Blue-cheeked Amazon
Amazona dufresniana
Generally uncommon parrot of lowland rainforest; also found in premontane forest at higher elevations in the tepui region and locally in savanna forest. Ecology and behavior similar to others in the genus. Note voice and burnt-orange forehead; diagnostic blue cheeks can be difficult to see. Feeds on fruit and flowers in the canopy; often seen commuting to or from roosts, or between feeding areas. Vocalizations are varied; most common call is a repeated yelp, similar to Orange-winged Parrot but somewhat lower-pitched and with a more liquid quality.
Identification
The blue-cheeked amazon is 34 to 37 cm (13 to 15 in) long and weighs 481 to 615 g (17 to 22 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults are mostly green. They are ochre on their lores and immediate forehead; the rest of the forehead and most of their crown are yellow with green tips on the feathers. Their lower half of their face, the sides of their neck, and the sides of their throat are lavender blue. Their nape and the rest of their upperparts and their underparts are green. The feathers of the nape and side of the neck have black edges that give a scalloped appearance. Their tail feathers are green with yellow tips that are wider on the outer feathers. The carpal edge of their wing is yellowish green and their primaries are black with blue outer webs. Their inner secondaries are green with pale blue tips and the outer ones bright yellow or orange, also with pale blue tips. Their iris is blackish, their bill dusky with a red base on the maxilla, and their legs and feed gray. Immature birds are similar to adults, but with less blue on the head and duller yellow on the crown.
Taxonomy
The blue-cheeked amazon is monotypic. Previously what is now the red-browed amazon (A. rhodocorythra) was treated as a subspecies of the blue-cheeked, and at other times both of them were treated as subspecies of the red-tailed amazon (A. brasiliensis).<p>The specific epithet of this species commemorates the French zoologist Louis Dufresne.[citation needed]
- Scientific name
- Amazona dufresniana
- Authority
- (Shaw, 1812)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Amazona
Range and habitat
The blue-cheeked amazon is found from extreme eastern Venezuela east through Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana and south slightly into northern Brazil. The species' habitat requirements are not well understood. In the Venezuela/Guyana tepui zone it occurs in humid lowland forest and the foothills. In Suriname it occurs during part of the year in forests on the coastal sand ridges. In elevation it ranges from sea level to (in Venezuela) 1,700 m (5,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The blue-cheeked amazon is thought to be generally sedentary but some make seasonal movements between the Suriname interior and coast. It generally travels in single-species flocks of up to about 30 birds.<p>The blue-cheeked amazon feeds mostly in the forest canopy. Its diet is almost unknown; it is assumed to include seeds, fruits, and blossoms like that of other Amazona parrots.<p>Almost all of the limited knowledge about the blue-cheeked amazon's breeding biology is from captive birds. In captivity their clutch size is three eggs and the incubation period is 23 to 26 days.<p>The blue-cheeked amazon is highly vocal except when feeding. On characteristic call is "a loud, raucous, and throaty queenk-queenk-queenk...with [a] distinctly nasal quality" which is given both from a perch and in flight. They also make "harsher notes and a gurgling, babbling song."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Cuban Trogon
Priotelus temnurus
A splendid medium-sized inhabitant of woodlands; often found in pairs. Its iridescent blue-green back, smooth gray chest, and brilliant red belly easily distinguish it from all other species in range. Usually sits motionless near the middle level of the forest, but when feeding (typically on flowers and fruit) hovers conspicuously. Often found by its loud calls, which are somewhat varied. One common call is a “cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu,” often accelerating; another is a resonant quavering “cu-u-low,” given several times in succession.
Henst's Goshawk
Astur henstii
A big, powerful goshawk. Adults are gray on the back with fine gray barring below; females much larger. Immatures have a brown back and thick streaks below. Endemic to Madagascar, where it is a scarce resident of all types of primary forest. Rarely sits in the open, and only occasionally soars. Territorial call is a loud repeated “khew” which is often given in flight. Males can be very hard to separate from similarly-sized female Madagascar Sparrowhawk. On Henst’s, look for fine bars on the undertail, a completely barred throat, and a central toe of normal length. Immatures may only be separable based on toe length. Also very similar to the rare Madagascar Serpent-Eagle. Subtle differences include slightly smaller size, evenly-spaced barring on the chest, thicker black bands on the tail, and an unbarred back.
Tschudi's Nightjar
Quechuavis decussata
Fairly common but nocturnal bird of lowland desert with scattered low bushes and agricultural areas with hedges and brush. Sleeps during the day on the ground or on a low shady perch; when flushed flies with quick stiff wingbeats and short glides. Note the broad rounded wings and snappy flight style, unlike pointed wings and erratic flight of Lesser Nighthawk, which occurs in the same areas. At night hunts from ground and low perches. Like all nightjars, may be located at night by brilliant amber eyeshine reflected in light beams.
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