Amazon parrot

Amazon parrot
Amazon parrots
Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Subfamily: Psittacinae
Tribe: Arini
Genus: Amazona
Lesson, 1830
Diversity
c. 30 species[1]
Festive Amazon (Amazona festiva), illustration by Keulemans, 1891

Amazon parrot is the common name for a parrot of the genus Amazona. These are medium-size parrots native to the New World ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Most Amazon parrots are predominantly green, with accenting colors that depend on the species and can be quite vivid. They feed primarily on seeds, nuts, and fruits, supplemented by leafy matter.

Many Amazon parrots have a remarkable ability to mimic human speech and other sounds. Partly because of this they are popular as pets or companion parrots, and a small industry has developed in breeding parrots in captivity for this market. This popularity has led to many parrots being taken from the wild to the extent that some species have become threatened. CITES treaties have made trapping wild parrots for the pet trade illegal to protect wild populations.

Contents

Classification

Further information: List of Amazon parrots

The taxonomy of the Yellow-crowned Amazon (Amazona ochrocephala complex) is disputed, with some authorities only listing a single species (A. ochrocephala), while others split it into as many as three species (A. ochrocephala, A. auropalliata and A. oratrix). The split is primarily based on differences related to extension of yellow to the plumage and the colour of bill and legs. Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA do not support the traditional split.[2]

Re-classification of the Yellow-faced Parrot

The Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops) was traditionally placed within this genus of Amazon parrots, but recent research has shown that it is closer to the Short-tailed Parrot and the species from the genus Pionus, resulting in it being transferred to the monotypic genus Alipiopsitta.[3][4]

Hypothetically extinct species

Populations of Amazon parrots that lived on the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe are now extinct. It is not known if they were separate species, subspecies, or if they originated form parrots introduced to the islands by humans, and so they are regarded as hypothetical extinct species. There are no surviving remains of them, and their taxonomy may never be established. Populations of several parrot species were described mainly in the unscientific writings of early travelers, and subsequently scientifically described by several naturalists (to have their names linked to the species that they were proposing) mainly in the twentieth century, with no more evidence than the earlier observations and without specimens.[5]

Aviculture

Orange-winged Amazons in a cage with toys

The Yellow-headed Amazon, Yellow-naped Amazon, Orange-winged Amazon, and Blue-fronted Amazon are some of the Amazon parrot species which are commonly kept as pets. Amazon parrots, together with macaws, and the African Grey Parrot are all known for their exceptional vocal abilities, playfulness, and dexterity with their feet. Hand reared parrots are very loyal companions, and they can live for 50 years or more in captivity. However, some amazons—even well trained ones—can be aggressive during mating season. In order to maintain health and happiness, pet parrots require much more attention than domesticated animals such as dogs or cats. They require communication, manipulative toys, supervised time out of the cage, and so forth, or they may develop self-destructive behaviors. They have a strong, innate need to chew, and thus require safe, destructible toys.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ ITIS standard report page: Amazona record last updated 1998 (URL accessed May 22, 2006)
  2. ^ Eberhard, J., & E. Bermingham. 2004. Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Amazona ochrocephala (Aves: Psittacidae) Complex. Auk 121(2): 318-332
  3. ^ Duarte JMB and Caparroz R (1995) Cytotaxonomic analysis of Brazilian species of the genus Amazona (Psittacidae, Aves) and confirmation of the genus Salvatoria (Ribeiro, 1920). Braz J Genet 18:623-628.
  4. ^ Russello, M.A. & Amato, G (2004) A molecular phylogeny of Amazona: implications for Neotropical parrot biogeography, taxonomy, and conservation. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 30: 421-437.
  5. ^ a b c Fuller, Errol (1987). Extinct Birds. Penguin Books (England). pp. 131. ISBN 0670817972. 
  • Caparroz, R. and J.F. Pacheco, 2006: A homonymy in Psittacidae a new name for Salvatoria Miranda-Ribeiro. Ararajuba: Rev. Brasileira de Ornitologia. V. 14, n 2, pp. 91–93.

External links

v · d · eAmazon parrots (genus: Amazona)
Species
Cuban Amazon (or Rose-throated Amazon) • Yellow-billed Amazon (or Jamaican Amazon) • Hispaniolan Amazon • Puerto Rican Amazon • Yucatan Amazon (or Yellow-lored Amazon) • White-fronted Amazon • Black-billed Amazon • Tucuman Amazon • Red-spectacled Amazon • Red-crowned Amazon • Lilac-crowned Amazon • Red-lored Amazon (supporting page: Lilacine Amazon) • Blue-cheeked Amazon • Red-browed Amazon • Red-tailed Amazon • Festive Amazon • Yellow-shouldered Amazon • Blue-fronted Amazon (or Turquoise-fronted Amazon) • Yellow-crowned Amazon (supporting page: Panama Amazon) • Yellow-naped Amazon • Yellow-headed Amazon • Kawall's Amazon • Orange-winged Amazon • Scaly-naped Amazon • Mealy Amazon • Vinaceous-breasted Amazon (or Vinaceous Amazon) • St. Lucia Amazon • Red-necked Amazon • St. Vincent Amazon • Imperial Amazon
Hypothetical
extinct species

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • amazon parrot — tikrosios amazonės statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Amazona angl. amazon; amazon parrot vok. Amazone, m rus. амазон, m pranc. amazone, f ryšiai: platesnis terminas – aros siauresnis terminas – baltakaktė amazonė siauresnis …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • Amazon parrot — any of several tropical American green parrots of the genus Amazona, popular as pets. * * * …   Universalium

  • Amazon parrot — any of several tropical American green parrots of the genus Amazona, popular as pets …   Useful english dictionary

  • Amazon — or Amazons may refer to: * Amazons, members of a legendary nation of female warriors in Greek mythology * more generally, any woman warrior ** History of women in the military ** Dahomey Amazons, an all female regiment of the African kingdom of… …   Wikipedia

  • amazon — tikrosios amazonės statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Amazona angl. amazon; amazon parrot vok. Amazone, m rus. амазон, m pranc. amazone, f ryšiai: platesnis terminas – aros siauresnis terminas – baltakaktė amazonė siauresnis …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • Parrot — Par rot (p[a^]r r[u^]t), n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf. {Paroquet}, {Petrel}, {Petrify}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) In a general sense, any bird of the order {Psittaci}. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Parrot coal — Parrot Par rot (p[a^]r r[u^]t), n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf. {Paroquet}, {Petrel}, {Petrify}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) In a general sense, any bird of the order {Psittaci}. [1913 Webster] 2 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Parrot fish — Parrot Par rot (p[a^]r r[u^]t), n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf. {Paroquet}, {Petrel}, {Petrify}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) In a general sense, any bird of the order {Psittaci}. [1913 Webster] 2 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Parrot green — Parrot Par rot (p[a^]r r[u^]t), n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf. {Paroquet}, {Petrel}, {Petrify}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) In a general sense, any bird of the order {Psittaci}. [1913 Webster] 2 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Parrot weed — Parrot Par rot (p[a^]r r[u^]t), n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf. {Paroquet}, {Petrel}, {Petrify}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) In a general sense, any bird of the order {Psittaci}. [1913 Webster] 2 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”