Gray ParrotPsittacus erithacusLarge gray parrot with a white face and red tail. The tail is bright red in most of the range, but brick red in the western part of the range. Main habitat is lowland and mid-elevation forest, but will sometimes also use gallery forest, secondary forest, mangroves, and cultivated areas, especially oil palm. Found in pairs or small groups. Very similar to Timneh Parrot, but little or no overlap in range, and separated by the bright red rather than brick red tail, as well as the black rather than pinkish top of the bill.Gives a wide variety of loud vocalizations including whistles, bell-like notes, and screeches.Psittacidae bird family
Order Psittaciformes · 10 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
Gray ParrotPsittacus erithacusLarge gray parrot with a white face and red tail. The tail is bright red in most of the range, but brick red in the western part of the range. Main habitat is lowland and mid-elevation forest, but will sometimes also use gallery forest, secondary forest, mangroves, and cultivated areas, especially oil palm. Found in pairs or small groups. Very similar to Timneh Parrot, but little or no overlap in range, and separated by the bright red rather than brick red tail, as well as the black rather than pinkish top of the bill.Gives a wide variety of loud vocalizations including whistles, bell-like notes, and screeches.
Great Green MacawAra ambiguusEnormous lime-green parrot with long tail; unlikely to be confused with any other bird. Blue flight feathers, red on tail and forehead. Prefers forested areas; often seen flying over in pairs or small flocks. Feeds on fruit; can be inconspicuous when feeding in canopy. Loud, raucous calls similar to other macaws.
Hyacinth MacawAnodorhynchus hyacinthinusUnmistakable huge macaw with cobalt blue plumage contrasting with a yellow eyering and bill base. Found at forest borders, in open woodland, and in savanna with palm trees, where mostly seen in pairs but also in small flocks. Feeds on palm fruits on the ground or in trees. Gives a series of loud croaking 'kraaa' notes.
Military MacawAra militarisSpectacular, huge, and long-tailed parrot, wiped out from most areas by capture for the pet trade. Found very locally in forested foothills, canyons, and adjacent semiopen areas with big trees. Usually in pairs or loose groups made up of pairs. Unmistakable, bright green overall with mostly blue wings from above and golden yellow below, and red-and-blue tail. Calls are deep, throaty roars that carry long distances.
Scarlet MacawAra macaoSpectacular, huge, and long-tailed parrot, wiped out from most areas by capture for the pet trade; attempts at reintroduction are taking place in some protected areas. Found very locally in lowland rainforest and adjacent semiopen areas with big trees; usually in pairs. Unmistakable, bright scarlet red overall with big yellow wing patches and mostly blue wings and rump. Calls are deep, throaty roars that carry long distances.
Sun ParakeetAratinga solstitialisStriking parakeet, mostly yellow with a red-orange face, green wing coverts, and blue-green flight feathers. Occurs in savanna regions adjacent to tall forest and is often observed near forest edge or along rivers. Highly social and usually found in groups of up to several dozen individuals. Feeds on fruit and flowers, commuting long distances between food sources. Noisy, especially in flight; screeching calls are particularly grating and unlike any other parrot in range. Brown-throated Parakeets in early morning or late afternoon sunlight may appear to glow orange on the face and breast and are sometimes mistaken for Sun Parakeets; note Sun Parakeet’s very different calls and yellow color extending over the shoulders and back.Sun ParakeetAratinga solstitialisStriking parakeet, mostly yellow with a red-orange face, green wing coverts, and blue-green flight feathers. Occurs in savanna regions adjacent to tall forest and is often observed near forest edge or along rivers. Highly social and usually found in groups of up to several dozen individuals. Feeds on fruit and flowers, commuting long distances between food sources. Noisy, especially in flight; screeching calls are particularly grating and unlike any other parrot in range. Brown-throated Parakeets in early morning or late afternoon sunlight may appear to glow orange on the face and breast and are sometimes mistaken for Sun Parakeets; note Sun Parakeet’s very different calls and yellow color extending over the shoulders and back.
Thick-billed ParrotRhynchopsitta pachyrhynchaVery local, long-tailed, and social parrot of mountains in northwest Mexico. Feeds in pine and pine-oak forests. Nests colonially in groves of giant aspens, whose soft trunks allow nest cavities to be excavated. Usually found in flocks, of 10–100 birds, less often in scattered pairs; often located by its far-carrying, raucous laughing calls. No similar species in its range; note the red forehead and small red shoulder patches. In flight shows a broad yellow stripe under the wings.
Yellow-headed AmazonAmazona oratrixScarce and local large green parrot of tropical lowland savannas and semiopen areas with forest patches and big trees (but often seen in cages). Like many parrots, usually seen in pairs, not mixing with other species. The head of Mexican birds has extensive yellow (less so on immatures) and the bill is pale. Birds in Belize and Honduras have less yellow on the head. This species is often trapped for the pet trade, which means it has been eliminated from much of its historic range.
Yellow-shouldered AmazonAmazona barbadensisLarge green parrot of desert Caribbean areas, including mainland. All green with yellow face, yellow shoulder patch, and orange wing patch. Sexes similar. A threatened species, uncommon in areas where it’s trapped for the pet trade but locally common in safer areas. Usually in pairs or groups, often large flocks at roosts. Always in desert scrub areas searching for cactus and other fruits, seeds, and nectar-rich flowers. Voice a harsh scream similar to other Amazona parrots but somewhat higher pitched. Similar to Orange-winged Parrot, which lacks yellow shoulders and has a blue area above eyes.