Birds Active during the day

Olive-throated Parakeet

Eupsittula nana

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A social and spirited resident of the tropical lowlands, the Olive-throated Parakeet is known for its earthy olive plumage and its fascinating habit of nesting in termite mounds. Whether screaming across the sky or quietly munching on figs, these parakeets bring a vibrant touch of the tropics to any backyard.

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Quick Identification

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Size

22–26 cm (8.5–10 in) long; weight approximately 75–85 g (2.6–3 oz)

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Colors

Primary green body with a dull olive-brown throat and breast; blue-edged flight feathers; yellowish under-tail

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Key Features

Dull olive-brown throat and chest
Distinct white ring of bare skin around the eye
Long, pointed green tail
Green upperparts with blue on the wing primaries

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-9 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of wild fruits (especially figs and palm nuts), seeds, flowers, and occasionally grain or cultivated crops.

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Habitat Lowland forests, woodland edges, plantations, mangroves, and suburban gardens or parks.

Behavior

Olive-throated Parakeets are gregarious and highly social birds, typically found in pairs or small flocks of 6 to 30 individuals. They are famously boisterous in flight, emitting sharp, screeching calls that reveal their presence long before they are seen. However, once they land to feed in the canopy, they become remarkably silent and difficult to spot, using their green plumage as effective camouflage against the leaves.

These parakeets are known for their unique nesting habits, often excavating cavities within active arboreal termite mounds. This provides a stable environment and protection from predators. In suburban settings, they are adaptable and can become quite bold around humans, especially when attracted by fruiting trees or backyard bird feeders, where they display a mix of curiosity and cautious agility.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture the Olive-throated Parakeet on your backyard camera, focus on elevation. These birds are canopy-dwellers and rarely descend to the ground. Position your camera 10 to 15 feet high, aiming at fruiting trees such as fig, guava, or citrus. If you use a bird feeder, mount it high and ensure the camera is angled slightly downward from an adjacent branch to capture the bird's distinctive olive throat and chest markings.

Luring them requires consistency. Fresh fruit slices like papaya or mango are highly effective, as are large sunflower seeds. Because these parakeets move in fast, energetic bursts, set your camera to a fast shutter speed or 'Sports Mode' to prevent motion blur. Using a trigger interval of 5-10 seconds will help you capture the social interactions of the flock without filling your SD card too quickly with identical frames.

Pay attention to the 'Golden Hour'—the first two hours after sunrise and the last two before sunset. This is when they are most active and vocal. If your camera allows for video, use it; the social bickering and grooming behavior of a pair of Olive-throated Parakeets is much more engaging than a still photo. If you live in an area with arboreal termite mounds, placing a camera nearby during the spring nesting season can yield rare footage of their unique excavating behavior.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Olive-throated Parakeet.

Orange-fronted Parakeet

Features a prominent orange patch on the forehead and a greener chest compared to the dull olive-brown of the Olive-throated.

Brown-throated Parakeet

Has much brighter yellow or orange-yellow on the face and lower breast, whereas the Olive-throated is more muted.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the early morning (6-9 AM) and late afternoon (4-6 PM) when they move between roosting sites and feeding grounds.

Planting native fruiting trees like figs or palms is the best method. You can also use elevated platform feeders stocked with fresh tropical fruits or sunflower seeds.

Their diet consists of wild fruits, seeds, buds, and flowers. They are particularly fond of figs and the fruit of various palm species.

Yes, they are quite adaptable and are frequently seen in suburban gardens, parks, and orchards within their range, especially where mature trees are present.

The Olive-throated Parakeet has a dull brown-olive chest and lacks the bright orange patch on the forehead that characterizes the Orange-fronted Parakeet.

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