Amazon parrot
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Amazon parrots
| image = amazon.parrot.750pix.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Chordata
| classis = Aves
| ordo = Psittaciformes
| familia = Psittacidae
| genus = Amazona
| genus_authority = Lesson, 1830
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
Many, see text.
Reference: [1]
as of 2003-01-02
}}
An Amazon parrot is a large parrot of the genus Amazona native to the New World ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean.
Most amazons are predominantly green, although the accenting colors can often be quite vivid and vary depend on the species. Amazons, like all parrots, are zygodactyl, having 4 toes on each foot - two front and two back. They feed primarily on nuts and fruits, supplemented by leafy matter.
Image:Yellow-naped-amazon.jpg Several amazon species are commonly kept as companion animals, including the Yellow-headed Parrot, Yellow-naped Parrot, and Blue-fronted Parrot.
Amazons are usually known for their exceptional vocal abilities, playfulness, and dexterity with their feet. They are very loyal, loving companions, and somewhat like having a two year old human child in ability and temperament for 50 plus years. However, some amazons are known to be aggressive (usually during their mating time) and they all require a lot of attention when kept as pets. Parrots require more attention and care than domesticated pets such as dogs or cats, and are not for the inexperienced bird owner. All parrots need a lot of stimulating activities to keep from being bored and terribly destructive to themselves and their surroundings. In particular, since Amazons are cavity nesters in the wild, their desire to chew wood is strong, and they need to be provided with destructible toys to satisfy this innate urge.
Classification
- Cuban Parrot, Amazona leucocephala
- Yellow-billed Parrot, Amazona collaria
- Hispaniolan Parrot, Amazona ventralis
- Puerto Rican Parrot, Amazona vittata
- Yellow-lored Parrot, Amazona xantholora
- White-fronted Parrot, Amazona albifrons
- Black-billed Parrot, Amazona agilis
- Tucuman Parrot, Amazona tucumana
- Red-spectacled Parrot, Amazona pretrei
- Red-crowned Parrot, Amazona viridigenalis
- Lilac-crowned Parrot, Amazona finschi
- Red-lored Parrot, Amazona autumnalis
- Blue-cheeked Parrot, Amazona dufresniana
- Red-browed Parrot, Amazona rhodocorytha
- Red-tailed Parrot, Amazona brasiliensis
- Festive Parrot, Amazona festiva
- Yellow-faced Parrot, Amazona xanthops
- Yellow-shouldered Parrot, Amazona barbadensis
- Blue-fronted Parrot, Amazona aestiva
- Yellow-headed Parrot, Amazona oratrix
- Yellow-crowned Parrot, Amazona ochrocephala
- Yellow-naped Parrot, Amazona auropalliata
- Kawall's Parrot, Amazona kawalli
- Orange-winged Parrot, Amazona amazonica
- Scaly-naped Parrot, Amazona mercenaria
- Mealy Parrot, Amazona farinosa
- Vinaceous Parrot, Amazona vinacea
- St. Lucia Parrot, Amazona versicolor
- Red-necked Parrot, Amazona arausiaca
- St. Vincent Parrot, Amazona guildingii
- Imperial Parrot, Amazona imperialis
Note: the Amazona ochrocephala species historically contained many sub-species, such as auropalliata and oratrix. However, new taxonomic classification puts those in their own species.de:Amazonenpapageien fr:Amazone (oiseau) nl:Amazonepapegaai sv:Amazonpapegojor