Blue-fronted Amazon

Taxobox
name = Blue-fronted Amazon
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Amazona"
species = "A. aestiva"
binomial = "Amazona aestiva"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Blue-fronted Amazon ("Amazona aestiva"), also called the Turquoise-fronted Amazon and Blue-fronted Parrot, is a species of Amazon parrot and one of the most common Amazon parrots kept in captivity as a pet or companion parrot. Its common name derives from the distinctive blue marking on its head just above its beak.

Taxonomy

The Blue-fronted Amazon was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, "Systema Naturae". [la icon cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=C | authorlink=Carolus Linnaeus | title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. | publisher=Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). | date=1758] Its specific epithet is the feminine form of the Latin adjective "aestivus", "of the summer". [cite book|author = Simpson DP| title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary | publisher = Cassell Ltd.| date = 1979|edition = 5|location = London|pages = 883| isbn=0-304-52257-0] Two subspecies are recognised: [Forshaw, p. 557]

*"A. a. aestiva" is found in Eastern Brazil.Forshaw, p. 558]

*"A. a. xanthopteryx" occurs from northern and eastern Bolivia southwards through southwestern Mato Grosso in Brazil, to Paraguay and Argentina. The red on the wing is partly or wholly replaced by yellow plumage.

Description

The Blue-fronted Amazon is a mainly green parrot about 38 cm (15 in) long. They have blue feathers on the forehead above the beak and yellow on the face and crown. The extent of the blue feathers is variable. Male and female are identical in external appearance. Juveniles are duller and have dark irises.

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Blue-fronted Amazon extends over Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. It is found in forests and palm groves.

A small feral breeding population is also present in the greener regions of Stuttgart in Germany.Fact|date=August 2008

Breeding

The Blue-fronted Amazon nests in tree cavities. The oval eggs are white and measure around 38 x 30 mm. There are usually three to five in a clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 27 days and the chicks leave the nest about 60 days after hatching.cite book |first = David| last = Alderton | title = The ultimate encyclopedia of caged and aviary birds | isbn = 184309164X |pages= p. 230| publisher = Hermes House |location = London, England | year = 2003]

tatus

The status of this species is evaluated as Least Concern by BirdLife International. However, there is evidence of a population decline, and this species has been heavily traded: since 1981 when it was listed on CITES Appendix II, 413,505 wild-caught individuals have been recorded in international trade (UNEP-WCMC CITES Trade Database, January 2005).

Aviculture

The Blue-fronted Amazon is commonly seen as a pet, both in South America and other parts of the world. Their talking ability is ranked third among birds when compared to African Grey Parrots and Yellow-naped Amazons. These birds are not only excellent talkers but are proficient singers as well. They are not normally shy and will perform for strangers. Although they tend to be very interactive, blue fronts also tend to play with toys contently for several hours at a time. Pets require plenty of toys, perches, and climbing room. As with other birds, under no circumstances are blue front parrots to eat avocado. Blue-Fronted Amazons, particularly the males, can be aggressive in spring, the mating season.

Gallery

References

Cited text

*cite book| author=Forshaw, Joseph M. and Cooper, William T. |year=1978| title=Parrots of the World| edition=2nd|publisher=Landsdowne Editions| location=Melbourne| isbn=0-7018-0690-7

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1678&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/amazons/bluefront.php Animal-World.com listing]
*
* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=2366 Blue-fronted Amazon videos] on the Internet Bird Collection