- Amazona vittata
Identification
Puerto Rican Parrot is Critically Endangered.
An almost entirely green parrot with a white eye-ring, red forehead and two-toned blue primaries as distinguishing features.
The most problematic feature is introduction of several parrot species. Among these, Red-crowned Parrot is probably the most similar species, with a larger red area in the head that covers much further back on the head, and with a red patch on the outer secondaries.
Distribution
Puerto Rico and Culebra
Taxonomy
Currently monotypic after the subspecies on Culebra became extinct.
Habitat
Currently limited to the mountains around the El Yunque park in Puerto Rico. Formerly in most forested areas of Puerto Rico and on nearby Culebra.
Behaviour
Like almost all parrots, the Puerto Rican Amazon is a herbivore. Its diet consists of flowers, fruits, leaves, bark and nectar obtained from the forest's canopy. Presently, the species has been recorded to consume more than 60 different materials. Historically, because it had a larger range, its diet was more varied. Among the items it presently consumes are the pericarp of the seeds of sierra palm (Prestoea montana), tabonuco (Dacrycodes excelsa), and negra lora (Matayba domingensis); the fruits of bejuco de rana (Marcgravia sintenisii), camasey (Miconia sintenisii), cupey de altura (Clusia gundlachii), and palo de cruz (Rheedia portoricensis); the flowers of bejuco de rana, achiotillo (Alchornea latifolia), and Piptocarpha tetrantha; the leaves and twigs of cupeillo (Clusia grisebachiana), laurel sabino (Magnolia splendens), caimitillo verde (Micropholis garciniaefolia), and Piptocarpha tetrantha; the bark of bejuco de rana, cupeillo, and cachimbo cumun (Psychotria berteriana); and the buds of cuaba (Inga vera).
Puerto Rican Amazons are secondary cavity nesters; they nest in tree trunk cavities that cannot be made by themselves. The species mainly nests in palo colorado trees (Cyrilla racemiflora) with other trees, such as the laurel sabino (Magnolia splendens) and tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa) used to a lesser extent. These trees are mature cavity forming trees which provide protection against predators and the entry of water. Recently, the species also nests in artificial wooden boxes designed as part of the recovery plan for the species. Nest height varies from 7 to 15 meters above ground. Males usually lead the search for nest sites and once a site is selected, the pair spend some time inspecting and cleaning it. No lining material is added to the nest.
Puerto Rican Amazons reach sexual maturity at 4 years of age in the wild and at 3 years in captivity. The species usually mates for life and normally reproduces once a year during the dry season, between the months of January and July. The female lays 2-4 eggs that she incubates exclusively for a period of 24 to 28 days. The chicks are fed by both parents until they leave the nest around 60 to 65 days after they hatch. Nonetheless, they remain dependent on their parents and travel with them until the next breeding season.
This is one of the rarest birds on the planet due to a variety of factors including habitat destruction, persecution by farmers, and trapping for the pet trade. In addition to the wild population there is a captive breeding program. However, recent results indicate that the current range never was good breeding habitat, and that the species will never be able to survive in the wild unless it is reintroduced in other parts of the island, and in particular into lowland forests.
A count early in 2007 estimated the total population (captive + wild) to be around 230 birds. The breeding season in 2007 was the best on record for the captive population, so the number is certainly higher at the moment. In addition, release has started in a second location in Puerto Rico, in an area that is currently closed to the public.
External Links
The following link will search for images of this species in the Gallery; none was found at the time of editing:
The following link is the official site for the Puerto Rican Parrot recovery program Link
