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Orange-fronted Conure  (Aratinga canicularis)

Also Known As: Orange-fronted Parakeet, Petz's Conure, Half-moon Conure
 
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Curious Orange-fronted Conure

Credit: © Gary Lee
 
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Did You Know?
The Orange-fronted or Half-moon Conure is termitarium breeder, meaning that it nests in termite mounds found up in trees. This species will also nest in abandoned woodpecker holes.

Status in the Wild
World Population:
Not recorded

Range:
A.c. canicularis: Pacific slope of Central America from Chiapas, S Mexico to Honduras and W Costa Rica.
A.c. eburnirostrum: SW Mexico, from eastern Michoacan south to Oaxaca.
A.c. clarae: W Mexico, from Sinaloa south to Colima.


Habitat:
Found up to 1500m (4920 ft) in lightly wooded country or open areas with scattered trees, arid or semi-arid lowlands, including thorn forest and tropical woodland.

Threat Summary:
Trapping for wild bird trade and loss of habitat.

IUCN Rating:
Least concern

Wild Diet:
Feeds on seeds, fruits and flowers. May take maize and banana.

CITES Rating:
Appendix II

Ecology:
Forms flocks of 50 or more after breeding season. Established pairs are easily identifiable within these flocks. Birds adapt readily to partially cleared habitats. Communal roosts are often with White-fronted Amazons in some areas.

Clutch and Egg Size:
3-5 rounded eggs, 22.5 x 19.5mm (0.8 x 0.7 in).

Breeding Season:
March-May, Oaxaca; January-May, El Salvador; dry season, Costa Rica.

Links to Other Project(s):
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1439-0310.2003.00850.x



More Info Sites:
http://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/loras_acg/aratinga.html

http://www.conure.org/aratinga_canicularis.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange-fronted_Parakeet

http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/twright/WrightetalJCompPsych03.pdf