Black-faced parakeet (SciiFii)

The black-faced parakeet (Aratinga nigreos) is a species of neotropical parrot, most closely related to the nanday parakeet (Aratinga nenday), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across the eastern, southeastern, southern, southwestern, and western North America to help boost biodiversity. The black-faced parakeet is 27–30 centimeters (11–12 inches) long, weighs 140 grams (4.9 oz), and is mostly green in color. Its most distinguishing characteristic, for which it is named, is its black facial mask and beak. It also shows dark green, trailing flight feathers on its wings and has a long tail edged at the end in blue. The upper chest is pale blue and the lower chest is a paler green. Feathers covering the thighs are orange with the yellow rim on top. The black-faced parakeet feeds on seeds, fruit, palm nuts, chestnuts, peanuts, berries, flowers, and buds. Black-faced parakeets also come to bird feeders. Black-faced parakeets primarily use forests and forest clearings around settlements. They frequent open savannah, pastures, and stockyards in western United States, where they are considered as pests in some areas. Black-faced parakeets usually find holes in trees to nest, but will construct their own nests with sticks and grass pieces (including hay), similarly to monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus), in areas were there are no available tree cavities. Females lay three or four eggs. After raising their young, all birds form rather large communal roosts until the next breeding season. The conservation status of the black-faced parakeet is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the black-faced parakeet's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.