Birds Active during the day

Yellow-eared Parrot

Ognorhynchus icterotis

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Once thought extinct, the Yellow-eared Parrot is a vibrant symbol of Colombian conservation. These brilliant green and gold birds live in a spectacular, high-altitude partnership with the world's tallest palm trees.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length of 42–46 cm (16.5–18 in); Weight approximately 250–350 g (8.8–12.3 oz)

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Colors

Bright green body with large, distinctive yellow patches on the forehead, face, and 'ears'. Underparts are a lighter, yellowish-green.

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Key Features

Striking yellow facial patches extending behind the eyes
Heavy, dark grey hooked beak
Long, pointed green tail
Large size compared to most montane parakeets

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A specialized feeder that relies heavily on the fruit, seeds, and pith of the Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense), occasionally supplemented by other Andean fruits and tree bark.

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Habitat High-altitude cloud forests and montane woodlands, specifically where stands of Wax Palms are present.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Yellow-eared Parrot Live?

Native to the South American continent, the Yellow-eared Parrot is found exclusively in the high-altitude Andean regions of Colombia. Its current range is restricted to the Central and Western Cordilleras, with core populations concentrated in departments like Quindío and Tolima. While it was historically reported in northern Ecuador, it is currently considered a Colombian endemic with no known introduced populations outside this narrow mountain corridor.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

4.5K km² Range

Vulnerable Conservation

CO Colombia

Marginal

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

1,200 m – 3,400 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Yellow-eared Parrot is a highly social and vocal bird, almost always found in noisy flocks that can be heard from great distances. They have an inseparable relationship with the Wax Palm, which they use for nesting, roosting, and as their primary food source. These parrots are intelligent and exhibit complex social structures, often traveling in groups between high-altitude feeding grounds and lower-elevation roosting sites.

Historically, they were wary of humans due to hunting and habitat destruction, but conservation efforts have fostered a closer relationship with local communities. They are now seen as a symbol of pride in their native regions, though they remain cautious and easily startled by sudden movements or loud noises near their nesting sites. During the breeding season, they become fiercely protective of the palm cavities they call home.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Yellow-eared Parrot on a trail camera requires a strategic approach focused on their vertical habitat. Because these birds spend the majority of their time in the canopy, ground-level cameras are unlikely to find success. Instead, mount your AI-powered camera high on a hillside that overlooks a stand of Wax Palms. If you are working on a private reserve or property with these palms, use a professional-grade tree mount to position the camera 15-20 feet up, facing a known nesting cavity or a cluster of ripening palm fruit.

The lighting in Andean cloud forests is notoriously tricky, with heavy mist and high-contrast sunlight. Set your camera to a high shutter speed to freeze the motion of their fast wingbeats, and ensure your AI model is calibrated to recognize birds in flight. Because these parrots travel in noisy flocks, you can use an external microphone if your camera supports it; the sound of their distinctive squawking can serve as an early warning for the camera to wake from sleep mode.

Since these birds are dietary specialists, traditional birdseed lures will not work. Your best 'bait' is the presence of the Quindío Wax Palm itself. Focus your camera on the fruit-bearing fronds during the peak fruiting months. To protect your equipment from the high-altitude humidity and frequent rain, use a waterproof housing and include silica gel desiccant packs inside the battery compartment to prevent lens fogging during the rapid temperature shifts of the Andean morning.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Yellow-eared Parrot.

Rusty-faced Parrot

Much smaller than the Yellow-eared, with rusty-orange facial markings rather than bright yellow.

Golden-plumed Parakeet

Smaller and more slender, with a thin yellow line behind the eye rather than a large facial patch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yellow-eared Parrots are diurnal and follow a strict schedule. They are most active immediately after sunrise when they leave their roosting sites and again in the late afternoon between 3 PM and sunset as they return to the palms.

Attracting these parrots is difficult as they are habitat specialists. You must live in the Colombian Andes at high elevations and have mature Wax Palms on your property. Planting native trees and protecting existing palms is the best way to support them.

Their diet is almost entirely focused on the Wax Palm. They eat the small, cherry-like fruits, the seeds, and sometimes the pith of the tree. They may occasionally forage for other wild fruits in the surrounding cloud forest.

No, they are not common in suburban areas. They are a vulnerable species restricted to remote, high-altitude montane forests. You are very unlikely to see them in a city or a typical low-altitude neighborhood.

The most defining feature is the massive yellow patch that covers the forehead and the area around the eye (the 'ear'). Other green parrots in the region, like the Rusty-faced Parrot, have much smaller or different colored facial markings.

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