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;Amazona farinosa | ;Amazona farinosa | ||
| − | [[Image:Mealy_Parrot.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Mealy_Parrot.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by steve blain]] |
==mealy parrot== | ==mealy parrot== | ||
Depicted bird is ssp. A f virenticeps | Depicted bird is ssp. A f virenticeps | ||
| − | + | The Mealy Parrot occurs in tropical Central America and South America. It frequents humid to semi-humid forest (only rarely in deciduous forest) and plantations. In regions dominated by open/dry habitats it is restricted to gallery forest or completely absent. | |
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| + | It has a total length of 38-40 cm (14.96-15.75 in) and weighs 540-700 g (19.01-24.64 oz). Captives commonly are heavier. It is among the largest parrots in the Americas, mainly being surpassed by a the large macaws. As the other members of its genus, the Mealy Parrot has a relatively short, squarish tail. | ||
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| + | The Mealy Parrot is mainly green. The back and nape often have a whitish tinge; almost as if it had been covered in a thin layer of flour ("meal"; hence its name). The distal half of the tail is paler and more yellow than the basal half, thus resulting in a distinctly bi-coloured look. In flight it shows a bluish-black trailing edge to the wing and a conspicious red speculum. Occasionally a few yellow feathers are apparent on the top of the head and two subspecies, virenticeps and guatemalae, have a bluish-tinged crown. The orange eyes (typically appear dark from a distance) are surrounded by a relatively broad white eye-ring of bare skin. | ||
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| + | [edit] Behavior | ||
| + | The Mealy Parrot is social and can be found in pairs or in large flocks. They are even known to interact with other parrots, such as macaws. They are usually quiet but can be loud at dusk and dawn. They are know as one of the gentlest and calmest of all amazons. | ||
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| + | When Mealy Parrots reach sexual maturity they usually form monogamous relationships with a single partner. | ||
| + | Courtship usually begins in early spring. The hen will usually lay three eggs, which she incubates for 28 days. The male will eat for both himself and the female during the incubation period. He will regurgitate the food for the female and chicks to eat. | ||
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| + | The diet of the Mealy Parrot consists mostly of fruits, seeds, berries, nuts, blossoms, and leaf buds. | ||
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| + | It is fairly common in most of its range, but has declined locally due to habitat loss and trapping for wild parrot trade. Trafficking of the birds (as for exotic pets) is illegal in many nations, but the species are still smuggled into the United States from Mexico. In some areas Mealy Parrots are hunted as food. The Mealy Parrot sometimes feeds on human crops (especially corn) and may be considered a crop pest. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?si=Amazona+farinosa&x=15&y=4&perpage=15&sort=1&cat=all&ppuser=&friendemail=email%40yourfriend.com&password= View more images of Mealy Parrot in the gallery] | *[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?si=Amazona+farinosa&x=15&y=4&perpage=15&sort=1&cat=all&ppuser=&friendemail=email%40yourfriend.com&password= View more images of Mealy Parrot in the gallery] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 13:47, 22 May 2007
- Amazona farinosa
mealy parrot
Depicted bird is ssp. A f virenticeps
The Mealy Parrot occurs in tropical Central America and South America. It frequents humid to semi-humid forest (only rarely in deciduous forest) and plantations. In regions dominated by open/dry habitats it is restricted to gallery forest or completely absent.
It has a total length of 38-40 cm (14.96-15.75 in) and weighs 540-700 g (19.01-24.64 oz). Captives commonly are heavier. It is among the largest parrots in the Americas, mainly being surpassed by a the large macaws. As the other members of its genus, the Mealy Parrot has a relatively short, squarish tail.
The Mealy Parrot is mainly green. The back and nape often have a whitish tinge; almost as if it had been covered in a thin layer of flour ("meal"; hence its name). The distal half of the tail is paler and more yellow than the basal half, thus resulting in a distinctly bi-coloured look. In flight it shows a bluish-black trailing edge to the wing and a conspicious red speculum. Occasionally a few yellow feathers are apparent on the top of the head and two subspecies, virenticeps and guatemalae, have a bluish-tinged crown. The orange eyes (typically appear dark from a distance) are surrounded by a relatively broad white eye-ring of bare skin.
[edit] Behavior
The Mealy Parrot is social and can be found in pairs or in large flocks. They are even known to interact with other parrots, such as macaws. They are usually quiet but can be loud at dusk and dawn. They are know as one of the gentlest and calmest of all amazons.
When Mealy Parrots reach sexual maturity they usually form monogamous relationships with a single partner. Courtship usually begins in early spring. The hen will usually lay three eggs, which she incubates for 28 days. The male will eat for both himself and the female during the incubation period. He will regurgitate the food for the female and chicks to eat.
The diet of the Mealy Parrot consists mostly of fruits, seeds, berries, nuts, blossoms, and leaf buds.
It is fairly common in most of its range, but has declined locally due to habitat loss and trapping for wild parrot trade. Trafficking of the birds (as for exotic pets) is illegal in many nations, but the species are still smuggled into the United States from Mexico. In some areas Mealy Parrots are hunted as food. The Mealy Parrot sometimes feeds on human crops (especially corn) and may be considered a crop pest.
