The term “chocoyos” is the common regional name for a type of parakeet seen throughout the Pacific coastal regions of Central America. These birds are known for their vibrant, striking green color, which allows them to blend into the tropical canopy. Their presence is frequently announced by a noisy, persistent vocalization characteristic of the species, making them a fixture of both rural and urban soundscapes.
Nomenclature and Identity
The name “Chocoyo” is a local designation used primarily in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and parts of Honduras. Its usage can sometimes be ambiguous, referring to any small, green parrot. The bird most commonly associated with this name is the Pacific Parakeet (Psittacara strenuus). This species belongs to the genus Psittacara, which was previously classified under Aratinga until a taxonomic revision in the early 2010s.
The local name may have roots in the indigenous Nahuatl language, possibly related to xocoyo, which denotes a fruit-bearing tree. This aligns with the parakeet’s preference for feeding on fruits and seeds in the region’s forests and orchards. However, the name is also sometimes applied to the Orange-fronted Parakeet (Eupsittula canicularis).
Physical Traits and Geographic Range
The Pacific Parakeet is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring about 32 to 33 centimeters in length, including its long, tapered tail. Its plumage is predominantly a brilliant olive-green, often appearing slightly yellowish on the underparts. A distinguishing feature is the bare, pale beige skin surrounding the orange-red iris, forming a noticeable eye-ring.
While generally uniform, some individuals exhibit subtle red speckles across the neck and head. The undersides of the flight feathers and tail display an olive-yellow coloration, visible in flight. The species is found along the Pacific slope of Central America, distributed from Oaxaca in southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, extending south into central Nicaragua.
These parakeets are adaptable, inhabiting environments including dry tropical forests, semi-deciduous woodlands, and arid scrublands. They can be found from sea level up to elevations of approximately 2,600 meters in upland pine-oak forests. The species has also demonstrated tolerance for human development, frequently establishing populations in urban parks, gardens, and agricultural areas.
Social Behavior and Unique Ecology
The Pacific Parakeet is a social species that rarely appears alone, traveling and foraging in large, noisy flocks that can number over 100 individuals. Their vocalizations are loud, grating, and repetitive, often described as harsh, screaming “kreh!” calls. These calls maintain flock cohesion and are the primary way the birds communicate, making their presence known long before they are seen.
Their diet is varied and consists primarily of seeds, fruits, nuts, and leaf buds gathered from the canopy. This feeding behavior sometimes leads to conflict with humans, as the birds will readily feed on agricultural crops, including corn and bananas, which can result in them being treated as pests in farming communities. Although the species is non-migratory, it will undertake local movements throughout the year, shifting its location in response to the seasonal availability of preferred food sources.
A particularly fascinating aspect of their reproductive biology is their unique nesting ecology, as pairs often do not rely solely on tree cavities like many other parrots. While they will use rock crevices or earthen bank cavities, the Pacific Parakeet is known for its preference for nesting inside the large, hardened structures created by arboreal termites, known as termitaria. The parakeet uses its powerful beak to excavate a nesting chamber within the active termite nest, a behavior that provides a secure, well-insulated shelter for the eggs and young.
This nesting strategy offers significant advantages, as the thick walls of the termitarium provide protection from predators and help to regulate the internal temperature and humidity. The termites, often a species of Nasutitermes, typically repair the breach and seal off the parakeet’s chamber, allowing the bird to nest without disturbing the termite colony. Pairs lay a clutch of approximately three to five eggs, with the breeding season typically coinciding with the local spring and summer months.