The Story
I photographed this Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus) at Finca Ecoturística San Javier, in the vereda Chucuní near Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia. These small parrots feed on seeds, nuts, leaves, berries and fruit, and occasionally on small insects. They nest in tree cavities or similar spots and typically breed between January and March. The species prefers open country to dense forest. IUCN lists it as Least Concern. It is not found above about 1,600 meters. The male’s brighter color and his calls help attract a female.
I photographed it with a Canon R5 and the RF 800mm f/11 plus the RF 1.4x extender, at 1/1000 sec, f/16, ISO 1600. Finca San Javier offers guided birding as part of its work to help conserve the tropical dry forest of the Chucuní area.
©2022 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