It was formerly known as Pyrrhura perlata, but following a review it was discovered that the type specimen, long believed to belong to this species, actually was a juvenile of the closely related crimson-bellied parakeet.

Consequently, P. perlata was transferred to that species, while under the principle of priority the next name in line for the pearly parakeet, P. lepida, became its valid scientific name.

If this were confirmed genetically it would usually result in coerulescens being a junior synonym of the older name lepida, but upon closer inspection the type specimen of the latter is a hybrid.

Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dark brown crown and buff ear coverts; the rest of their face is dull blue-green with whitish bare skin around the eye.

Flocks in flight "call frequently and simultaneously, producing a noisy, harsh and piercing chattering.

Large areas of lowland forests within the range are already severely altered or have been fully cleared.

"[1] The species occurs in several nominally protected areas but many of them suffer from illegal logging.