Depending on the species, the total length range from 22 to 30 cm (8.7 to 11.8 in). All have long, pointed tails, a mainly green plumage, and a relatively narrow, dark greyish to white eye-ring. Many have scaly or barred chest-patterns and a whitish, pale grey, buff or reddish ear-patch.
They typically move around in small, noisy flocks, flying swiftly at or below canopy level. Once settled in a tree they tend to be silent (especially if aware of danger) and difficult to spot. They nest in a tree-crevice.
Some species are popular in aviculture, where they are commonly referred to conures instead of parakeets.[2]
The genus Pyrrhura was introduced in 1856 by the French naturalist Charles Lucien Bonaparte.[3][4] Bonaparte did not specify a type species but this was designated in 1891 by the Italian zoologist Tommaso SalvadoriasPsittacus vittatusShaw, 1811, which has been replaced by Psittacus frontalisVieillot, 1818, the maroon-bellied parakeet.[5][6] The genus name is from the specific epithet of Microsittace pyrrhura Bonaparte, 1854 now Pyrrhura molinaeMassena & Souancé, 1854, the green-cheeked parakeet. The name combines the Ancient Greekpurrhos meaning "flame-coloured" or "red" with -ouros meaning "tail".[7]
The taxonomy of some groups, in particular the Pyrrhura picta and the P. leucotiscomplexes, has changed significantly in recent years. In late 2008 it was proposed that the members of the P. picta complex from north-eastern Peru (the so-called "group 6" in Joseph, 2002) should be considered a new species, the Amazon red-fronted parakeet, P. parvifrons. This has yet to receive widespread recognition (e.g., by SACC), and consequently it is not included in the below list.
Restall, R., C. Rodner, and M. Lentino. (2006). Birds of Northern South America - An Identification Guide.. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN0-7136-7242-0
Ribas, C., L. Joseph, and C. Miyaki (2006). Molecular systematics and patterns of diversification in Pyrrhura (Psittacidae), with special reference to the picta-leucotis complex. Auk 123 (3): 660–680.
