Brown-backed parrotlet

The brown-backed parrotlet, also known as the black-backed parrotlet, black-eared parrotlet, or Wied's parrotlet, is a delightful small green parrot native to southeastern Brazil. These birds inhabit areas ranging from Bahia to southern São Paulo. They are distinguished by their dark brown back and mantle, brown ear patches, and striking red outer tail feathers with black tips. Typically, these parrotlets congregate in small groups of 3 to 20 individuals, thriving in humid forests at elevations between 500 and 1,000 meters.

These parrotlets particularly favor lower montane evergreen forests, but they can also be found at higher elevations, up to 1,400 meters, such as in Itatiaia National Park. Their diet is quite diverse, consisting of large leguminous seeds, fruits from plants like Rapanea acuminata and Clusia, and even mistletoe. They are believed to breed from September to October, with the juveniles exhibiting distinct differences in appearance from the adults.