Southern Colombia in central Andes south through Ecuador to central Peru.
 
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat loss and fragmentation through burning and grazing of páramo, settlement, clearance for agriculture, logging, narcotics and gold mining, and trapping as a maize pest and as a pet, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Macaw-like. In flight, a noisy 'chree-ah'. Feeding flocks chatter continuously. Also harsh 'scraart'.
Golden-plumed Parakeet (Leptosittaca branickii) [XC51301]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from Hacienda Las Cruces (Area La Ceja), Toche, Municipio Ibague, Tolima, Colombia (call)
Golden-plumed Parakeet (Leptosittaca branickii) [XC45327]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from Hacienda Las Cruces, area La Ceja-Toche, Mpio Ibague, Tolima, Colombia (call)