Scaly-naped amazon

The scaly-naped amazon (Amazona mercenarius), also known as the scaly-naped parrot, mercenary amazon, Tschudi's amazon, mountain parrot, or gray-naped amazon is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found along the Andes in the northern part of South America. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

Scaly-naped amazon
In the cloud forests of western Andes in Ecuador
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Amazona
Species:
A. mercenarius
Binomial name
Amazona mercenarius
(Tschudi, 1844)

Taxonomy and systematics

There are two subspecies:

A.m. mercenarius- It is the nominate form.

A.m. canipalliata- It is similar to the nominate, but has hidden maroon marks instead of the red speculum at the bases of the first to third wing secondaries.[2]

Description

Adults are 34 cm long and weigh 300g. Nominate forms are bright green in color, with dark green feathers tinged a dull blue/black and tipped with a dull black from the crown to the nape. The eyes are red with a pale gray eye-ring. The first to third secondary wing feathers have red bases, with the remaining wing feathers having green bases. The carpal edge is yellow mixed with red and orange. The tail is green with a yellow-green band, with the side tail feather being banded red and blue-purple and the outermost tail feather being margined with blue-purple. The bill is gray and horn in color. Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults, but possess a pale horn colored bill tinged with gray and brown eyes.[3]

Vocalizations

It makes a variety of calls and vocalizations.[2]

Behavior and ecology

It is usually found in pairs or small flocks of birds. Nesting areas usually in inaccessible places.[4]

Diet

It has been observed feeding on figs and other fruit. It may also feed on maize.[4]

It feeds in the morning and afternoon, with large flocks of birds moving to and from communal roosts to feeding areas.[4]

Breeding

Its breeding season is from March-May. Nests are usually in inaccessible areas. Eggs are ovate and 35.5 x 28.0 mm in size.[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It occurs at elevations of 800-1600 m above sea level.[4]

It inhabits hill and mountain forest in the upper tropical, subtropical and temperate areas. It also lives in open woodland containing large trees, open forest on ridges, and in wooded valleys and ravines in the paramo zone.[4]

Conservation

It is listed as least concern. It has a large range, and although its population has not been quantified, it is thought to be fairly common throughout its range.[5]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Amazona mercenarius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. https://www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/scaly-naped-amazon
  3. Forshaw, Joseph M. (2010-09-27). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-1-4008-3620-8.
  4. https://www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/scaly-naped-amazon
  5. International), BirdLife International (BirdLife (2016-10-01). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Amazona mercenarius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-08-12.


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