It is in the subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots, and is found in Ecuador and Peru.

[6][4] The grey-cheeked parakeet is found from western Ecuador's Manabí Province south into extreme northwestern Peru as far as the northern part of the Department of Piura.

It inhabits a variety of landscapes including both deciduous and evergreen forests and more open woodlands, and also scrublands and cultivated areas.

[4] The grey-cheeked parakeet's diet includes flowers, seeds, and fruits of a variety of plants and it is suspected to feed on cultivated bananas as well.

With patience, these birds may be taught to mimic human sounds, albeit without the clarity of larger parrots.

"[1] The export of grey-cheeked parrots is banned in both Ecuador and Peru, and the species occurs in at least four protected areas.