Yellow-naped Amazon

Overview

The yellow-naped amazon or yellow-naped parrot (Amazona auropalliata) is a widespread amazon parrot that inhabits the Pacific coast of southern Mexico and Central America. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to a dramatic population decline driven primarily by deforestation and the illegal parrot trade.

Identification

• Green forehead and crown with a distinct yellow band across the lower nape and hindneck.
• Orange eyes with a dark gray beak that pales towards the base of the upper mandible.
• Dark gray feet.
• Highly complex vocalizations involving coordinated duetting between pairs, which can become so heated that physical fights occur at territory boundaries.

Habitat

Found along the Pacific coast from southern Mexico south to northern Costa Rica, inhabiting dry forest and mangrove environments in the tropics. The species nests in naturally occurring cavities in a wide variety of trees, with dead Coyols (palm trees) being a preferred species, although they do not excavate cavities themselves.

Diet

Feeds on nuts, berries, seeds, and fruit.

Did you know?

A rare blue mutation exists in which the entire body is turquoise in color.