Birds Active during the day

Sun Parakeet

Aratinga solstitialis

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Meet the Sun Parakeet, a living jewel of the South American savanna. Known for its radiant golden plumage and high-spirited personality, this endangered parrot is a master of social living and tropical survival.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length of 30 cm (12 inches); weight ranges from 100-120 g (3.5-4.2 oz)

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Colors

Brilliant golden-yellow body with vibrant orange-red flushing on the face and belly; wings show green coverts and deep blue flight feathers

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Key Features

Radiant golden-yellow plumage across the head and mantle
Vivid orange patches on the face and abdomen
Long, tapered tail with olive-green and blue tips
Powerful, black hooked beak and white bare eye-rings

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 A varied diet consisting of tropical fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, and blossoms; they often feed on cactus fruits and palm nuts.

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Habitat Tropical savanna, open woodlands, and forest edges, particularly near palm groves and water sources.

Behavior

Sun Parakeets are exceptionally social and expressive birds, almost always found in tight-knit flocks ranging from a few individuals to thirty or more. Their presence is usually announced long before they are seen, thanks to their piercing, high-pitched vocalizations which they use to maintain contact while flying through dense canopy or foraging. Within these flocks, they form strong monogamous bonds, and pairs are often observed preening one another to reinforce their social connection.

In the wild, they are highly active during the day, spending their time moving between roosting sites and foraging grounds. They are remarkably agile flyers, capable of rapid, direct flight. While they spend much of their time in the treetops, they are curious by nature and will occasionally descend to lower levels to investigate food sources or water. Their intelligence and social complexity make them a favorite in aviculture, though in their native habitat, they remain cautious of terrestrial predators.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Sun Parakeet on a backyard or trail camera, focus your efforts on water sources and fruiting trees. Because they are canopy-dwellers, placing your camera at a slight upward angle towards a birdbath or a platform feeder stocked with tropical fruits like papaya or mango can yield excellent results. If you are in their native range, look for stands of Mauritia palms, as these are a magnet for the species. Set your camera at a height of 5 to 8 feet if possible, or use a mounting bracket to secure it to a high branch overlooking a clearing.

Given their vibrant yellow and orange colors, Sun Parakeets can sometimes 'blow out' or overexpose in direct, midday tropical sun. Position your camera to face North or South to avoid the harshest direct sunlight, or place it under a slight canopy cover to utilize dappled light, which brings out the richness of their plumage. High-speed shutter settings are essential, as these birds are fast movers and frequently flutter their wings even while perched.

For the best activity, ensure your camera is active during the 'golden hours' shortly after sunrise and before sunset. They are most vocal and active during these times as they move from roosting to feeding sites. Since they travel in flocks, set your camera to 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video' mode; this allows you to capture the initial bird landing and the subsequent social interactions as the rest of the flock follows.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Sun Parakeet.

Jenday Conure

The Jenday has a solid green back and wings, unlike the Sun Parakeet's mostly yellow mantle.

Golden Conure

Much larger and entirely golden-yellow except for green primary wing feathers; lacks the orange facial flushing of the Sun Parakeet.

Sulphur-breasted Parakeet

Extremely similar but features more green striations on the mantle and is found further south in Brazil.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sun Parakeets are diurnal and most active during the early morning and late afternoon. They usually leave their roosting sites at dawn to forage and return shortly before sunset, often making loud calls during these transit periods.

If you live within their native range in South America, you can attract them with fresh fruit platters featuring mango, papaya, and bananas. They are also drawn to clean, elevated water basins for bathing and drinking.

Their diet is primarily herbivorous, consisting of a variety of tropical fruits, seeds, nuts, and flower blossoms. They are particularly fond of cactus fruits and the nuts of various palm species native to the Guiana Shield.

In their native range, they are increasingly rare and generally avoid heavy urban centers, though they may visit suburban gardens that border wild savannas or forests. They are more commonly seen in these environments as escaped pets in other parts of the world.

The Sun Parakeet is primarily golden-yellow on its back and mantle, whereas the Jenday Conure has a distinct green back and wings. Sun Parakeets also generally have more extensive orange flushing on their underparts.

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