Yellow-headed Parrot

Amazona oratrix

The yellow-headed amazon (Amazona oratrix), also known as the yellow-headed parrot and double yellow-headed amazon, is an endangered amazon parrot of Mexico and northern Central America.

Interesting Information

  • The Yellow-headed Parrot was first described in 1887 by Robert Ridgway, an American ornithologist. It is also known as the Double Yellow-headed Amazon.

  • Their popularity as pets continues to fuel poaching efforts, which have nearly driven it to extinction in the wild. Their population has declined from 70,000 to 7,000 in the past two decades alone.

  • They have been kept as pets for centuries because they are among the parrots that "talk" best. Their vocal abilities are generally considered to be bested only by the African Grey Parrot.

  • A group of parrots has many collective nouns, including a "company", "pandemonium", "prattle", and "psittacosis" of parrots.

Description

Adult Description

  • Length: 15-17 inches (38- 43 cm)

  • Weight: up to 17.5 Ounces (500g)

  • Large green parrot with yellow head.

  • Flight feathers all tipped blue-black, patch of red on secondary feathers and at bend in wing.

  • Curved yellow beak, gray legs and feet.

Sex Differences

Sexes Similar

Immature

The immature bird has only a patch of yellow on the forehead with maybe a dappling of yellow across the rest of the head, and less red at the bend of the wing. The completely yellow head of mature birds takes place through molting over a period of about 4 years.

 

Photo taken from: The Sibley Field Guide by David Allen Sibley

©2002 - 2013 www.whatbird.com

Habitat

Found in pine and deciduous forests and adjacent savannahs.

Behavior

Yellow-headed Parrot: Moves in pairs or small flocks in search of fruits, seeds, and buds.

Food

Feeds on fruits, seeds, and buds.

 

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
     Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
    Subfamily: Psittacinae
Genus: Amazona
Species: Amazona oratrix
    Subspecies: Amazona oratrix belizensis
  Amazona oratrix oratrix
  Amazona oratrix tresmariae

Similar Species

  • Yellow-naped Parrot can be separated by its yellow nape and lack of red at bend in wing.

  • Yellow-crowned Parrot only has yellow on the forehead.

Bird Sound

"kya-a-a-ah"

Eggs look like this

Photo taken from: ARCTOS Collaborative Collection Management Solution