ORDER

Psittaciformes (Parrots)

FAMILY

Psittacidae

HABITAT AND RANGE

Yellow crowns can be found as far north as Mexico and down to northern Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. They reside in tropical rainforests.

IDENTIFICATION

They have overall bright green plumage with a distinct yellow crown (hence the name). Their bills and feet are dark grey in color. There also may be some red and blue highlights in the tail and wing primaries. Yellow crowns grow to be about 14 inches in length with a wingspan of 8-8.5 inches.

DIET

Fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms and probably leaf buds.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Probably nests in tree hollows on a layer of chips and twigs. Female lays usually 3 glossy eggs. The eggs incubate for about a month and the hatchlings can leave the nest as soon as 3 months after hatching. Amazon parrots for lifelong monogamous pair bonds. Like larger parrots, they have long life spans reaching 70 years.

NOTES

They are strong fliers and can fly at high altitudes when traveling long distances. Call is a reiterated screeching but also a variety of metallic shrieks and whistling notes. Yellow crowns are known for their speaking ability. Loss of habitat through large-scale deforestation is the primary pressure adversely affecting these parrots. Generally abundant but in specific localities over hunted as pets. Illegal capture and sale of these birds contributes to declining wild populations.