Amazona ochrocephala - Yellow-crowned Amazon
Yellow-crowned Amazon (right) sleeping next to Yellow-headed Amazon (left)
Yellow-crowned Amazon – Amazona ochrocephala (Gmelin, JF, 1788) – is a large green parrot with a characteristic yellow forehead and relatively short square tail.
The yellow patch on the forehead can vary in size, which may cause confusion with Yellow-naped Amazon, Yellow-headed Amazon and Southern Mealy Amazon.
They are very social and usually seen in pairs or flocks with larger gatherings at communal roosts or feeding areas.
The lifespan is up to 50-60 years.
The Yellow-crowned Amazon is listed in CITES Appendix II and EU Annex B.
Description
Overall green plumage with yellow forehead and forecrown. The green feathers on nape and back are edged with black. Red bend of wing. The base of the first five secondaries is red – the other secondaries have a green base. Green thighs washed with yellow. Orange eye with white eye ring white. The bill is dark grey with orange sides of upper mandible.
The juveniles have similar colors but are duller; less yellow on forehead and less red on bend of wing; the bill is dark brown/grey; eyes are brown.
Size: 31-38 cm
Weight: 380-500 g
Subspecies
- Amazona ochrocephala ochrocephala (Gmelin, JF, 1788) – Yellow-crowned Amazon
Habitat: Eastern Colombia, Venezuela through the Guianas and northern Brazil.
Description: Yellow forehead and forecrown; red bend of wing; green thighs washed with yellow. - Amazona ochrocephala nattereri (Finsch, 1865) – Natterer’s Amazon
Habitat: Southern Colombia, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia and western Brazil.
Description: Overall darker green; green cheeks, ear coverts and throat washed with blue; sometimes a tint of blue on underparts. - Amazona ochrocephala panamensis (Cabanis, 1874) – Panama Amazon / Panama Yellow-crowned Amazon
Habitat: Western Panama to north-western Colombia.
Description: Yellow forehead, forecrown and lores; blue/green hindcrown to area above eyes; minimal red on bend of wing; thighs usually green but may be washed with yellow; smaller in size. - Amazona ochrocephala xantholaema (von Berlepsch, 1913) – Marajo Yellow-crowned Amazon
Habitat: Endemic to Marajó Island off northern Brazil in the Amazon delta.
Description: Yellow from forehead to nape; yellow ear coverts and upper cheeks; yellow thighs; larger in size
Taxonomy
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Amazona
Synonyms
- Danish: Gulisset Amazone
- English: Yellow-crowned Amazon, Yellow-crowned Parrot, Yellow-fronted Amazon, Panama Amazon, Panama Yellow-fronted Amazon, Natterer’s Amazon, Marajo Yellow-crowned Amazon
- French: Amazone à front jaune
- German: Gelbscheitelamazone
- Portuguese: Papagaio-campeiro
- Spanish: Amazona Real
IUCN Red List
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22686346A131919991.en
Downloaded on 9 July 2021
Amazona ochrocephala panamensis
Habitat
The habitat ranges from western Panama to eastern Peru and northern Bolivia.
They prefer lowland tropical forests, woodlands, mangroves and savannas but can also be seen on cultivated land and suburban areas.
Diet
Wild birds feed on ripe fruit from various cacti, seeds, nuts and berries. Also feeds on maize.
Aviculture
Yellow-crowned Amazon is common (nominate subspecies) in aviculture; the A.o.panamensis subspecies is uncommon.
A vertical box about 30 x 30 x 60 is used as nest box.
The clutch usually contains 3 eggs that are incubated for 26 days. The chicks are fledged after 9-11 weeks.
