Jandaya parakeet

Jandaya parakeet
File:Aratinga Jandaya -in tree-8.jpg
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Superfamily:	Psittacoidea
Family:	Psittacidae
Subfamily:	Arinae
Tribe:	Arini
Genus:	Aratinga Ridgway, 1916
Species:	A. jandaya
Binomial name
Aratinga jandaya (Gmelin, 1788)
Synonyms
Psittacus jandaya Conurus jandaya

The jandaya parakeet or jenday conure (Aratinga jandaya) is a small Neotropical parrot with green wings and tail, reddish-orange body, yellow head and neck, orange cheeks and black bill native to wooded habitats in northeastern Brazil. It is a member of the Aratinga solstitialis complex of parakeets very closely related to, and possibly subspecies of sun parakeet.

The bird has a wide range but is locally rare in the wild; they are common in aviculture where they are known as "jenday conures".

Taxonomy

The first description of a bird called "jendaya" was by German naturalist, Georg Marcgraf, during his 1638 expedition through Dutch Brazil. It was first classified by German naturalist Johann Gmelin as Psittacus jandaya in his Systema Naturae, 1788, based on Psittacula brasiliensis lutea of Brisson,1760; "jandaya" of Ray,1676; and "yellow-headed parrot" of Latham, 1781. In 1916, American ornithologist Robert Ridgway reclassified the 21-22 species of neotropical parakeets in genus Conurus into four genera, placing jandaya into the genus Aratinga.

The specific name was derived from: Aratinga: "bright macaw" from Ará - Old Tupi, big noisy bird (macaw) + tinga - Old Tupi, bright. jandaya(originally jandaia): Old Tupi, small parrot (conure).

Jandaya is a member of the Aratinga solstitialis complex of parakeets very closely related to, and possibly subspecies of, the sun parakeet in genus Aratinga of smaller parakeets, one of numerous genera of New World long-tailed parrots in tribe Arini, which also includes the Central and South American macaws. Tribe Arini together with the Amazonian parrots and a few miscellaneous genera make up subfamily Arinae of Neotropical parrots in family Psittacidae of true parrots.

Ornithologist Thomas Arndt lists this bird as a subspecies of golden-capped parakeet.

The taxonomy of this and related species and genera has been problematical; more information may be found under Aratinga and Sun conure#Taxonomy.

Based on size, morphology and plumage, this species is believed to be a close living relative of the extinct Carolina parakeet, possibly the closest, though that has not been confirmed by molecular phylogenetics which found the nanday parakeet to be the Carolina parakeet's closest living relative among the species tested. The plumage of this bird, is very close to that of the Carolina's and can be distinguished from the Carolina parakeet by having a yellow neck and shoulders, and a black beak instead of a buff-colored beak as the Carolina parakeet has.

An earlier molecular study found jandaya's closest relative to be the golden parakeet.

Description

The jandaya parakeet is a small long-tailed parakeet with reddish orange body, green wings, vent and tail, yellow head, neck, and shoulders, orange cheeks, black bill, whitish periophthalmic ring and dark eyes. The ends of the tail feathers are tinged in blue. It measures 30 cm (12 in) in length and weighs 125-140gm

The jandaya parakeet has a very loud, shrill call.

Distribution and habitat

It has an extremely large range in northeastern Brazil in the states of Piaui, Maranhao, Tocantins and Ceara, and portions of Pará. It is found in lowland deciduous woodland and palm groves.

Behavior and diet

In the wild it has a predilection for various fruits including mango and cashew apples as well as palm nuts, and an unfortunate attraction to plants cultivated by humans (rice, maize, members of the family Annonaceae, etc.).

Jandaya parakeets nest in tree hollows, typically choosing a location at least 15 m (50 feet) from the ground. In captivity, the hen lays 3–6 eggs, which she will then incubate for approximately 26 days. The young are fed by both parents and fledge after two months.

File:Aratinga jandaya and solstitialis.jpg

Two jenday conures (center) and one sun conure (right) at Kobe Kachoen, Japan

Conservation and threats

The species is listed as least concern by IUCN. It is listed on CITES Appendix II. It is protected under Brazil Wildlife Protection Act (1967), export and trade forbidden. The global population has not been quantified, but the bird was described as "rare" in two field surveys in 1996 and 2007, in parts of its former range.

Aviculture

This bird is sometimes called rather colloquially, yellow-headed conure or flaming conure.

The jandaya parakeet can live up to 30 years in captivity. Like many of the parakeet species commonly kept as companion parrots, jandaya parakeets are known for their intelligence and can be trained to perform pet-like behaviors. These small parrots can often learn to mimic sounds including words and even phrases.

Jandaya parakeets are social and generally stay in flocks. They are very loud and call to each other frequently. A diet that consists of a variety of seeds, fresh fruits, and small nuts. Things that are toxic to jandaya parakeets include chocolate, caffeine and a chemical often found in avocados.