Jayd Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 This week's beauty is a 'Critically Endangered' Puerto Rican Amazon, Amazona vittata. The Puerto Rican Amazon also known as the Puerto Rican Parrot or Iguaca is indigenous to Puerto Rico. It measures 28–30 cm (11–12 in), and is predominantly green with a red forehead and white rings around the eyes. Its closest relatives are believed to be the Cuban Amazon (Amazona leucocephala) and the Hispaniolan Amazon (Amazona ventralis). The Puerto Rican Amazon reaches sexual maturity between three and four years of age. It reproduces once a year and is a cavity nester. Once the female lays eggs she will remain in the nest and continuously incubate them until hatching. The chicks are fed by both parents and will fledge 60 to 65 days after hatching. This parrot's diet is varied and consists of flowers, fruits, leaves, bark and nectar obtained from the forest canopy. The Puerto Rican Amazon is the only remaining native parrot in the country. Once widespread, the species has completely disappeared from Vieques and Mona Island, nearby to the main island of Puerto Rico. Conservation efforts began in 1968 and there is now only 34 to 40 individuals in the wild and 143 individuals in captivity. http://www.avianweb.com/puertoricanamazon.html http://www.parrots.org/index.php/encyclopedia/wildstatus/puerto_rican_amazon/ Jay Post edited by: Jayd, at: 2010/02/21 02:32<br><br>Post edited by: Jayd, at: 2010/02/21 02:33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Another beautiful representive of the amazon family, of course I haven't seen one that isn't but these threads are educating us on some of the many species there really are of these creatures, very beautiful coloring, another winner. :cheer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillyBeanz Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Gosh that is so critically endangered it is unbelievable. What a gorgeous bird - I am so grateful to you for publishing these weekly - I'm really enjoying learning about all the species of Amazon. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittykittykitty Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Each week there is another beauty, and another heartache about how endngered they are. Thank you jay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 I love them all!!!! Judy, 1st post Karma;) Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Another great Amazon thread Jay!!! We are all going to understand this fids pretty soon. Thank you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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