Grey-breasted Parakeet
Encyclopedia
The Grey-breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus) is a species of parrot
in the family
Psittacidae. It is endemic to Ceará
in north-eastern Brazil
and restricted to a few mountains with relatively humid forest and woodland in a region otherwise dominated by arid Caatinga
.
Until recently, it was considered a subspecies
of the White-eared Parakeet
, as Pyrrhura leucotis griseipectus. The split was based on their widely disjunct distribution
s, differences in measurement of bill, and subtle differences in colour of crown, ear-coverts and chest. A recent study based on mtDNA has failed to confirm the status of the Grey-breasted Parakeet as a species distinct from the White-eared Parakeet, while confirming the species status of Pfrimer's Parakeet
.
This parrot is classified as Critically Endangered
by BirdLife International
. It has an extremely small population and occupies a very small known range. The population is estimated to be less than 250 adult birds.
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Psittacidae. It is endemic to Ceará
Ceará
Ceará is one of the 27 states of Brazil, located in the northeastern part of the country, on the Atlantic coast. It is currently the 8th largest Brazilian State by population and the 17th by area. It is also one of the main touristic destinations in Brazil. The state capital is the city of...
in north-eastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and restricted to a few mountains with relatively humid forest and woodland in a region otherwise dominated by arid Caatinga
Caatinga
Caatinga is a type of vegetation, and an ecoregion characterized by this vegetation in the northeastern part of Brazil. The name "Caatinga" is a Tupi word meaning "white forest" or "white vegetation"...
.
Until recently, it was considered a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the White-eared Parakeet
White-eared Parakeet
The White-eared Parakeet or Maroon-faced Parakeet is a small parrot belonging to the genus Pyrrhura. As here defined, it is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil...
, as Pyrrhura leucotis griseipectus. The split was based on their widely disjunct distribution
Disjunct distribution
In biology, a taxon with a disjunct distribution is one that has two or more groups that are related but widely separated from each other geographically...
s, differences in measurement of bill, and subtle differences in colour of crown, ear-coverts and chest. A recent study based on mtDNA has failed to confirm the status of the Grey-breasted Parakeet as a species distinct from the White-eared Parakeet, while confirming the species status of Pfrimer's Parakeet
Pfrimer's Parakeet
The Pfrimer's Parakeet , in aviculture also known as Pfrimer's Conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to Goiás and Tocantins in Brazil. It is restricted to deciduous and semi-deciduous Caatinga forest.It has often been considered a subspecies of the White-eared...
.
This parrot is classified as Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. Critically Endangered means that a species' numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by 80% within three generations....
by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
. It has an extremely small population and occupies a very small known range. The population is estimated to be less than 250 adult birds.
External links
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- South American Classification Committee: Treat Pyrrhura griseipectus and P. pfrimeri as distinct species from Pyrrhura leucotis.
- Ribas, C. C., L. Joseph, C. Y. Miyaki (2006). Molecular systematics and patterns of diversification in Pyrrhura (Psittacidae), with special reference to the picta-leucotis complex. The Auk 123(3): 660-680.