Blue-fronted Amazon Close up of the head of a blue-fronted Amazon, showing yellow and green coloration
Blue-Fronted Amazon

Scientific Classification

Common Name
blue-fronted Amazon
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittacidae (true parrots)
Genus Species
Amazona aestiva

Fast Facts

Description
The Blue-Fronted Amazon is a medium-sized parrot with a green body and a yellow face. They have blue feathers around the beak and yellow and red patches on the shoulders. Their feet and beak are dark gray.
Size
Adults can reach a length of 37.5 cm (15 in.).
Weight
400 to 550 g (14 to 19.25 oz.)
Diet
They feed on seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, and leaves.
Incubation
Approximately 28 days
Clutch Size
2 to 3 eggs
Fledging Duration
60 to 75 days
Sexual Maturity
Approximately 3 to 5 years
Life Span
Up to 60 to 80 years
Range
These birds can be found in Southwestern Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and northern Argentina up to an elevation of 1,600 m (5,250 ft.).
Habitat
These parrots are normally found in subtropical and tropical dry forest, moist lowlands, arid savannas and dry shrublands.
Population
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'fairly common”. There is some evidence of a population decline.
Status 
IUCN: Least Concern
CITES: Appendix II
USFWS: Not listed

Fun Facts

These parrots are capable of mimicking human speech and are noisy birds. When they were first discovered, they were called “Kriken”, which is French for "screechers."

Like most parrots, these birds are monogamous and bond with one partner for life.


Ecology and Conservation

These birds are messy eaters and play an important role in forest regeneration.

Their extremely strong beaks are perfectly adapted for extracting hard nuts and seeds.

In some areas, these birds are considered pests because their eating habits are destructive to crops.

The species was heavily traded until 1981 when it was listed as CITES Appendix II. They are also suffering from habitat destruction.

The U.S. Wild Bird Act forbids the commercial import of any bird listed by CITES which includes most parrots, which are endangered or threatened.


Bibliography

Bosch, K. and U. Wedde. Encyclopedia of Amazon Parrots. New Jersey. T.F.H. Publications: 1981.

Forshaw, J.M. Parrots of the World. New Jersey. T.F.H. Publications Inc. 1978.

Marrison, C. and A. Greensmith. Birds of the World. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc. 1993.

Perrins, C. (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Birds. New York: Facts on File Publications. 1985.

animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/search/simple

BirdLife International 2016. Amazona aestiva. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22686332A93107322. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22686332A93107322.en. Downloaded on 25 November 2019.