Parrots - In Belize | Belize Budget Suites

Parrots - in Belize

Scarlet Macaw

SCARLET MACAW - Spectacular, huge, and long-tailed parrot, wiped out from most areas by capture for the pet trade; attempts at reintroduction are taking place in some protected areas. Found very locally in lowland rainforest and adjacent semiopen areas with big trees; usually in pairs. Unmistakable, bright scarlet red overall with big yellow wing patches and mostly blue wings and rump. Calls are deep, throaty roars that carry long distances.

Olive-Throated Parakeet

Olive Throated Parakeet

OLIVE THROATED PARAKEET - Parakeets are fairly small parrots, usually with a relatively long and somewhat pointed tail. This species is fairly common in tropical lowlands, mainly in semi-open areas with scattered trees, woodland, locally in towns and suburban areas. Often in small flocks, also in pairs. Note the dirty brownish cast to the breast, and the whitish eyering. In most parts of its range, no other parakeets occur.

Brown-Hooded Parrot

Brown Hooded Parrot

BROWN HOODED PARROT - Medium-sized, rather chunky parrot of humid tropical lowlands. Found in rainforest and edge, where easily overlooked in the canopy, feeding quietly on fruits. Most often seen in fast direct flight, low over the canopy in pairs or small groups. In flight, armpits show brilliant red, but often birds are flying too fast to see this. On perched birds, note the brown head (small red ear patch is rarely visible), pale spectacles, and very pale bill.

White-Crowned Parrot

White Crowned Parrot

WHITE CROWNED PARROT - Medium-size, blue-green parrot of tropical lowlands, mainly in humid forest and forest edge. The big white crown patch and white throat on a bluish head are distinctive; also note the pinkish-red patch under the tail. Often occurs in small flocks, sometimes flying high overhead. Flight style distinctive, with very deep wingbeats, unlike the quicker, shallower wingbeats of White-fronted and Red-lored Parrots, which often occur in same areas.

Yellow-Lored Parrot

Yellow Lored Parrot

YELLOW LORED PARROT - Fairly small parrot of the Yucatan Peninsula, often in the same areas as the rather similar White-fronted Parrot, but the two species do not seem to mix in the same flocks. Found in forest and edge, less often in semi-open areas with scattered trees. Told from White-fronted Parrot by the dark cheek patch, and in flight shows a brighter green lower back than White-fronted. With a good view, note the small yellow face patch (‘lores’) at the bill base.

White-Fronted Parrot

White Fronted Parrot

WHITE FRONTED PARROT - Fairly small parrot of tropical lowlands. Found in semi-open areas with scattered trees, woodland, and forest patches, in both drier and more humid areas. Note the white forehead, red face, and yellowish bill. In flight, males shows a red patch on the leading edge of the wing (on bigger parrots, both sexes have a red patch on the trailing edge of the wing). Lacks the dark cheek patch of Yellow-lored Parrot.

Yellow-Headed Parrot

Yellow Headed Parrot

YELLOW HEADED PARROT - Scarce and local large green parrot of tropical lowland savannas and semiopen areas with forest patches and big trees (but often seen in cages). Like many parrots, usually seen in pairs, not mixing with other species. The head of Mexican birds has extensive yellow (less so on immatures) and the bill is pale. Birds in Belize and Honduras have less yellow on the head. This species is often trapped for the pet trade, which means it has been eliminated from much of its historic range.

Yellow-Naped Parrot

Yellow Naped Parrot

YELLOW NAPED PARROT - Large, green parrot of tropical lowlands, mainly in drier areas. Uncommon. Found in semiopen areas with forest patches, big trees, and forest edges. Most often seen flying overhead early and late in the day, often fairly high and usually in pairs or loose groups made up of pairs. Note the dark gray bill and overall plain head with a bright yellow nape (yellow reduced or lacking on immatures). Like other parrots in the same genus, in flight shows a red patch on the flight feathers.

Red-Lored Parrot

Red Lored Parrot

RED LORED PARROT - Fairly large, bright green parrot of humid tropical lowlands. Fairly common. Found in forest, edge, and semiopen areas with scattered tall trees and forest patches. Most often seen flying overhead early and late in the day, often fairly high and usually in pairs or loose groups made up of pairs. Best field mark is the contrasting yellow cheek patch; also note red forehead. Like other parrots in the same genus, in flight shows a red patch on the flight feathers.

Mealy Parrot

MEALY PARROT - Large, bright green parrot of humid evergreen forest in tropical lowlands. Uncommon. Found in rainforest and adjacent clearings, not in open habitats. Most often seen flying overhead early and late in the day, usually in pairs. Best field mark is the big pale eyering on a fairly plain head; with a good view, the bluish crown can be seen. Like other parrots in the same genus, in flight shows a red patch on the flight feathers.