Red-crowned Amazon
Amazona viridigenalis
Fairly large, bright green parrot endemic to humid tropical lowlands and foothills in northeast Mexico. Uncommon. Found in forests, edges, semiopen areas with scattered tall trees, and forest patches. Most often seen flying over early and late in the day, often fairly high and usually in pairs or loose groups made up of pairs. Best field mark is the pale, ivory-yellow bill that contrasts with the red forecrown. Like other similar parrots, in flight shows a red patch on the back of the wing. Introduced to California, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Hawaii.
Identification
Their appearance is generally green with the most notable features being a bright red forehead and crown, dark blue streak behind the eyes, and light green cheeks. It is not uncommon for red-crowned amazons to have splashes of red and blue under their wings and have light yellow-tipped tails. They have a white eye-ring which brings out their eyes. Their iris color can range from a bright yellow to a deep red, although juveniles' eyes are gray until maturity. Red-crowned amazons usually have horn colored beaks and ceres but these can sometimes have black highlights. Their legs are beige or gray. They are approximately 11–13 inches (28–33 cm) in length from the beak to the tip of the tail feathers with a wingspan of 15–16 inches (38–41 cm). Most Amazon parrots are not sexually dimorphic (the exceptions being the White-fronted Amazona albifrons, Yellow-lored Amazona xantholora, and Blue-fronted Amazona aestiva) so the only true way to identify gender is by genetic testing. Their average weight is 270 grams (9.5 oz).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Amazona viridigenalis
- Authority
- (Cassin, 1853)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Amazona
Range and habitat
Their natural range is across the lowlands of northeastern Mexico, and possibly the southern tip of Texas. Red-crowned amazons are a resident (non-migratory) species in their native range, but they can wander outside of their breeding range to follow a food source. Feral birds have bred in urban communities of southern California, southern Florida and the island of Oahu in Hawaii.<p>On June 4, 2019, the Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office of the US Fish & Wildlife Service announced to the public that the USFWS considers the red-crowned parrot native to Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. However, because parrots were not mentioned in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, birds in the Texas portion of their range are not entitled to USFWS protection, and must rely on enacted state and local laws. The USFWS estimated that there are roughly 700 wild red-crowned parrots in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas in 2019, and historical records place parrots in South Texas as early as 1885. The numbers of wild parrots in the United States now rivals populations in Mexico, due to their adaptation to urban life. However, the IUCN and other resources consider the bird to be non-native to all parts of the United States, including southern Texas. NatureServe considers the species to be "Imperiled" in Texas.<p>Populations of feral parrots exist in cities such as the Los Angeles metropolitan area in California, US, especially the San Gabriel Valley. Populations also exist in the San Diego area. Captured birds there escaped and became part of the urban ecosystem, starting in about the 1960s. The California Parrot Project says that red-crowned amazons are among the thirteen species of parrots with naturalized populations in California, including six in the genus Amazona. Los Angeles has been called a sanctuary for this endangered species, with a population of around 3,000 that is estimated to meet or exceed the remaining wild population in Mexico. Area residents say that although the birds annoy with their loud calls, they also inspire local pride and identity.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Behavior
They gather in large flocks being noisiest in the morning and evening. The characteristic screeching heard of these birds usually occurs when they travel in a large flock to a new feeding area. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, flowers and nectar. Red-crowned amazons nest in tree cavities, like most other parrots. Amazons are one of the easiest parrots to read the behavior of, as their eye color shows their pinning exceptionally well. Red-crowned amazons pin their eyes when they are excited, either positively or negatively, about something in their environment. It is easy to make out the dilations of the pupil against the bright iris. This pinning, combined with different behavioral signs, can let a fellow parrot or an owner know how the parrot is feeling. An angry parrot may fan its tail feathers while a content, affectionate parrot may purr, or bend their head down to be scratched.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sharp-tailed Ibis
Cercibis oxycerca
A medium-sized wading bird, mostly black with a red bill and legs. Relatively long tail projection imparts a long-bodied appearance which is enhanced by its short legs. At close range, note bare red throat and orbital skin. Occurs in open wetlands and seasonally flooded savannas, usually in pairs or small groups, probing in mud, shallow water, or soft ground for invertebrates and fish. Unusual, far-carrying call is a single, horn-like note, often given in duet by pairs, with one higher-pitched than the other; the overall effect is like the braying of a donkey. Larger and longer-tailed than Bare-faced Ibis, much more vocal, and does not occur in large groups.
White-throated Earthcreeper
Upucerthia albigula
Fairly common but local in higher foothills of the Andes. Found in scrubby valleys, often in villages and adjacent agricultural terraces. Usually seen as singles or pairs, feeding on the ground near cover or singing from a prominent rock or post. Very similar to Buff-breasted Earthcreeper. The two species often occur together and even nest in the same bank, but their songs differ. White-throated Earthcreeper also has slightly more contrasting plumage with a bolder pale eyebrow and a paler throat, but not strikingly white.
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Coracina novaehollandiae
Large slender bird, pale gray above, paler below, with distinctive black mask and throat. Immature paler, with dark gray mask rather than black face. Dark-morph White-bellied Cuckooshrike has more extensive black in face as adult, lacks mask in light morph and as immature. Often shuffles wings after landing. Inhabits many wooded habitats with clearnings, farmland, and urban areas with trees from Indonesia to Australia. Call is a worried-sounding, rattling trill.
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