Red-necked Amazon

Amazona arausiaca

A chunky and gregarious resident of wet upland forests; often found in flocks of up to 15 birds. Its green body, bluish head, and orange-red spot on upper chest readily separates this species from the Imperial Parrot, the only other parrot sharing its range, as well as parrot species commonly kept in captivity. The largely blue underwing, often seen in flight, is also distinctive. Calls include a shrill “chur-lu-weeek” with the final note louder and higher pitched, plus a shrill, almost trilled, “cureeek.”

Identification

The red-necked amazon gets its name because of its orange and reddish feathers found on its lower throat.<p>The bird also sometimes has blue feathers on its forehead, around the eyes and its head. Although, the blue feathers verge to wither away to gray feathers at its upper breast. The rest of its body is covered in deep bottle green feathers and a wide band of yellow color runs down to the tip of its tail. The beak and feet are both grey. These birds average about 40 cm in length and can weigh between 550 and 650 g.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Amazona arausiaca
Authority
(Müller, PLS, 1776)
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittacidae
Genus
Amazona

Range and habitat

Migration
Nomadic movement

Conservation

Population trend
rising

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Baird's Sandpiper

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

Long-winged, long-distance migrant similar to White-rumped Sandpiper but with warmer buffy-tan plumage. Elongated body gives a horizontal impression when foraging; unique flattened oval shape when seen head-on. Black bill and brown rump. Breeding adults rather pale with large black spots on back. Crisp juveniles show neat scaly pattern on wings and back and have a warm buffy face and neck. Often with flocks of other small shorebirds, but prefers drier habitats, such as the grassy edge of a mudflat, seaweed-covered upper portion of a beach, or sod field. Breeds in the Arctic tundra; winters in South America.

Short-toed Rock-Thrush

Short-toed Rock-Thrush

Monticola brevipes

A small, compact rock-thrush with short legs. The male has a gray back and a diagnostic pearly blue-gray crown. Although some individuals (particularly farther east) have darker crowns, they retain the pale eyebrow, always giving the head a two-toned appearance. The female is differentiated from other rock-thrushes by her squat shape and white throat bordered by dark stipples. Pairs and loose groups inhabit rocky country in arid bushlands, where they perch conspicuously on taller bushes, wires, and poles. The male Sentinel Rock-Thrush has a more upright posture than Short-toed Rock-Thrush, with uniform blue-gray head coloration that extends lower on the breast. The male Cape Rock-Thrush is much larger and has a brown back.

Timor Heleia

Timor Heleia

Heleia muelleri

A rather distinctive small green songbird with a yellow face, a bold black line through the eye, black scalloping on the crown, and streaked light yellow underparts. Juveniles plainer, with little or no streaking on crown and underside. Found in pairs or groups in forest within lowlands and foothills, usually occupying the canopy or subcanopy. Combination of streaked underside and absence of white eye-ring is unique among white-eyes in range. Call is a penetrating, rowdy monotonous squabbling: “wikikikikikikiki….”. Also gives a weak “seer” call.

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