Scarlet-Lored Amazon Parrot
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Aratingidae
Genus: Amazona
Species: autumnalis
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HABITAT AND RANGE:
The Scarlet-lored Amazon is from
south-eastern Mexico, northern Central
America, eastern Guatemala and Ruatan
Island. |
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Amazons have a thickset body, a powerful
beak and a shorter tail than most
parrots. This species of Amazon is green
with a lighter green underneath. The
forehead, forecrown and lores are red.
It has lavender-tipped feathers and a
patch of yellow at the base of the lower
mandible up to the eyes, with a
scattering of red feathers around the
yellow. The tail is green with a band of
yellow and blue at the tips. This Amazon
is about 13.5 inches in length. |
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ADAPTATIONS:
In the wild, birds are very gregarious
and often travel in large flocks.
However, they spend more time climbing
up trees than flying through them. Their
toes are arranged so that they have two
forward and two backwards for
exceptional gripping. They also use
their beaks for balance and will grab
onto a branch before climbing it. The
Amazons have no vocal cords, but whistle
their words with exceptional clarity.
They can also learn to sing. Amazons are
also very picky birds; they will only
become attached to certain people.
Sometimes they will prefer only one
gender of person. |
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DIET:
In the wild, they eat primarily fruit,
grain and nuts. They can use their
incredibly strong beaks to crack the
hardest nuts. Parrots are left-handed-
they will always use their left foot to
pick up food to eat it. |
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REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Two eggs are usually laid and are
incubated for 21-24 days. The young
spend 70-74 days in the nest before they
are ready to venture out into the world.
The immature birds have a slightly
different plumage, being more solid
green and not having as many of the
other colors. Amazons become totally
independent in three to four weeks after
leaving the nest. |
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STATUS IN WILD:
The Amazons are declining in the wild,
mostly due to the deforestation for
agricultural land. They are also used by
the natives as a food source. These
birds are quite common in pet stores,
but they require a lot of attention and
care. |
