Amazona festiva – Festive Amazon
Southern Festive Amazon – Amazona festiva festiva
Photo: Copyright © by Sergio Gregorio @sergiogregoriophoto
Festive Amazon – Amazona festiva (Linnaeus, 1758) – is a large green parrot native to South America; two subspecies are recognized (see below). It is uncommon in captivity.
They are shy but can become very tame; they are very intelligent and talented at imitating words and simple sentences.
They have a very gentle temper and are rarely aggressive.
They are only moderate noisy but can be very noisy when travelling in flocks.
They love to gnaw with their strong beak so a solid aviary is recommended! Provide plenty of birds-safe fresh branches and gnawing toys.
The average lifespan is 40 years or more.
Festive Amazon is listed on CITES Appendix II and EU Annex B.
It is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
Description
The plumage is generally green with red lores and a narrow frontal band. Blue area above and behind the eyes. The lower back and rump is red. The tail has a yellowish tip. The primaries are dark blue. The bill is dark grey. The eyes are orange with grey eye ring.
Juveniles have similar but duller colours; the lower back is green with only few red feathers; brown eyes.
Length: 34-35 cm
Weight: 370 gram
Subspecies
Amazona festiva festiva (Linnaeus, 1758) – Southern Festive Amazon
- Habitat: Western Amazonia
- Nominate species, colours as described above. Dark red lores and narrow frontal band. Green cheeks.
Amazona festiva bodini (Finsch, 1873) – Northern Festive Amazon
- Also known as Bodinus Amazon
- Habitat: Eastern Colombia, eastern Venezuela, Guyana
- The red band extends to forehead and forecrown. Body colour more yellowish green. Blue cheeks extending over and behind eyes.
Habitat
South America: Eastern Colombia to Guyana and western Amazonia
Tree dwelling parrot located in moist lowland (below 500 m) forests and woodlands near rivers.
The birds are monogamous and are usually seen in pairs or in smaller groups. However, they can gather into larger groups in large trees with plenty of fruit.
Diet
Wild birds feed on seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, flowers and leaf buds.
Aviculture
The clutch usually has 2-3 eggs that are incubated about 28 days. The chick reach fledging age after 8 weeks.
Photo Credits
- Southern Festive Amazon : Copyright © by Sergio Gregorio @sergiogregoriophoto
- Northern Festive Amazon : Christopher Gabbard
Licensed under the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
Taxonomy
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Amazona
Synonyms
- Danish: Blåstrubet Amazone
- English: Festive Amazon, Festive Parrot, Red-backed Amazon, Red-backed Parrot
- French: Amazona festiva, Amazone tavoua
- German: Blaubartamazone, Blaubrauenamazone
- Portuguese: Papa-cacau, Papagaio-da-várzea, Tauá, Tavua
- Spanish: Amazona de Lomo Rojo, Amazona Festiva, Amazona festiva sureña, Lora Festiva, Loro Lomirrojo
- Scientific: Amazona festiva
IUCN Red List
BirdLife International 2022. Amazona festiva. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T22727626A209890756.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T22727626A209890756.en
Accessed on 20 May 2023
Northern Festive Amazon – Amazona festiva bodini
Photo: Christopher Gabbard, CC BY-SA 2.0