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Green-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus passerinus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Meet the Green-rumped Parrotlet, the smallest parrot in the Americas. These pint-sized socialites bring a flash of emerald and cobalt to backyards from the Amazon to the Caribbean.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 inches); Wingspan: 20-24 cm (8-9.5 inches); Weight: 20-28 grams (0.7-1.0 ounces)

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Colors

Primary emerald green plumage. Males have striking cobalt-blue on the underwing and lower back; females lack blue and have more yellow on the forehead.

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Key Features

Tiny, sparrow-sized parrot body
Short, wedge-shaped tail
Males feature brilliant blue wing accents
Large, pale-colored hooked beak for its size

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM, 3-5 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A granivore that primarily feeds on grass seeds, small berries, and various fruits. They often forage on the ground or in low bushes.

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Habitat Open and semi-open lowlands, savannahs, forest edges, scrublands, and urban parks.

Behavior

Green-rumped Parrotlets are intensely social birds that are almost always found in small, chattering flocks of 5 to 20 individuals. They are highly communicative, maintaining constant contact with high-pitched chirps and whistles that can be heard long before the birds are seen. In flight, they move with a swift, slightly undulating pattern, often landing abruptly in the canopy where their green feathers provide near-perfect camouflage.

These parrots are unique for their nesting habits, often using hollowed-out tree cavities, fence posts, or even abandoned nests of other species like the Rufous-fronted Thornbird. Unlike many other parrots, they are relatively bold around human settlements, often frequenting city parks and backyard gardens where food is plentiful. They spend a significant portion of their day foraging, showing a particular fondness for grass seeds found on the ground or in low-lying shrubbery.

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Camera Tips

To capture these tiny parrots on camera, focus your efforts on water sources. Green-rumped Parrotlets need to drink frequently, especially in warmer climates. A shallow, elevated birdbath placed near native fruiting trees is your best bet. Position your camera about 3 to 5 feet away from the water source to ensure the motion sensor triggers quickly enough to catch their rapid movements. Because they are so small, using a camera with a high-resolution sensor (4K preferred) will allow you to crop the image later without losing the detail of their feathers.

Since these birds often forage for grass seeds, a ground-level camera set near a patch of seeding tall grass can yield spectacular close-up footage. Place the camera on a low tripod or a weatherproof mount just a few inches off the ground. If you are using bait, birdseed mixes containing small millet or sunflower hearts can attract them, though they are often more interested in natural seeding grasses. Set your camera's burst mode to take 3-5 photos per trigger to account for their constant, jerky movements while feeding.

Lighting is crucial for bringing out the iridescent greens and blues of their plumage. Try to angle your camera so the sun is behind it during the early morning hours. This 'front-lighting' will illuminate the male’s cobalt-blue wing patches, which can otherwise look dark or black in shadow. If your camera has a 'high sensitivity' or 'fast shutter' setting, enable it; these birds rarely sit still for more than a few seconds, and you'll want to avoid motion blur during their frequent social squabbles.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Green-rumped Parrotlet.

Blue-winged Parrotlet

Very similar but has more extensive dark blue on the wings and a slightly different green hue; ranges further south into Brazil and Argentina.

Spectacled Parrotlet

Identified by the distinct ring of blue feathers around the eyes, which the Green-rumped lacks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are strictly diurnal, with peak activity occurring shortly after sunrise (around 7-9 AM) and again in the late afternoon before they return to communal roosts. They are often quiet and less active during the heat of midday.

The most effective way to attract them is by providing a clean, shallow water source or a birdbath. Planting native grasses with accessible seeds and providing fruit-bearing trees like guava or fig will also encourage them to visit.

Their diet consists mostly of small seeds, particularly grass seeds. They also consume various small fruits, berries, and occasionally leaf buds or blossoms. They are frequent visitors to suburban gardens that offer these food sources.

Yes, they are very adaptable and are frequently found in urban parks, suburban gardens, and agricultural edges. As long as there are nesting cavities and a steady supply of seeds, they thrive near human populations.

Look for their size; they are significantly smaller than most parrots (about sparrow-sized). You can distinguish them from the Blue-winged Parrotlet by the male's turquoise-blue wing markings and the female's yellow forehead, which is more prominent in this species.

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