Alternative name: Red-necked Amazon, Jaco
- Amazona arausiaca
Identification
The smaller of two endemic parrots on Dominica at 33-36 cm (13-14 inches).
It is mainly bright green with a bluish face, a red patch on the wing and yellow on the outer half of the tail (mainly visible from below) and on undertail coverts. There is a variable amount of red under the chin, absent in some birds. Legs are dark gray, but the bill is light, almost white.
Distribution
Dominica, mostly in the lower levels of wet forest some distance up the mountains, but more likely to be seen close to sea level than the Imperial Parrot.
Taxonomy
The closest relative seems to be the St. Lucia Parrot.
Habitat
Rainforest usually at heights around 300–800 m. Occasionally seen in more open areas.
Conservation
The Rare Species Conservatory Foundation has been working with the two parrot species on Dominica for several years now.
Behaviour
Diet
It feeds from native rainforest trees, but additionally can also utilize crop plants such as oranges and grape fruits.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved January 2015)
- For the latest conservation info http://www.rarespecies.org
