In the nominate subspecies (P. e. egregia), the head is grey and the neck and upper parts of the body and wings are green.

In the other subspecies, P. e. obscura, the upper parts are a deeper shade of green and there is little or no bright colour on the abdomen.

[2][3] The fiery-shouldered parakeet is endemic to an area of tropical rainforest in South America that includes Bolivia, Guyana, Brazil and Venezuela.

Its total area of occupancy is about 50,000 square kilometres (19,000 sq mi) and includes part of the Canaima National Park.

[5] These parrots are found in primary and secondary forests at altitudes between 700 and 1,800 metres (2,300 and 5,900 ft) and also woodland verges, sometimes visiting parks and gardens.