>>Species Information
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In 1952, L.P. Luke wrote in Lovebirds and Parrotlets, "Parrotlets are the South American counterpart of the African Lovebirds, from which they may be distinguished by their inferior size and the absence of the sub-terminal band of tail markings." He continues, "As a race they are decidedly spiteful, and where several are confined together irascible individuals need to be carefully watched. They do not stand close confinement very well, for they are exceedingly active birds and swift on the wing."

A cousin of the Amazon, parrotlets are the smallest true parrots. They are amazingly intelligent and energetic, and their sometimes cocky personalities contradict their small size. They are the Yorkshire Terrier of the bird world, ready to take on anything, never for a moment doubting their own superiority.

There are 7 species in the Forpus genus of Parrotlets, ranging in size from 12 to 14.5cm in length. All are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females can be distinguished visually, and they have a lifespan of approximately 20 years. (Various publishings state a wide range in lifepspan years. Parrotlets have only been kept in captivity around 20 years so the lifespan in the wild cannot be compared to the lifespan for captive bred or kept.)

Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis)

Also known as Celestial Parrotlet or Lesson's Parrotlet
Distribution: Pacific side of Andes from West Ecuador to Northwestern Peru.
Length: 12-13 cm
Subspecies: F. c. lucida
Description: Forpus coelestis coelestis:: The male is green with cobalt blue flight feathers and a narrow blue streak that runs from the eyes to the back of the neck. The female lacks the blue under the wings, and has a lighter blue (mostly blue/green) streak running from the eyes towards the back of the neck, but is not the length or width of the male streak. Both have blue rumps, but the blue rump on the female is not as dark or defined as the male. Their eyes are dark brown, beak is flesh-pink, legs are pale pink, and the tail is very short.

Forpus coelestis lucida: The lucida Pacific parrotlet has most of the same characteristics and colors as the nominate (F.c. coelestis), except as noted: although mainly green, lucida males and females both have blue color on the underside of their wings and on their rump. The males' blue coloring on the rump is dark cobalt blue and the blue markings around the eye are darker than the female, which is similar to a male Pacific (nominate). Also, both male and female have a gray wash over the green coloring on the wings, and the male's underside also carries a grey wash.

Green-Rumped Parrotlet (Forpus passerinus)

Also known as Common Parrotlet or Guiana Parrotlet.
Distribution: Trinidad and Guianas to northern Columbia.
Length: 12cm
Subspecies:
F.p. viridissimus (Venezuelan Green Parrotlet)
F.p. cyanophanes (Rio Hacha Parrotlet)
F.p. cyanochlorus (Schlegel's Parrotlet)
F.p. deliciosus (Delicate Parrotlet, Santarem Passerine Parrotlet)
Description: Forpus passerinus passerinus: The male is green with a brighter green at the forehead and cheeks, underside of the body and behind the neck. Lower back, rump and upper tail are bright emerald green. Underside of wings and edge of wing are blue. Females are the same as males, but lacking any blue. They may have more yellowish colorings on forehead. Green-Rumped Parrotlets have a sleek body (feathers held tight), their eyes are dark brown, and their legs are a pale pink.

Forpus passerinus viridissimus: Like F.P. Passerinus, but the male has paler blue markings. The green plumage on both males and females varies significantly based on what region they are from.

Forpus passerinus deliciosus: Like F.P. Passerinus, but the male has an emerald green rump with bluish tinge and broad pale blue edging on the greater wing coverts. Female has more yellow throughout and a deeper yellow facial area.

Forpus passerinus cyanochlorus: Like F.P. Passerinus, but the female's tail feathers are more green on the underside. Also has more yellow throughout and a green forehead.

Forpus passerinus cyanophanes: Like F.P. Passerinus. Male's blue wing-markings are more violet, and show more blue when wing is closed than in the other subspecies.

Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus)

Distribution: Eastern Panama, Colombia and Western Venezuela.
Length: 12-13cm
Subspecies: F.c. caucae, F.c. metae

Description: The male is emerald green with lighter green and some yellow-green underneath. Blue ring around eye, wing coverts and rump are cobalt to violet blue, with underside of flight feathers bluish green. The female is bright green, with emerald green around eyes, forehead and rump. She will have more yellow on the forehead and underneath than the male. Eyes are gray-brown, legs are light pink to light brown.

Blue Winged Parrotlet (Forpus vividus, formerly xanthopterygius)

Photos courtesy of Brian Nielsen

Distribution: Argentina to northwestern Columbia.
Length: 12 cm
Subspecies: F.v. flavissimus, F.v. flavescens, F.v. olallae, F.v. crassirostris, F.v. spengeli

Description: Male has green to violet-blue on upper and under wing coverts, lower back, and rump. There is no blue in the eye area--it is bright emerald green. Females difficult to distinguish from other species though there is information that their underside has more yellow. Eyes are dark brown, legs are gray. Blue-Winged Parrotlets can weigh 35-40 grams. Not commonly kept as pets due to their reputation of being high-strung.

Mexican Parrotlet - Forpus cyanopygius

Also known as Turquoise-rumped Parrotlet
Distribution: Northwestern Mexico.
Size: 13cm, 40g

Subspecies:
F.c. insularis (Grayson's parrotlet, Tres Marias Parrotlet)
F.c. pallidus (Sonora Parrotlet)

Description: This is one of the largest (stockiest) Parrotlets being bred in the United States, and they are available only from a few select breeders. A breeding cooperative has been established.

The Mexican Parrotlet is slow to breed and only produces a few eggs a year once they have begun - which could take years. They are also confused with the Blue-wing Parrotlet and some variations are still under investigation.

Forpus cyanopygius cyanopygius: Males are green with turquoise-blue under-wing coverts, lower back and rump, upper tail feathers and shoulder feathers. Primary coverts, secondaries and greater wing-coverts are pale blue. The underside of the tail and flight feathers are bluish green. Females are mainly green, but where the male has blue markings the female has yellow-green. Eyes are dark brown, legs are pink or gray, bill is whitish with a grey tinge.

Forpus cyanopygius insularis: Male is like F.c. cyanopygius but blue markings are darker; face and throat yellowish green; back, wing-coverts and tail are dark green with a slight greyish tinge; underside pale bluish green. Beak is lead-colored with a horn-colored tip. Female like F.c. cyanopygius but slightly darker all over.

Forpus cyanopygius pallidius: Male is like F.c. cyanopygius but paler overall and less yellowish. Back of head and wings is green with a slight grey tinge. The female is also paler than F.c. cyanopygius.

More information on this species is located here: http://www.ejphoto.com/mexican_parrotlet_page.htm

Yellow-Faced Parrotlet - Forpus xanthops

Distribution: Peru.
Length: 14.5cm

Description: Light green-yellow with face, throat, and forehead bright yellow. Males have cobalt blue on rump and wings as in other species. They have brown eyes and flesh to pink colored legs.

Yellow-faced Parrotlets are known by some American breeders to be a variety of the Pacific Parrotlet. Some European breeders believe them to be a species by themselves. The reference materials vary.

Sclater's - Forpus

This is a photo of a Sclaters that was owned by a prominent American breeder dcuring the 80's. These birds were being domestically bred in Brazil at this time. Curent import bans within Brazil prohibit the importation of these birds. There are no known birds of this species in America. This photo appeared in Forpus Fanciers.