Nonnatives - White-eyed Parakeet

White-eyed Parakeet - Aratinga leucopthalmus

Florida's Exotic Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1987

Extirpated year:

Established status: Species are present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.

Estimated Florida range: 12 counties  Not reported breeding

Statewide trend: Unknown status

Threats to natives:  Members of the parrot family carry Newcastle disease, identified in 1971, which can infect native songbirds, game birds, domestic chickens and turkeys, and other exotic bird species. The native bird species can be infected by smuggled exotic birds and birds not properly quarantined that are released into the wild. This species also breeds in cavities which might limit the number available to native cavity nesters.

Species Account: Ranges from the Guyanas to Argentina. Atatinga leucopthalmus is very similar in appearance to A. finschi (Crimson-fronted Parakeet), and there may be avicultural hybrids (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992).

Habitats: Central or core urban area.

References

Pranty, B., and S. Epps. In preparation. The exotic parrot fauna of Broward County.

Robertson, W. B., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

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