Blue-winged Parrotlet ( Forpus xanthopterygius )

12,5 cm. The general color is green, but the male has a bright blue area in the wings and lower back. The female does not have this blue area and the belly is somewhat yellow. There may be mutations producing all yellow or blue individuals. The plumage of the immature individuals is not as bright as the adult’s.
Distribution:
Tropical South America.
Habitat:
Forest borders, gallery forests, parks, gardens and open areas.
Diet:
Feeds on fruits, seeds, buds and flowers.
Reproduction:
It is monogamous. The couple stays together for the rest of their lives. The nest is built inside a hole in a tree that may be an abandoned nest of hornero (Furnarius rufus) or an artificial nest box. The female lays three to seven white eggs. The female stays in the nest while the male brings food to her and to the offspring.
Natural history:
It is the smallest parrotlet in Brazil. It is capable of saying some words when in captivity. Lives in flocks of 5 to 20 individuals. They may gather in feeding or sleeping sites. Even when breeding the male keeps social contact with the group. Sometimes consumes some kinds of mud in order to improve digestion of seeds and fruits.