Amazon of the Week 09/06/2010 - Yellow Shouldered Amazon

[GoDiego]

Introducing this weeks Amazon of the Week:

 

The Yellow Shouldered Amazon (Amazona barbadensis) also known as the Yellow Winged Amazon

 

Distribution / Range

 

Restricted to small coastal area in the North of Venezuela and the islands of Blanquilla, Margarita and Bonaire. Although never proven to naturally occur in Curaçao, an 18th century historical source reports the former presence of a wild parrot population. Others think that this parrot was introduced to Curaçao at a later date along with Aruba. Unfortunately the Yellow Shouldered Amazon is now extinct in Aruba and also possibly on Curaçao.

 

This Amazon inhabits xerophytic vegetation (Suculant Plants) areas, and frequents desert shrublands dominated by cacti and low thorn bushes or trees. They have also been reported around cultivated areas and around mangroves. They can be found up to 450m (1476ft) on Margarita and maybe even higher on the Mainland.

 

There population in the wild is decreasing due to Tourist and associated developments destroying their habitat. This is especially true on Margarita, where the principal breeding, roosting and feeding sites are threatened by unregulated mining for construction materials. This Amazon is also widely exploited for the pet trade and in some areas is hunted fro allegedly damaging crops. On Bonaire, natural vegetation has been heavily degraded for charcoal production, and through extensive grazing by goats has drastically reduced natural food sources for these Amazons. Because of these threats and their decreasing numbers they have been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

 

Natural Habitat and Breeding

 

These lovely Amazons are usually found in pairs, families; also in larger flocks up to 100. They nest in cavities of trees, cacti or cliffs generally from March to September but this varies depending on weather conditions. They tend to roost communally in tall trees or rock outcroppings, with groups of up to 700 birds recorded.

 

Their clutches range from 2 to 3 eggs, these eggs hatch in around 26 days and the chicks normally fledge at 9 weeks of age.

 

Wild Diet

 

They mainly feed on fruits from several wild trees/bushes, seeds, nectar rich blossoms, cactus tops and cactus fruit. They have also been known to take crops such as Mango, Maize and even toxic avocado.

 

Description

 

The Yellow Shouldered Amazon averages between 31-33cm (12.4 inches) in length from head to the tip of the tail. An average adult weight is 270g (9.4oz).

 

Both adults have a prodminately green body with fine black scalloping on the feathers. A white forhead, forecrown and lores. A yellow hindcrown to the area around the eyes and upper cheeks. The thighs and the bend of the wing ("shoulder") are yellow but both can be difficult to see. The throat and the belly often have a bluish tinge. Like with most members of the genus Amazona, it has broad dark blue tips to the remiges and a red wing-speculum. It's beak is horn coloured.

 

There calls are loud and raucous and tend to be less musical than other Amazons.

 

By: Carolina

 

 

 

 

Related Links:

http://www.parrots.org/index.php/encyclopedia/profile/yellow_shouldered_amazon/

http://www.avianweb.com/yellowshoulderedamazon.html

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1677&m=0

Edited September 6, 2010 by Jayd

[Luvparrots]

Thanks Carolina!!!! My, my but there are oodles of different amazons!!!!

[Jayd]

Wonderful work Caroline, Thank you for helping to inform every one about thess fantastic Amazons.....Jayd