Fun Austral Parakeet Facts For Kids

One of the Patagonian birds, inhabiting the extreme south of South America, is the austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, or Microsittace ferrugineus. The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is also called emerald parakeet, austral conure, or Magellan parakeet. It is known with different names in different languages, for instance, cotorra cachaña in Spanish, smaragdsittich in German, and conure magellanique or perruche magellanique in French. It is one of the few parrots found on the southern tip of South America along with the slender-billed conure.

The austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) has two subspecies: Enicognathus ferrugineus ferrugineus, found in forests in the extreme south of Chile, and southern Argentina, and Enicognathus ferrugineus minor or Chilean conure, living in southern parts of Chile, and the Andes, Argentina.

The species of parrots from the genus Enicognathus are social birds recorded to live mostly near sea level at the northern end of their range in flocks of 10-15 individuals. The species of a parakeet (austral) range from farmlands to villages with taller trees. They often build nests while own abandoned nests found in cavities in trees. Grass, bamboo seed, nut, and small fruit are considered the parakeet's primary food. The austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) is a green parrot while the lores, forehead, eyes, and bill are dull red in color.

If the uniqueness of the austral parakeet makes you interested to read more about similar species, you can read about palm warbler and great green macaw.
 

What type of animal is an austral parakeet?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is a Patagonian bird, inhabiting the southern tip of the world. It is called cotorra cachaña in Spanish, smaragdsittich in German, conure magellanique, or perruche magellanique in French and has distinctive names in other languages. Also, the species of parakeet is often called an emerald parakeet, austral conure, or Magellan parakeet, while the scientific name recorded is Enicognathus ferrugineus or Microsittace ferrugineus.

What class of animal does an austral parakeet belong to?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, belongs to the class Aves, order Psittaciformes, and genus Enicognathus. It is one of the Patagonian birds that range in the south of the world around Chile, Argentina, and few more South American countries.

How many austral parakeets are there in the world?

While there are 115 species of seed-eating parrot or parakeet in the world, the population distribution range of the austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is not computed. There are numerous flocks comprising 10-15 individuals of an austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) in the north of its range. Furthermore, the species of austral parakeet from the genus Enicognathus are listed as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Where does an austral parakeet live?

The distribution of the austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, lives in the extreme south of the world, precisely South America. The austral parakeet location is endemic to Chile and southern Argentina. The Chilean conure (Enicognathus ferrugineus minor) is well researched compared to the austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus ferrugineus). The subspecies (Chilean conure) inhabit southwest Argentina and Chile, mainly concentrating in the north.

What is an austral parakeet's habitat?

The austral parakeet, Enicoganthus ferrugineus, is found living in wooded regions of the country, often farmland and shrubland. Also, the parrots are fairly common in temperate forests in the north. While the species of parrot mostly reside near sea level, it often migrates to the northern parts of its habitat. Also, a symbiotic relationship is studied between the austral parakeet and Araucaria tree.

Who do austral parakeets live with?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is a peaceful and social conure. It is mostly sighted in flocks comprising 10-15 individuals of species of this bird. Moreover, there are flocks of the austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) recorded with over 100 birds in the world. The austral conure is also recorded to live with species of slender-billed conure at the sea level of the country in the world.

How long does an austral parakeet live?

The austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) or austral conure is speculated to live a considerably long life like all the species of parrots. The expected life span ranges up to more than 30 years, while the estimated life span is not documented so far. On the contrary, a pink cockatoo is recorded to be the longest living bird in the world, living for over 80 years.

How do they reproduce?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, attain sexual maturity at two years of age. The birds are monomorphic, i.e. the existence of one phenotype bird, and oviparous, i.e. species of birds laying eggs. While the austral parakeet mating habits remain poorly studied, the breeding season ranges from November to December. The breeding of the conure is mostly recorded in the austral parakeet nesting box in the cavities of the tree.  The eggs laid by the austral parakeet in the nest hatch within 26 days and nestlings are born. On the other, the clutch size of the Chilean conure is smaller in size compared to the austral conure. The Chilean species of bird lays up to two to six eggs.

What is their conservation status?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is listed as the Least Concern species under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The austral conure is at no risk except when it comes to the austral parakeet predators which are large parrots like the macaw. Also, the austral parakeet conservation and management authorities speculated a symbiotic relationship shared between the austral parakeet-Araucaria tree.

What do austral parakeets look like?

The austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) has a dull green plumage with dusky tips. Its crown inherits a blue tint while the tips of its feathers are gray-black. The forehead, lores, bill, and the upper-tail are red-brown in color. Also, a red patch on its belly is another distinctive characteristic documented in its description. Furthermore, the beak of the parrot is recorded to be gray in color.

How cute are they?

The green austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) is a cute adorable parrot. The birds nesting in the cavity of the tree is another pleasure sight to behold.

How do they communicate?

Parrots are known to talk and mimic humans. While the communication mechanism of the austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is not documented, there are various speculations about the bird.

How big is an austral parakeet?

The austral parakeet size ranges between a considerable length of 13-13.7 in (33-35 cm). The austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) is 10 times smaller than an ostrich, the biggest bird recorded so far.

How fast can an austral parakeet fly?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is speculated to be a capable flier, but its speed remains undeciphered.

How much does an austral parakeet weigh?

The austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) weighs up to 4.9 oz (139 g). It is almost 30 times lighter than the heaviest species of parrots, the kakapo, which weighs up to 9 lb (4 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is monomorphic with no sex-specific names.

What would you call a baby austral parakeet?

The baby of austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, like other species of bird, is called a nestling, hatchling, fledging, or chick.

What do they eat?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, eats seeds, grasses, nuts, and small fruits. The documentations about the austral parakeet feeding highlights the bird to be herbivore in nature with seed, fruit, and nut being its primary food.

Are they rare?

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is quite rare other than the southern part. On the other hand, the austral parakeet is pretty common in Chile, Argentina, and the extreme south of South America.

Would they make a good pet?

The bird, primarily consuming seeds, grasses, and fruits, is one of the ideal species petted around the world. The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is a social and peaceful pet attracting humans. Mostly a pair of the austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) is taken as pets in a spacious cage ensuring easy movements and small flights. On the contrary, it is advised not to cage the wild bird for fun and amusement and rather are better-kept free.

Did you know...

The austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, is an active social bird. It is a noisy yet peaceful bird. The conure loves to climb and is a playful species of bird.

It has two subspecies: Enicognathus ferrugineus ferrugineus and Enicognathus ferrugineus minor.

The species of the austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus, are not Endangered. Rather are categorized as Least Concern species of bird with the population at no major risk.

The parakeet has a warmer body temperature compared to humans. The normal temperature of the bird varies between 102-112 F (39-44.4 C).

The parakeet's heart rate is recorded to be as fast as 274 beats per minute while resting. On the other hand, the birds respirate with 60-70 breaths per minute.

Parakeets are native to Australia, wherein they are also called budgerigars or budgies.

Why are they called austral parakeets?

While there is no specific reason speculated for the species being called an austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus), it has several names around the world, like, Enicognathus ferrugineus, Microsittace ferrugineus, emerald parakeet, austral conure, Magellan parakeet, cotorra cachaña, smaragdsittich, conure magellanique, and perruche magellanique.

Do parakeets kill other birds?

No, parakeets are herbivores with seeds, nuts, and fruits as their primary food. The bird does not kill or harm any other species of birds.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these palm cockatoo facts and amazon parrot facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable austral parakeet coloring pages.