Species profile
About this species
The Orange-winged Parrot is a medium-sized parrot native to South America & Trinidad, recognised by its vivid green plumage, orange wing patches visible in flight, & a distinctive blue & yellow facial pattern. It is a highly social species, often seen in noisy flocks roosting & foraging in forest canopies & palm trees. In Trinidad it is one of the most commonly encountered parrots, making it a rewarding subject for wildlife photographers.
Tropical forest edges, mangroves, palm groves, cultivated areas & secondary woodland across northern South America & Trinidad, where it favours areas with abundant fruiting trees & tall palms for roosting.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Orange-winged Parrot with us in Trinidad & Tobago.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning around sunrise is ideal when birds are most active leaving roost sites. The April trip to Trinidad coincides with dry season conditions, offering clearer skies & better light for photography. Dawn & dusk feeding periods provide the best behavioural shots throughout the year.
Visit roost sites at dawn during the April trip to capture flocks taking flight in warm early morning light, using a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze wing movement. Position yourself near fruiting trees or palms where birds congregate to feed, allowing closer approach for frame-filling portraits with a 400-500mm lens. Shoot against a clear sky or dappled canopy background to isolate the vivid green & orange plumage, & use burst mode to capture the diagnostic orange wing patches during take-off or landing.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Orange-winged Parrot
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.