Rusty-faced Parrot

Rare, local and patchy across the Venezuelan Andes (subspecies theresae, central Trujillo to northern Táchira). A genuinely difficult, much-wanted target — small wandering flocks, low densities, and dependence on intact high cloud forest make it a multi-day effort.

Chunky, mainly green parrot with a short tail. Dull orange forecrown, yellow lores, orange-red cheeks with yellow streaking, a red shoulder/carpal patch, blue secondary coverts and dark bluish primaries; red tail with a violet tip. Sexes alike. In flight the dark blue flight feathers contrast with the green body.

Epiphyte-rich upper cloud forest, subtropical forest and treeline scrub, mostly 2,500–3,000 m (recorded ~1,500–3,500 m). Feeds in the canopy on fruit, blossoms and seeds; often near the forest/páramo ecotone.

In pairs or small fast-flying groups; feeds quietly in the canopy and can be easy to overlook when perched. Most often detected as flyover flocks giving loud calls, especially early morning as birds move between roost and feeding areas.

Flight calls are loud, sharp and metallic, given by moving flocks — the primary way to detect the species. Study reference recordings (incl. cuts from the Pico Humboldt trail, Mérida) on Xeno-canto and Macaulay Library under "Rusty-faced Parrot" or "Hapalopsittaca amazonina".

Treat it as an ear-and-skyline bird: position the group at a high cloud-forest overlook or ridge at dawn and scan for fast, calling flocks against the sky. Have clients learn the metallic flight call beforehand — you will usually hear it before you see it, and perched birds need a scope on fruiting/flowering canopy.