[2] (Forpus cyanopygius cyanopygius) (nominate subspecies) Mexican parrotlets exhibit sexual dimorphism: males have light turquoise feathers along the leading edges of their wings and on their rumps and primaries, secondaries, and coverts; females are entirely yellow-green and slightly duller.

[1] The population is estimated to be 50,000 or greater, but it is decreasing due to a combination of the illegal hunting and trapping of wild individuals and habitat loss.

Mexican parrotlets are highly social and gregarious birds, most often found in flocks of 4–30 individuals made up of pairs and family groups.

[4][5][7] Mexican parrotlets typically breed between May and July, and lay clutches of up to 3 small, white eggs.

[citation needed] Mexican parrotlets usually nest in tree cavities, cacti, and other similar structures.

Because of their protections, they cannot legally be captured from the wild and sold as pets, so the captive population relies on breeding programs.