Parakeets (Prikichi)

Latin name: Aratinga pertinax
Length: 25 cm
Weight: 90 to 100 grams
Color: The parakeet has a greenish-brown head with some yellow around the eyes. Its back and wings are dark green, while the underside of its body is a lighter green. There is also a bit of blue present in the wings. The parakeet’s beak is gray/black.
Reproduction: Parakeets often use termite nests as breeding sites.
Habitat: Parakeets are spread throughout all natural environments (mondi) of the island.
Defense mechanisms: Flying away, loud calls.
Food: Parakeets eat seeds from the pods of the Kwihi tree, Divi Divi tree, and columnar cactus. They also eat natural fruits.
Enemies: Boas, humans.

Parakeets are found on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, but each island has a different subspecies. The Brown-throated Parakeet we have on Aruba is also found along the coast of Venezuela. Unfortunately, crossbreeding between the subspecies occurs because caged birds from places like Curaçao are released on Aruba. The parakeet population on Aruba is at risk due to widespread deforestation caused by the island’s growing population.