AMAZONS
The Amazon parrot genus, also known as Amazona, is a group of New World parrots found in parts of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. They are characterized by their medium to large size, stocky build, and colorful plumage, which often includes shades of green, blue, yellow, and red.
There are around 30 different species of Amazon parrots, each with their own unique features and traits. They are highly intelligent and social birds, known for their ability to mimic human speech and their affectionate personalities.
AMAZONS'S GENUS
Appearance: Amazon parrots are medium to large-sized birds with a stocky build and colorful plumage. They often have shades of green, blue, yellow, and red in their feathers. Many species have distinct markings on their heads, such as the blue patches on the cheeks of the Blue-cheeked Amazon.
Size: The size of Amazon parrots can vary depending on the species, but they typically measure between 25-40 cm (10-16 inches) in length and weigh between 300-600 grams (10-20 ounces).
Behavior: Amazon parrots are highly social and intelligent birds, known for their playful and affectionate personalities. They are capable of mimicking human speech and can be trained to perform a variety of tricks and behaviors. In the wild, they are typically found in small flocks and are active during the day.
Habitat: Amazon parrots are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, savannas, and grasslands. They are also known to inhabit areas near human settlements, such as agricultural fields and suburban neighborhoods.
Diet: In the wild, Amazon parrots feed on a variety of fruits, seeds, nuts, and vegetation. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nuts.
Breeding: Amazon parrots are monogamous and typically form long-term pair bonds. They breed between January and June, with females laying 2-4 eggs in a nest made from twigs and leaves. The eggs are incubated by both parents for around 26-28 days, and the chicks fledge after about 2-3 months.
Conservation Status: Many species of Amazon parrots are at risk from habitat loss and the pet trade. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), several species are considered to be at significant risk of extinction, including the Yellow-faced Amazon, the Red-tailed Amazon, and the Puerto Rican Amazon.
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Yellow-crowned Amazon (Amazona ochrocephala) The Yellow-crowned Amazon, also known as the Yellow-headed Amazon, is a large parrot found in Mexico and Central America. They are known for their yellow head and neck, with green feathers covering the rest of their body. They are highly intelligent and affectionate birds, and make great pets.
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Cuban Amazon (Amazona leucocephala) The Cuban Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in Cuba and the Bahamas. They are characterized by their white head and neck, with green feathers covering the rest of their body. They are social birds and can often be seen flying in large flocks.
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Jamaican Amazon (Amazona collaria) The Jamaican Amazon, also known as the Black-billed Amazon, is a small parrot found only in Jamaica. They are known for their green feathers and distinctive black bill. They are an endangered species due to habitat loss and the pet trade.
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Yellow-naped Amazon (Amazona auropalliata) The Yellow-naped Amazon is a large parrot found in Mexico and Central America. They are known for their green feathers and distinctive yellow patch on the nape of their neck. They are highly intelligent and social birds, and are often kept as pets.
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Hispaniolan Amazon (Amazona ventralis) The Hispaniolan Amazon, also known as the Imperial Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. They are known for their green feathers and bright red patches on their wings. They are an endangered species due to habitat loss and the pet trade.
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Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis) The Red-lored Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in Mexico and Central America. They are known for their green feathers and distinctive red patch on their forehead. They are highly intelligent and social birds, and make great pets.
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Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi) The Lilac-crowned Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in Mexico and Central America. They are known for their green feathers and distinctive lilac-colored patch on their forehead. They are highly intelligent and social birds, and make great pets.
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Yellow-fronted Amazon (Amazona amazonica) The Yellow-fronted Amazon, also known as the Yellow-faced Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found in South America. They are known for their green feathers and distinctive yellow patch on their forehead. They are highly intelligent and social birds, and make great pets.
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Red-tailed Amazon (Amazona brasiliensis) The Red-tailed Amazon is a large parrot found in Brazil and Paraguay. They are known for their green feathers and distinctive red patch on their tail. They are highly intelligent and social birds, and make great pets.
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Festive Amazon (Amazona festiva) The Festive Amazon, also known as the Festive Parrot, is a medium-sized parrot found in South America. They are known for their green feathers and bright red patches on their wings. They are highly intelligent and social birds, and make great pets.
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Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica) The Orange-winged Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in South America. They are known for their green feathers and bright orange patches on their wings. They are highly intelligent and social birds, and make great pets.
