The Story
This Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus) was at Reserva Natural La Palmita in Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia when I photographed it. The Spectacled Parrotlet lives in small flocks, but up to 100 may gather at clay licks. The female incubates while the male guards the nest and feeds her and, later, the chicks. It typically breeds between January and March. It is not found above about 1,600 meters. La Palmita’s research center has recorded 250 bird species and 39 bat species in the flooded savannas of Trinidad. IUCN lists the Spectacled Parrotlet as Least Concern, with a decreasing population.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100. La Palmita conserves its flooded savannas through its cattle ranching and has welcomed visitors since 2013, so every stay supports sustainable tourism in the region.
©2019 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus) belongs to the family Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2021), with the population trend listed as decreasing. Source: IUCN Red List
