Coloration of young:Different than in the adults. Their plumage is a nice bright medium green. They have a narrow band of chestnut red at the lores, with a occasional sprinkling of red feathers in the middle of the band between the two nostrils. The forehead is a light greenish brown with the crown being green. The back of the head and nape is green. The sides of the nape and the sides of the neck are green with gray edgings. The ear coverts have a slight reddish brown tinge to them. Under the chin is a small patch of reddish brown feathers. The throat and upper breast is green with the faintest of gray edgings. The abdomen is lightly marked in maroon with sometimes some odd feathers in red and/or yellow. The thighs have red, green feathers on them. The feathers around the vent are maroon and sometimes have a few pale yellow feathers too. The back, rump and upper tail coverts are a bright medium green. The shoulders and bend of the wing are a brilliant burnt orange. The under wing coverts are orange mixed with golden yellow. The primary coverts and primaries are a rich medium blue with the occasional sprinkling of yellow feathers in the lesser and primary coverts. The upper side of the tail is a dark maroon with a green base and the underside is a lighter shade of dark maroon. The periophtalmic ring is white. The iris is a very dark brown, almost a blackish brown. The feet is a deep charcoal gray, underside a light gray with black toenails. The bill is horned colored with black markings indicating youth.
Adult coloration: A darker green plumage. They have a narrow band of reddish brown at the lores. The forehead is brown, The crown, back of neck and nape brown with green edgings and/orwith green feathers with gray edgings. The ear coverts variably a reddish brown. Under the chin is a patch of reddish brown feathers. The sides of the neck, throat and upper breast green with white edging and underneath a narrow band of green feather with a tan colored feather edging. Abdomen a dark green with lightly marked maroon feathers scattered with the occasional red and yellow feathers. The thighs have red, green feathers on them. The feathers around the vent are maroon and sometimes have a few pale yellow feathers too. The back, rump and upper tail coverts are a darker green. The shoulders and bend of the wing a brilliant fiery red. The under wing coverts are a brilliant deep orange mixed with deep yellow feathers. The primary coverts and primaries are a rich medium blue with the occasional sprinkling of deep yellow feathers in the lesser and primary coverts. The upper side of the tail is a dark maroon with a green base and the underside is a maroonish gray. The periopthalmic ring is white. The iris is brown. The feet is a deep charcoal gray, underside a light gray with black toenails. The bill is horn colored. With a few more molts the brilliant red's, orange's and yellow's of the wings get brighter.
Subspecies: There is one subspecies. It ise. obscura which has a darker green plumage, especially to the back of the head, nape, back and wings. The length is 24 cm ( 9.5 inches ).
Origin: Western Guyana and adjoining areas in southeast Venuzuela near Roraima Mountains.
Habitat:found in forest, cloud forest and the edges of the forest and adjoining cultivated areas as well as tall vergetation in upper tropical and subtropical zones. Seen in pairs or small groups. Prefer the canopies.
Captivity:This species may be housed in a large roomy cage or large flight. They are a very prolific species. They can easily double clutch and occasionally triple clutch per breeding season. The nestbox can be 12" x 12" x 24" with the entrance being about 3.5" in diameter. The hen will lay anywhere from 5 to 8 eggs with the average being 5 - 6 eggs. Incubation time is 23 days. Around 7 weeks of age, the young leave the nest.
Life expectancy: 20 - 23 years
SORRY, AT THIS TIME WE DO NOT BREED THIS SPECIES!
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" Ferrari " & " Firella " Chick
Pictured here at 8 weeks old
Bred by/Photo
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
" Ferrari " & " Firella " chick
Back View of Fiery-Shouldered
Pictured here at9.5 weeks old
Bred by/Photo
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
This site and layout design by Darlene Johnson of LITTLE DARLINGS
