Red-lored Amazon
The Red-lored Amazon or Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis) is a species of Amazon parrot, native to tropical regions of the Americas, from eastern Mexico south to Ecuador, with a disjunct population in central Brazil, where it occurs in humid evergreen to semi-deciduous forests up to 1,100 m altitude.
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| Red-lored Amazon |
It is absent from the Pacific side of Central America north of Costa Rica. Not originally known from El Salvador, a pair - perhaps escaped from captivity - nested successfully in 1995 and 1996 in the outskirts of San Salvador and the species might expand its range permanently into that country in the future.
Description
The Red-lored Amazon is 32–35 cm (13 in) in length, with a weight of 310–480 g. The plumage is primarily green, with a red forehead and, in some subspecies, yellow cheeks (sometimes with red spots). The crown is blue. Adult males and females do not differ in plumage. Juveniles have less yellow on the cheeks, less red on the forehead, and dark irises.
image source: http://www.flickr.com/people/81491022@N00
Taxonomy
There are four subspecies:
- Amazona autumnalis autumnalis (Linnaeus, 1758). Caribbean coasts from eastern Mexico south to northern Nicaragua.
- Amazona autumnalis salvini (Salvadori, 1891). Northern Nicaragua south to Colombia and Venezuela.
- Amazona autumnalis lilacina (Lesson, 1844), the Lilacine Amazon. Western Ecuador.
- Amazona autumnalis diadema (Spix, 1824), the Diademed Amazon. Lower Rio Negro area, central Brazil.
Behavior
Food and feeding
Their food includes fruits, nuts and seeds. Like all parrots, Red Lored Amazons need a varied diet consisting of high quality pellets, a quality seed mix, and daily servings of fresh, bird-safe fruits and vegetables.
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| Red-lored Amazon |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokerbrit/
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| Red-lored Amazon |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokerbrit/
Breeding
The Red-lored Amazon nests in tree cavities. The eggs are white and there are usually three or four in a clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 26 days and the chicks leave the nest about 60 days after hatching.
Status
In some areas, notably parts of Mexico and Venezuela, the Red-lored Amazon has become rare through trapping for the cagebird trade. On the other hand, it seems to be able to adapt to human-altered habitat to a considerable degree.
Aviculture
Red-lored Amazons are fairly common pet parrots in the Americas. They can be devoted pets and some make fairly good talkers. Like most Amazon parrots they often have a tendency to vocalize loudly, and sometimes to bite. Their behavior ranges from being quiet and curious to being aggressive, this can all be changed by basic training when the bird is of young age.
Avocado and eggplant are poisonous to them (as they are for many parrots and other animals).
Avocado and eggplant are poisonous to them (as they are for many parrots and other animals).
