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Species Identification

Overview of Species

Parrotlets are one of the smallest known parrots, with attitudes of their larger counterparts. Parrotlets are amazing, intelligent, adaptable, and energetic. It has been reported that they are most closely related to the amazon parrot, with an average life-span of up to or more than 20 years. Sexual dimorphism (visual identification of male vs. female) is obvious in all varieties.

Detailed information and pictures on each variety can be found by using the menu on the left. The following is an outline of each species and their related subspecies.

Forpus coelestis
Common name: pacific
Other names: celestial, Lesson's parrot
Variations: F.c. lucida

Forpus passerinus
Common names: green-rumped
Other names: common parrotlet, Guiana parrotlet
Variations: F.p. viridissimus, F.p. cyanophanes, F.p. cyanochlorus, and F.p. deliciosus

Forpus vividus - formerly xanthopterygius
Common name: blue-winged
Variations: F.c. flavissimus, F.c. flavescens, F.x. olallae, F.c. crassirostris, F.c. spengeli

Forpus conspicillatus
Common name: spectacled
Variations: F.c. caucae, F.c. metae

Forpus cyanopygius
Common Name: Mexican
Other Names: Turquoise-rumped Parrotlet, Sonora Parrotlet (F. c. pallidus), Tres Marias or Grayson's Parrotlet (F c. insularis)
Variations: F.c. insularia, F.c. pallidus (under investigation)

Forpus xanthops
Common name: yellow-faced

Forpus sclateri
Common Name: Dusky-billed or Sclater's parrotlet
Other Names: Sclater's Parrotlet, Schomburgh's Parrotlet.
Variation: F.c. eidos