[1] Riparian parrotlets are found in southeastern Colombia to northern Peru and western Brazil.

[2] Though they do not fully migrate, it has been suggested that riparian parrotlets are altitudinal migrants: abundance of the species in lowland areas increased during winter and spring; this is likely because during these seasons, the main plants of the large-billed parrotlets' diet were budding and providing more food.

Like all members of the genus Forpus, riparian parrotlets are highly gregarious and are often seen in flocks of up to 100 birds.

They favor palm, Cecropia sp., Handroanthus serratifolius flowers and nectar, and Ceiba speciosa fruits.

However, there are some studies that argue that its morphological differences support the existence of the large-billed parrotlet as its own species, F. crassirostris.