Yellow-naped amazon
| Yellow-naped amazon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| At Roatan Tropical Butterfly Garden, Honduras | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Superfamily: | Psittacoidea |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Subfamily: | Arinae |
| Tribe: | Androglossini |
| Genus: | Amazona |
| Species: | A. auropalliata |
| Binomial name | |
| Amazona auropalliata (Lesson, 1842) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata | |
The yellow-naped amazon or yellow-naped parrot (Amazona auropalliata) is an amazon parrot sometimes considered to be a subspecies of yellow-crowned amazon, Amazona ochrocephala (Gmelin, 1788).
Deforestation is reducing the number of these parrots in the wild together with illegal removal of young for the pet trade. This parrot readily mimics sounds, and in captivity this includes human speech, which is probably the reason it is popular in aviculture. Like all parrots, however, mimic abilities vary greatly between individuals.
Description
The yellow-naped amazon is distinguished by its green forehead and crown and a yellow band across the lower nape (back part of neck) and hindneck. The beak is dark gray and is paler towards the base of the upper mandible. The feet are also dark gray.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies are recognized:
- Amazona a. auropalliata: Southern Mexico to north-western Costa Rica.
- Amazona a. parvipes: Mosquito Coast in eastern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua.
- Amazona a. caribaea: Bay Islands, Honduras.
Range and habitat
It is found along the Pacific coast from southern Mexico south to northern Costa Rica.
In common with many parrot species, it feeds on nuts, berries, seeds, and fruit.
In captivity
Yellow-naped amazons are highly sought after for their talking ability and playful personalities. They are also known for nest-protective behaviors that often lead them to bite. This is particularly common in, but not limited to, males during the breeding season.
A rare blue mutation of the yellow-naped amazon is known to exist, in which the entire body is turquoise in color.[2]
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Amazona auropalliata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ↑
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