AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Brotogeris jugularis
Orange-chinned Parakeet
(Müller, 1776)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
The Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) is a tiny parakeet with a slender body and a short, pointed tail. Its plumage is almost entirely a bright and vibrant light green, allowing it to camouflage perfectly in the foliage. Its diagnostic feature, though sometimes hard to see from a distance, is a small, bright intense orange spot just below the bill, on the chin (jugular area). Additionally, it has a bronze or olive-brown patch on the shoulders. When it takes flight, it displays a beautiful bright yellow under the wings (underwing coverts) that contrasts with its bluish flight feathers. It has a strong, hooked pale flesh-colored bill and a bare white eye-ring.
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Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Psittaciformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Psittacidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Brotogeris
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Müller, 1776)
Record Completeness
95%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Dry Season
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It is a highly adaptable bird to semi-open and disturbed environments. It prefers forest edges, tropical dry forest, wooded savannas, agricultural areas, and scrublands. It is a frequent and dominant visitor in urban areas, colonizing squares, parks, and gardens with large fruit trees. In Costa Rica, it is ubiquitous and enormously abundant throughout the Pacific slope and the Central Valley, but tends to avoid the dark depths of the very dense rainforests of the Caribbean.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a highly gregarious and diurnal bird. The noise of a flock feeding in a fig, mango, or balsa tree is deafening; they chatter incessantly with high-pitched, sharp chirps (like 'chree-chree-chree!'). They spend the hot hours sheltered in the foliage, where their green color makes them almost invisible. They are very affectionate with each other (allopreening behavior), mutually preening the feathers on their heads to strengthen social and pair bonds within the flock.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Highly social. They sleep in tightly packed communal roosts and fly, feed, and rest in compact, noisy flocks that can range from 10 to over 100 individuals, depending on food availability.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Herbivore / Canopy Frugivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Herbivore (Frugivore / Granivore / Nectarivore). Its diet is broad: they consume fleshy fruits (ficus, mangos, nances), weed seeds, flowers, and nectar. They are frequent prey for small forest hawks (like Accipiter striatus), bat falcons, owls, and constrictor snakes that raid their nests or roosts.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
They are monogamous birds. To nest, they do not collect branches; they strictly depend on existing cavities (old woodpecker holes in dead trunks) or excavate their own nests in arboreal termite mounds. The female lays 4 to 6 white eggs. Incubation is performed almost entirely by the female for about 21 to 25 days, while the male stands guard nearby and feeds her by regurgitation. The chicks are altricial (born blind and featherless) and are devotedly cared for in the dark tunnel until they fledge and fly out, around 6 weeks after hatching.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
17.0 - 20.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
50 g - 65 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.4 - 6
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
12 - 24 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
21 - 25
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males10 - 15 Years
Females10 - 15 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Termitarium Nesting: In the absence of natural tree cavities, Orange-chinned parakeets have the remarkable ability to excavate their own nests inside arboreal termite mounds. They use their strong bills to tunnel into the carton of the termitarium, creating a warm, waterproofed chamber for their eggs.
Brush-like Tongue and Nectar Foraging: Although they are parrots, in the dry season they behave almost like large hummingbirds. They are agile acrobats capable of hanging upside down from the thinnest branches to access tubular flowers (like Erythrina or Balsa), using their tongue to lick nectar and pollen without destroying the flower.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Illegal Trafficking and Pet Trade: Their gregarious nature, small size, and docility make them an easy and constant target for nest poaching. They are captured massively to be sold as cheap pets locally and regionally.
Agrochemical Use: By foraging frequently in orchards and crops (like sunflower or sorghum fields), entire flocks can be lethally poisoned by the intensive use of pesticides.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Bullet Flight: When a flock decides to change trees, they do not glide or fly in a relaxed manner. They dive to gain speed and then fly low over the trees in a very tight, fast formation, zigzagging erratically as a single organism to dodge aerial predators.
The Name 'Zapoyol': In Costa Rica and other parts of Central America, they are colloquially called 'Zapoyolito' or 'Zapoyol'. This word comes from the Nahuatl 'tzapoyotl', which is the sapote seed. They are called this because the parakeet's size and plump shape resemble the large seed of this tropical fruit.