Amazon of the Week 5/1/10

[Jayd]

Due to the positive responses to last week's Amazon of the Week thread, I have decided to change the format a little. I have included more pictures for those who enjoy browsing through pictures and more in-depth report for those who like to learn more details...So, without further ado...

The Cuban Amazon Parrots (Amazona leucocephala leucocephala) originate from the island of Cuba,, Isle of Pines. Other than Florida (due to its proximity to Cuba), these parrots are not easily found in the United States.

This species was once common throughout its native Cuba, but is now mainly confined to the forested areas of Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud.

At an average length of 32 cm or 12.8 inches, the Cuban Amazon Parrots is a medium-sized parrot, yet it is one of the smallest of the Amazon Parrots. They are about the same size as the White Fronted Amazon Parrot. The plumage of the Cuban Amazon is beautiful and is certainly striking in color. Immature birds have very little or no red on the abdomen and less pink on the chin, neck and face.

There is very little difference in the coloration and/or size between males and females. DNA sexing is the most reliable method to determine their sex.

There are about 10,000 individuals in Cuba including an estimated 1,100–1,320 on Isla de la Juventud. On the Cayman Islands the parrot lives in dry forest and on agricultural land. The population living on Grand Cayman numbers about 3,402 individuals (2006 survey), and the population on Cayman Brac consists of 400–500 individuals. The populations were estimated at 3,550 individuals on Abaco and 6,350 on Inagua in 2006.

The remaining numbers in the wild are so low that it is listed with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (C.I.T.E.S.), as an Appendix I species. Appendix I species are those that are close to extinction. They are also listed as an endangered species on the United States Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Endangered Species List.

* Due to their endangered status, a USFWS Captive Wildlife Permit is required for any international or interstate movement of these birds.

Of the Cuban Amazon Parrots, there are four subspecies of the Cuban Amazon and most authorities have recognize four subspecies of the Cuban Amazon, following the following the 1928 review by James Lee Peters.

* Amazona leucocephala leucocephala (Linnaeus, 1758), - nominate species - present throughout Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud

* Bahamas Amazon Amazona leucocephala bahamensis (H. Bryant, 1867), two populations in the Bahamas; one on the Abaco Islands and one on Great Inagua

* Cayman Island Amazon or Grand Cayman Amazon, Amazona leucocephala caymanensis (Cory, 1886), also called the Grand Cayman Island

* Cayman Brac Amazon or Cayman Parrots Amazona leucocephala hesterna (Bangs, 1916), Cayman Brac and Little Cayman islands

A. l. palmarum (Todd, 1916) was thought to be a separate subspecies living in western Cuba (east to Villa Clara Province) and Isla de la Juventud based on differences in the plumage, but in 1928 a re-evaluation indicated that the colour differences were due to age-related variations and that they showed no substantial differences to the specimens obtained from the rest of Cuba. The two populations are very similar genetically, but some authorities have maintained that A. l. palmarum is a valid subspecies. A recent review based on morphology and plumage supported the distinction of A. l. palmarum (at least if restricted to the population on Isla de la Juventud), it having a longer wing chord and metatarsus, and a larger rosy pink throat patch than A. l. leucocephala of the Cuban mainland. This review also revealed differences among the populations on the various islands in the Bahamas (some of which had already been pointed out earlier, leading to the suggestion of restricting A. l. bahamensis to the now extirpated population of the Acklins and Crooked Islands, while it was proposed that the two extant populations from the Abaco Islands and the Inagua Islands each represent a new subspecies. The recognition of three subspecies from the Bahamas is also supported by genetics.

http://www.avianweb.com/cubanamazon.html#cayman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Amazon

 

Edited May 1, 2010 by Jayd

[kittykittykitty]

Another beautiful Amazon with a very interesting read. Thank you, Jay!

[Luvparrots]

Lovely coloring on these amazon. Very nice report Jay! Thanks once again for preparing for us another interesting chapter into the amazon world.

[Talon]

WOW! hHat a beautiful amazon! I can't believe how much I hsave learned thanks to you Jay. Like many others, I didn't know there were more than just a few species of amazons...

[JillyBeanz]

I've seen these in the wild ~ they are fantastic birds and make such a noise at dusk! It was nice to sit there and listen to the parrots, mixed in with the grasshoppers, whilst sipping a Mojito! Oh, and it was also at the very time Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and Louisiana - so it was quite a "wet" holiday!!

 

Yet another great Amazon Jay ~ thanks very much xx

[Greywings]

They are lovely and not as noisy as many others. I was lucky enough to work at a Zoo that housed a pair.

[pearllyn]

The colours on these birds are just amazing. Thanks Jay for taking the time to bring us these photos and all this info.

Jill, you are so lucky to have seen these in real life!!

[Greywings]

To top it off the Sanctuary has a pair of Panama Amazons and they are adorable, another soft spoken Zon species. Here is a link to some photos they are in here with some of the rest. http://artcatdesigns.deviantart.com/gallery/#GulfCoast-ExoticBirdSanctuary

[Jayd]

Thank you all!!!!, and thank you Greywing for the site link,Check it out....Jayd