A New Species of Aratinga Parakeet (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) from Brazil, With Taxonomic Remarks on the Aratinga Solstitialis Complex

Abstract

Abstract We describe a new species of Aratinga—A. pintoi (Sulfur-breasted Parakeet)—from open areas on the northern bank of the lower Amazon River in the state of Pará, Brazil. It was for a long time misidentified as a juvenile of A. solstitialis or a hybrid between that species and A. jandaya. It can be distinguished from other Aratinga species by the combination of the following characters: mantle and wing coverts green, suffused with pale yellow; underparts pale yellow, with pale orange restricted to belly and flanks; and feathers on the underparts with a dark rachis. On the basis of color characters and general morphology, we suggest that this new species should be a member of a group composed of A. solstitialis, A. jandaya, A. auricapillus, and, possibly, Nandayus nenday. A review of taxonomy and distribution of the group is also presented. Uma nova espécie de Aratinga (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) do Brasil, com comentários sobre a taxonomia do complexo de espécies Aratinga solstitialis