Pacific Parrotlet

The Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis), also known as Lesson's parrotlet, or the celestial parrotlet, is a species of small parrot in the family Psittacidae. Wild Pacific parrotlets are native to western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Most common in dry habitats such as the desert and deciduous forest, but have spread into humid areas in response to deforestation. They tend to feed on berries and cactus fruits but are not picky in their feeding. In captivity, parrotlets eat many fruits, seeds, vegetables, and herbs.

This small green parrot is 11 to 14 centimeters in length and weighs at least 30 grams. The body of a wild Pacific parrotlet is green with a dusty gray hue, a bright green mask, and a pinkish beak. Pinkish gray describes the legs and feet. Male Pacific parrotlets have blue hues on their wings, which are sexually dimorphic. On American birds, the blue can range in intensity from vivid cobalt blue to a light, almost lavender shade of blue; the blue is nearly completely absent on marbled species, appearing only on the underside of the wing just at the joint. Male parrotlets also have blue streaks behind the eyes which is often referred to as "eyeshadow", as well as blue rumps. Female parrotlets have no blue on the wings whatsoever but can have blue eye streaks as well as a blue rump.