Golden-plumed Parakeet

Leptosittaca branickii

The golden-plumed parakeet (Leptosittaca branickii) is a Neotropical parrot species within the family Psittacidae, belonging to the monotypic genus Leptosittaca. This somewhat Aratinga-like species is found in humid temperate highland forests, especially with Podocarpus, on the east Andean slope in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is generally local and uncommon. It is threatened by habitat loss. Clearing of high altitude forests for agricultural reasons has greatly impacted the loss of habitat for this parakeet species. Existence of such habitats will continue to diminish the amount of Golden-plumed Parakeets left in Southern America. It is the only known parakeet species that can detect ultraviolet radiation.