Pyrrhura melanura (Spix 1824)

Maroon-tailed Conure

1. Pyrrhura m. melanura (Spix 1824)

Maroon-tailed Conure

German: Schwarzschwanzsittich

Description: general plumage green; small stripes above bill reddish-brown; remainder of forehead, crown, back of head and nape dark brown, each feather edged with green; sides of neck, throat and upper breast green, each feather edged with greyish-dull yellow; primary-coverts red, each feather with pale-yellow tip; outer webs of blue primaries with narrow green edging; tail upper reddish-brown with green base; underside blackish-grey; skin to periophthalmic ring whitish; iris dark brown; feet grey; bill grey.

Immatures as adults, but with primary-coverts partly green; edging on breast smaller.

Length: 24 cm (9.5 ins) (wing 125 - 135 mm or 4.92 - 5.31 ins)

Distribution: northeast Peru, northwest Amazon (Brazil), southernmost Venezuela as well as most eastern and southern areas of Colombia.

2. Pyrrhura m. souancei (Verreaux 1858)

Souancé's Conure

German: Souancé-Schwarzschwanzsittich.

Description: as melanura, but red primary-coverts without yellow tips; wing edge red; abdomen variably tinged brownish-red; green base to tail more extensive in immatures than nominate form.

Length: 24 cm (9.5 ins) (wing 128 - 137 mm or 5.04 - 5.39 ins)

Distribution: east of Andes in Meta and Caquet , Colombia, as well as eastern Ecuador and northern Peru.

3. Pyrrhura m. berlepschi Salvadori 1891

Berlepsch's Conure

German: Berlepsch-Sittich

Description: as souancei, but forehead and front of crown without green edging; sides of neck, throat, upper breast and front of cheeks with very broad edging to feathers; ear-coverts brighter green with olive tinge; brownish-red on abdomen more pronounced; bend of wing with scattering of single red feathers.

Length: 24 cm (9.5 ins)(wing 132 - 137 mm or 5.20 - 5.39 ins)

Distribution: Huallaga River valley, eastern Peru; possibly along entire Andean slopes in eastern Peru and east Colombia.

4. Pyrrhura m. pacifica Chapman 1915

Pacific Black-tailed Conure

German: Pazifik-Schwarzschwanzsittich

Description: as melanura, but with green forehead; primary-coverts without yellow tips; wing edge red; edging to breast very narrow and brownish-white; upperside of tail more reddish; tail shorter; skin to periophthalmic ring blackish.

Length: 23 cm (9 ins)(wing 124 - 139 mm or 4.88 - 5.47 ins)

Distribution: western slopes of Andes in northwest Ecuador and Nari¤o, southwest Colombia.

5. Pyrrhura m. chapmani Bond and Meyer de Schauensee 1940

Chapman's Conure

German: Chapman-Sittich

Description: as souancei, but forehead and crown dark brown and without green edging; throat, breast and nape dark brown, each feather broadly edged brownish-white; primary-coverts green, some red; abdomen more pronounced brownish-red to marking; green marking to base of tail upperside narrower; generally larger.

Length: 26 cm (10 ins)(wing 132 - 147 mm or 5.20 - 5.79 ins)

Distribution: sub-tropical zone between 1,600 m (4,800 ft) and 2,800 m (8,400 ft) on eastern slopes of Magdalena River valley as well as in Huila and south Tolima, south Colombia.

Habitat: rainforest and wooded foothills of Andes between 150 m (450 ft) and 1,400 m (4,200 ft); pacifica and chapmani in fairly high cloud forest as well as secondary vegetation and partially cleared areas.

Status: common throughout; berlepschi possibly more rare.

Habits: in flocks of up to 35 birds outside breeding season; prefers middle and upper storeys of trees; enjoys swinging in branches; conspicuous because noisy; if alarmed initially freezes; flies close to ground in open areas, but seldom comes on ground.

Natural diet: seeds, fruits, berries, nuts and flowers; chews bark of trees.

Breeding behaviour: breeding season February to June; observed treading in early morning in January; no further details known.

Aviculture: quiet bird only seldom loud; newly imported birds shy; only becomes confiding slowly; pairs stay close together; groom each other often and intensively; colony system in large aviary possible even during breeding season; hardy once acclimatised; chews little, enjoys bathing.

Accommodation: aviary at least 3 x 1 x 2 m (9 x 3 x 6 ft); protect from frost in winter with nest box 20 x 20 x 70 cm (8 x 8 x 28 ins); provide outside breeding season as well.

Diet: seed mix of safflower, oats; some sunflower (also sprouted) hemp, buckwheat, millet, canary seed and rowan berries; millet spray; plenty of fruit, vegetables and greenfood; regular supply of branches with fresh flowers and buds; vtamin and mineral supplements.

Breeding in aviculture: not achieved regularly; many pairs do not come into breeding condition; breeds throughout year; clutch 4 to 5 eggs; often one or two eggs are infertile; incubation 23 days; fledging period 50 days; also breeds in communal aviary, although not recommended as pairs can disturb each other; two breedings a year possible.