2008_08_1618_58_45 5386

Parrots, also known as psittacines ( /ˈsɪtəsaɪnz/), are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae ('true' parrots), the Cacatuidae (cockatoos) and the Strigopidae (New Zealand parrots). Parrots have a generally pantropical distribution with several species inhabiting temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere as well. The greatest diversity of parrots is found in South America and Australasia.

Aratinga is a genus of American parakeets. They belong to the long-tailed group and are among the genera often called conures in aviculture. Most are predominantly green, although a few are predominantly yellow or orange. They are social and commonly seen in groups in the wild. In Brazil the popular name of several species usually is Jandaia, sometimes written as Jandaya in the scientific form.

Many species from this genus are popular pets, although being larger than the members of the genus Pyrrhura, they need a sizable aviary to thrive.

The taxonomy of this genus is unresolved with clear indication that the genus as currently defined is paraphyletic. Several clusters of species, complexes, are recognized in this genus, with variying degrees of understanding, such as the Aratinga solstitialis complex, A. mitrata complex, A. holochlora complex, and A. pertinax (-complex). Additionally, the Golden Parakeet has been included in Aratinga, but is now generally placed in the monotypic Guarouba. The Guadeloupe Parakeet (Aratinga labati) is an hypothetical extinct species that has been postulated based on little evidence.