| Imperial Amazon | |
|---|---|
| At the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre Botanical Gardens, Roseau, Dominica | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Subfamily: | Psittacinae |
| Genus: | Amazona |
| Species: | A. imperialis |
| Binomial name | |
| Amazona imperialis Richmond, 1899 |
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The Imperial Amazon, Amazona imperialis, also known as the Imperial Parrot, Dominican Amazon, August Amazon, or Sisserou, is a green-and-purple-plumaged amazon parrot. It is the largest member in the diverse genus Amazona measuring 48 cm (19 in) in length and weighing up to 900 g (2 lbs) when fully grown. The Imperial Parrot has a green back, purple neck, green-tipped red tail and purple underparts. The sexes are similar.
The Imperial Amazon is endemic to mountain forests of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles,[1] where it is the national bird and is featured on the Dominican flag.[2] On Dominica, one of the last remaining habitats of the Imperial Amazon is in the slopes of Morne Diablotins, the highest volcanic peak of the Caribbean islands.[3] Its diet consists mainly of fruits and seeds. It nests in hollow trees covered with vines or plants.[4]
The Imperial Amazon has an Endangered status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The small population of 150 to 250 mature individuals is threatened by ongoing habitat loss, illegal trapping for the pet trade, deforestation, encroachment, competition with the Red-necked Amazon and owls for nesting,[5] and occasional hurricane-related damage. Much of the forest that the Imperial Amazon resides in is being turned into plantations.[4] It is listed on Appendix I of CITES making trade in wild-caught birds illegal and it is also protected by local laws.[1]
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