Carolina parakeet

Conuropsis carolinensis

Family: Psittacidae Order: parrot Conservation: Extinct

About the Carolina parakeet

The Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis), or Carolina conure, is an extinct species of small green neotropical parrot with a bright yellow head, reddish orange face, and pale beak that was native to the Eastern, Midwest, and Plains States of the United States. It was the only indigenous parrot within its range, and one of only three parrot species native to the United States. The others are the thick-billed parrot, now extirpated; and the green parakeet, still present in Texas. A fourth parrot species, the red-crowned amazon, is debated. The Carolina parakeet was called Maskowhinge in Powhatan, puzzi la née ("head of yellow") or pot pot chee by the Seminole and kelinky in Chickasaw. Though formerly prevalent within its range, the bird had become rare by the middle of the 19th cent

Fun Facts About Carolina parakeet

The last known specimen, a male named Incas, perished in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918, and the species was declared extinct in 1939.
The Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis), or Carolina conure, is an extinct species of small green neotropical parrot with a bright yellow head, reddish orange face, and pale beak that was native to the Eastern, Midwest, and Plains States of the United States.
Though formerly prevalent within its range, the bird had become rare by the middle of the 19th century.
It was the only indigenous parrot within its range, and one of only three parrot species native to the United States.
They were first scientifically described in English naturalist Mark Catesby's two-volume Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands published in London in 1731 and 1743.

Conservation Status

The Carolina parakeet is classified as Extinct on the IUCN Red List.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	parrot
Family	Psittacidae
Genus	Conuropsis
Species	Conuropsis carolinensis