Amazona finschi - Lilac-crowned Amazon
Photo: Tom Benson – License: Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Lilac-crowned Amazon – Amazona finschi (Sclater, PL, 1864) – is a large green parrot from western Mexico.
They are more difficult to breed than other amazon species and is only recommended for experienced breeders. As a domestic bird it forms a strong bond to the owner and must have daily social stimulation to thrive. They are not as noisy as other amazon species. They are very active and curious birds. Expected lifespan is more than 60 years.
Lilac-crowned Amazon is listed on CITES Appendix I and EU Annex A!
It is categorized as Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
Description
Overall green plumage – the neck and underparts with black edges. Forehead is red, crown and neck is lilac. Orange eyes. The beak is horn colored and it is large and powerful. Grey legs.
The male and female looks similar. Juveniles have brown eyes and less red on forehead.
Length: 33 cm
Photo: Tom Benson – License: Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Habitat
Western Mexico in the lowlands as well as forested mountain areas; sometimes also visits cornfields and banana plantations.
Subspecies
None.
Diet
Wild birds feed on seeds, fruit, berries, blossoms and buds with new leaves. Also feed on cultivated crops like corn and bananas.
In captivity the diet should be based on pellets combined with fruit and vegetables and a small amount of good quality seed mix. Avoid seed mix with too much sunflower as Amazon parrots may tend to become overweight and should avoid fatty food like sunflowers seeds. Sprouted seeds however is a healty addition to the diet.
Aviculture
Only recommended for experienced breeders as they are more difficult to breed in captivity compared to other amazon species.
The clutch contains 1-4 eggs, that are incubated for 28 days; the chicks fledge from the nest after 8 weeks.
Taxonomy
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittacidae
- Genus: Amazona
Synonyms
- Danish: Lillakronet Amazone, Finsch’s Amazonpapegøje
- English: Lilac-crowned Amazon, Lilac-crowned Parrot, Finsch’s Parrot, Pacific Amazon, Pacific Parrot
- French: Amazone à couronne lilas
- German: Blaukappenamazone
- Portuguese: Papagaio-de-finsch
- Spanish: Amazona Guayabera, Amazona de Corona Violeta, Loro Corona Lila, Loro Corona-violeta
- Scientific: Amazona finschi
IUCN Red List
BirdLife International 2020. Amazona finschi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22686268A179290500.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22686268A179290500.en
Accessed on 12 March 2022
Photo: Tom Benson
License: Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 2.0