Lilac-crowned Amazon
Amazona finschi
Relatively long-tailed, bright green parrot endemic to tropical lowlands and foothills in west Mexico. Uncommon. Found in forest, edge, and semiopen areas with forest patches. Most often seen flying overhead 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 yellowish bill that contrasts with the dark red forehead (lilac crown is very hard to see). Like other parrots in the same genus, in flight shows a red patch on the flight feathers.
Identification
The plumage of an adult lilac-crowned amazon is primarily green with yellowish underparts and black edging.The forehead is a maroon colour with a light blue-lilac neck, nape, and crown.The cheeks and ear coverts are a greenish yellow that lacks the edging that is present in most of the plumage.The primary feathers are dark blue with the secondary feathers being green while being tipped with the same dark blue colouring.Furthermore, the initial five secondary feathers have a bright red speculum on the edge of the feathers.The wing coverts, the underside of the flight feathers, and the tail are green while the tail is tipped with a yellowish colouring similar to that of the cheeks and ear coverts.Their beak, orbital rings, and legs are a pale brown-grey colouring.The irides of adult lilac-crowned parrots are amber-coloured.<p>Juvenile lilac-crowned amazons are visually similar to their adult forms except for minor differences. One difference is that the iris of juveniles is a dark brown as opposed to the amber colouring that is found in adults.The other major difference is that there less maroon coloured feathers on the forehead of juveniles. After about one-year juveniles begin to acquire these adult features.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Amazona finschi
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1864)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Amazona
Range and habitat
The lilac-crowned amazon's endemic range spans along the pacific coast of Mexico, beginning in southeastern Sonora and southwestern Chihuahua down to southern Oaxaca. In Sinaloa and northern Nayarit the geographic range of the lilac-crowned parrot is above 375 meters of elevation; the range does not descend to sea level until southern Nayarit, where it remains so through Jalisco and Oaxaca.<p>The lilac-crowned amazon's natural habitat in Mexico is often threatened. The decline in population size has been recorded in almost all of its natural habitat locations. Based on a collection of data and resident accounts, Amazona finschi population range has decreased by 20% due to habitat loss.<p>An increasingly growing population of approximately 100 individuals is found in Southern California, especially in the San Gabriel Valley and Orange Country.This increase could also be attributed to a more reliable source of measurement of population than in past years. These populations often are found in residential areas and occasionally in nesting groups with red-crowned parrots in native conifer forests or non-native captive plants.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Northern Brown-throated Weaver
Ploceus castanops
Fairly small and slim weaver with a slender bill and a pale eye. Breeding male is distinctive, with bright yellow overall plumage and a chestnut face. Females, non-breeding males, and juveniles are much duller, but show streaking on the back and are pale overall. Found mainly in wetlands, though they will range into drier surrounding country. Almost always in flocks. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chek” notes and a sizzling, “radio static” song. Plumages other than breeding male can be easily confused with other weavers, but can be identified by the pale eye, wetland habitat, and overall size and shape.
Purplish-backed Jay
Cyanocorax beecheii
Handsome, rather large jay. Common in tropical forest and woodland of northwest Mexico where it is endemic. Usually in small groups, which can be noisy and conspicuous or very quiet and easily overlooked. Deep purplish-blue back, wings, and tail do not contrast strongly with black head and body (can look blackish overall at a distance). Note piercing pale eyes and bright yellow legs and feet. Like other related jays, immature has yellow bill and dull eyes. Compare with San Blas Jay (both occur around town of San Blas, Nayarit, where, ironically, Purplish-backed is generally the only species found in town).
Red-fronted Rosefinch
Carpodacus puniceus
A large finch of extreme conditions, this is a breeder of sparsely vegetated, often barren environments such as glacier and cliff edges, rocky slopes, scrubby open meadows, and boulder fields; descends into open or scrubby habitat in the winter. Male is dark streaky brown with a crimson face and breast; female is streaky brown all over with no hint of a facial pattern. Large size and habitat serve to distinguish this from similar species.
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