Scaly-naped Amazon
Amazona mercenarius
Fairly large green parrot with short tail. The only member of the Amazona genus that is found at such high elevations in the Andes, from 1100-3400m. Almost all bright green with small red wing patches visible in flight; also note small red patches in tail. Sexes similar. Found in pairs or small flocks, typically seen flying over intact montane forest.
Identification
Adults are 34 cm (13.2) long and weigh 300 g (10.5 oz). Nominate forms are bright green in color, with dark green feathers tinged a dull blue/black and tipped with a dull black from the crown to the nape. The eyes are red with a pale gray eye-ring. The first to third secondary wing feathers have red bases, with the remaining wing feathers having green bases. The carpal edge is yellow mixed with red and orange. The tail is green with a yellow-green band, with the side tail feather being banded red and blue-purple and the outermost tail feather being margined with blue-purple. The bill is gray and horn in color. Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults, but possess a pale horn colored bill tinged with gray and brown eyes.<p>It makes a variety of calls and vocalizations. One of the most common is a repeated ka-lee.
Taxonomy
There are two subspecies:<p>A. m. mercenarius- the nominate subspecies.<p>A. m. canipalliata- It is similar to the nominate, but has hidden maroon marks instead of the red speculum at the bases of the first to third wing secondaries.
- Scientific name
- Amazona mercenarius
- Authority
- (Tschudi, 1844)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Amazona
Range and habitat
It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It occurs at elevations of 800–1,600 m (2,600–5,200 ft) above sea level. Within its range, it is usually the only species in its genus present. It inhabits hill and mountain forest in the upper tropical, subtropical and temperate areas. It also lives in open woodland containing large trees, open forest on ridges, and in wooded valleys and ravines in the paramo zone.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Behavior
It is usually found in pairs or small flocks of birds. Nesting areas usually in inaccessible places. It is described as a shy bird.<p>It has been observed feeding on figs and other fruit. It may also feed on maize. It feeds in the morning and afternoon, with large flocks of birds moving to and from communal roosts to feeding areas.<p>Its breeding season is from March to May. Nests are usually in inaccessible areas. Eggs are ovate and 35.5 mm × 28.0 mm (1.40 in × 1.10 in) in size.
Conservation
It is listed as least concern. It has a large range, and although its population has not been quantified, it is thought to be fairly common throughout its range. However, there is evidence that its population may be in decline.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ouvea Parakeet
Eunymphicus uvaeensis
Spectacular, relatively large mostly green parakeet with a black face, slight bit of red on the forehead, and thin but prominent “horns” consisting of a crest made up of a pair of black feathers. Typically found in remnant patches of high-quality forest, but visits more disturbed habitat nearby, especially where fruiting trees are present. Found only on Ouvea Island off New Caledonia. Note distinctive voice: relatively low-pitched, nasal trumpeting notes, notably lower-pitched than the voice of Coconut Lorikeet.
Ringed Warbling Finch
Microspingus torquatus
Striking tanager of open woodland, consisting of two relatively distinctive subspecies. Distinguished from other warbling-finches in range by its black breast band. Nominate torquatus is a resident of the southern Bolivian Andes, especially open scrub and cactus forest of the dry valleys. Migratory pectoralis shows a thicker breast band and darker undertail coverts, and breeds in the Pampas, Monte, and northern Chaco dry forests in north central Argentina, dispersing north to lowlands of W Paraguay and SE Bolivia.
Steely-vented Hummingbird
Saucerottia saucerottei
Fairly small dark hummingbird, green overall with dark blue tail. Straight, medium-length bill. Sexes similar. Usually seen feeding singly in flowers along forest edge, shrubby second growth, and gardens. Separated from Emeralds by longer bill, blue-and-white vent, bronze patch on rump, and less deeply forked tail.
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