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Saint Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii): The Saint Vincent Amazon is a small, rare parrot found only on the island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, a red forehead, and a blue crown. They are threatened due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
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Tucuman Amazon (Amazona tucumana): The Tucuman Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in northwestern Argentina. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, a blue crown, and a red forehead. They are listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
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White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons): The White-fronted Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a white forehead and a red patch on their shoulders. They are a popular pet species and known for their ability to mimic human speech.
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Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva): The Blue-fronted Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in parts of South America. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a blue forehead and yellow cheeks. They are a popular pet species and known for their affectionate personalities.
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Mealy Amazon (Amazona farinosa): The Mealy Amazon is a large parrot found in parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a yellow or white crown and a blue patch on their cheeks. They are known for their loud, raucous calls and are sometimes kept as pets.
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Guadeloupe Amazon (Amazona violacea): The Guadeloupe Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found only on the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a purple-blue crown and a white eye-ring. They are critically endangered due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
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Martinique Amazon (Amazona martinicana): The Martinique Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found only on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a purple-blue crown and a red patch on their shoulders. They are critically endangered due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
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Red-necked Amazon (Amazona arausiaca): The Red-necked Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in parts of Central and South America. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a red patch on their neck and a yellow or white crown. They are listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
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Red-spectacled Amazon (Amazona pretrei): The Red-spectacled Amazon is a small parrot found in parts of Brazil and Argentina. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a red patch on their forehead and a red ring around their eyes. They are listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
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Scaly-naped Amazon (Amazona mercenarius): The Scaly-naped Amazon is a medium-sized parrot found in parts of Central and South America. They have green feathers on their backs and wings, with a white forehead and a scaly pattern on the back of their neck. They are listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
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Saint Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii): The Saint Vincent Amazon, also known as the Saint Vincent parrot or Guilding's Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent. It has a green plumage with a red forehead, a bright yellow crown, and a blue-violet throat patch. They have a long tail with a red base, and their beak and feet are dark gray. They are known for their distinctive vocalizations and are considered an important cultural symbol in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
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Black-billed Amazon (Amazona agilis): The Black-billed Amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found only in Puerto Rico. They have a green plumage with a red forehead, white rings around their eyes, and a black beak. The tail feathers are blue on the upper side and red on the underside. They are known for their intelligence and have been observed using tools in the wild.
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Ecuadorian Amazon (Amazona lilacina): The Ecuadorian Amazon, also known as the Lilacine Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found only in Ecuador. They have a green plumage with a purple or lilac-colored patch on their foreheads. They have a short tail and a black beak. They are known for their playful and outgoing personalities and are often kept as pets.
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Saint Lucia Amazon (Amazona versicolor): The Saint Lucia Amazon, also known as the Jacquot, is a medium-sized parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. They have a green plumage with a red forehead and a distinctive blue crown. They have a short, square tail and a black beak. They are known for their strong flight abilities and their intelligence.
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Saint Croix Amazon (Amazona mathewsi): The Saint Croix Amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican subspecies, is a medium-sized parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Saint Croix. They have a green plumage with a red forehead and white rings around their eyes. The tail feathers are blue on the upper side and red on the underside. They are known for their vocalizations and are considered an important cultural symbol in the Caribbean.
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Vinaceous Amazon (Amazona vinacea): The Vinaceous Amazon, also known as the Vinaceous-breasted Amazon or the Peruvian Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found in parts of South America, including Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. They have a green plumage with a pinkish or vinaceous-colored breast. They have a long tail and a black beak. They are known for their intelligence and social nature.
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Kawall's Amazon (Amazona kawalli): Kawall's Amazon, also known as the Yellow-faced Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. They have a green plumage with a yellow face and a distinctive red patch on their foreheads. They have a short tail and a black beak. They are known for their intelligence and social nature, and are often kept as pets.
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Black-headed Amazon (Amazona parvipes): The Black-headed Amazon, also known as the Yellow-naped Amazon, is a medium-sized parrot found in parts of Central and South America, including Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. They have a green plumage with a black head, a yellow patch on their nape, and a red forehead. They have a long tail and a black beak. They are known for their intelligence and ability to mimic human speech.
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Blue-cheeked Amazon (Amazona dufresniana): The Blue-cheeked Amazon is a medium-sized parrot species found in parts of South America. They have a mostly green body with blue patches on the cheeks and forehead, as well as yellow markings on the wings and tail. They are social, intelligent, and playful birds known for their ability to mimic human speech. They breed between September and January, with females laying 2-3 eggs in a nest made from twigs and leaves. The species is not currently considered to be at significant risk of extinction