FEATURE


markings on the grass-green plumage which are only missing on the lime-green underside, forehead, cheek and throat. The flight feathers shimmer bluish. Their giant feet with dark claws seem to be too big for these tiny birds. We can learn from literature that the


native habitat of the Lineolated Parakeets is in cloud forests and woodlands of Middle and South America, from Mexico in the north to Peru and Bolivia in the south. There they spend the majority of the day hidden secretly in the treetops, relaxing, caring for their feathers or cuddling with one another. In small or big groups Linnies go out for a hunt for


food, which due to their nomadic lifestyle varies and possibly includes tree seeds and fruits, but also tree buds, fresh shoots and insects. Now we can understand the appearance


of the green mini-parrot much better: Well camouflaged among the treetops, their black feather markings imitate the play between light and dark perfectly and they appear to melt completely into their surroundings. The compact physique allows the birds to move more easily around between twigs and leaves, long tail feathers would only disturb. And the huge feet as well as the stocky beak turn out as perfect tools for climbing on thick


BIRD SCENE 39


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