The maroon-bellied parakeet (Pyrrhura frontalis) is a small parrot found from southeastern Brazil to north-eastern Argentina, including eastern Paraguay and Uruguay. It is also known as the reddish-bellied parakeet, and in aviculture it is usually referred to as the maroon-bellied conure, reddish-bellied conure or brown-eared conure.
The maroon-bellied parakeet is common in woodland, and forest edges. In the northern part of its range, it mainly lives in highlands up to 1,400. Flock size is usually only 6-12 individuals, but up to 40. As other members of the genus Pyrrhura, it primarily feeds on fruits, flowers, and similar plant matter.
These birds range from 25 to 28 cm, and are primarily green, with a maroon patch on the belly, a “scaly” yellow-green-barred breast and sides of neck, a whitish ear-patch often tinged brown, and a maroon undertail. The primaries are blue on the outer webs, green on the inner webs, and dark on the tips. The beak is black.
Browneared pirrura build nests in the hollows of tall trees. There are from 2 to 6 eggs in clutch. Only the hen incubates the eggs and the male is engaged in feeding her and guarding the nest. The chicks hatch after 4 weeks, about 1.5 months of age fly out the nest, but parents feed them another 2-3 weeks.
Pirrury is deal for home detention if they are trained in nestling age. They are very affectionate and friendly, quickly establish contact with all family members. These birds are very talented and sociable, therefore require constant attention. They can learn to talk, although not very clearly. Lifespan in captivity is 13-15 years, but in case of a very good care they can live up to 18 years.
