Kawall's Amazon

Overview

Kawall's amazon (Amazona kawalli), also known as the white-faced or white-cheeked amazon, is a relatively large parrot in the family Psittacidae. Endemic to the south-central Amazon, the species was rediscovered in the 1980s after a 70-year gap in wild records.

Identification

• Medium-sized parrot measuring 35–36 cm in length.
• Mostly green plumage with a narrow white strip at the base of the bill and a narrow white eye-ring.
• Outermost flight feathers contain blue and red markings, with red near the base of the tail.
• Distinguished from the similar mealy amazon by its brighter green hue, white skin patch at the bill base, and vocalisations.

Habitat

Found in the Amazon basin of Brazil, specifically in Amazonas and Pará states, though possible wider distribution is suggested. The species inhabits lowland rainforest, with a preference for permanently flooded woodlands and riverine forest edges.

Diet

Forages on tree seeds, palm fruits, flowers, and young leaves. Nesting behaviour is tied to the season, as the birds restrict actual nesting to periods when the forest is flooded, despite searching for cavities during the dry season.

Did you know?

The species remained absent from the wild for approximately 70 years before being rediscovered in the 1980s following the appearance of unusual birds in captivity, which led to its recognition as a distinct species in 1989.