakeet, is native to south-central South America, including parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina, where it favors savanna, palm groves, and marsh-edge habitat. Its solid black head is unusual among green Aratinga-type conures and makes it one of the more easily recognized species in the group.

The head and face are covered in solid black feathers forming a hood that contrasts sharply with the green body, a pattern unmatched by other similarly built conures. A small pale blue patch appears on the upper breast just below the black hood. The rest of the body is green, with red feathering on the thighs adding another spot of contrast low on the body. The tail is long and tapered, green with a blue tip. This combination of black hood, blue breast patch, and red thighs on an otherwise green bird is diagnostic for the species.

Sexes are alike in plumage, with both males and females showing the same black hood, blue breast patch, and red thighs. Juveniles show a duller, less complete black hood and reduced blue breast patch, both of which become fully developed after the first molt.

This species occupies savanna, palm groves, marsh edge, and adjacent open habitat across south-central South America, including parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. It is largely non-migratory, though local movements occur in response to food availability, and escaped populations have also become established in some areas outside its native range.

Nanday Conures feed on seeds, fruit, blossoms, and palm nuts, foraging in flocks that can be large and vocal, particularly around communal roosts. Nests are placed in tree cavities or occasionally in earthen banks. Calls include loud, harsh, repeated screeching notes typical of Aratinga conures, given frequently in flight and at roosting sites.