Puerto Rican Amazon

The Puerto Rican amazon, or iguaca as it is known in Puerto Rican Spanish, is a vibrant and predominantly green parrot that graces the skies of Puerto Rico. With a length of 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in), this bird is characterized by a striking red forehead and white rings encircling its eyes. It is the only extant parrot endemic to the Puerto Rican archipelago.

Identification Tips

To identify the Puerto Rican amazon, look for its green plumage with blue-edged feathers, dark blue primary flight feathers, and a paler yellow-tinged underbelly. The red patch on its forehead and the white eye rings are distinctive. Both sexes appear similar, with no sexual dimorphism, and the iris is brown, the bill horn-colored, and the legs yellow-tan.

Habitat

This parrot favors mature or old-growth forests within Puerto Rico, where it nests in tree trunk cavities. It is not found in dwarf or secondary forests due to its specific nesting requirements.

Distribution

Historically widespread, the Puerto Rican amazon's range has been drastically reduced. It was once found throughout Puerto Rico and on nearby Vieques and Mona Islands. Today, its range is limited to certain protected areas, including the El Yunque National Forest and the Rio Abajo State Forest.

Behaviour

The Puerto Rican amazon is diurnal and can be secretive when nesting, using its green plumage as camouflage. It is vocal and noisy when outside the nest, and pairs often stay together along with their fledged young.

Song & Calls

The amazon's vocal repertoire includes a take-off squawk and a loud "bugle" call, which varies in meaning depending on the context.

Breeding

Puerto Rican amazons typically mate for life, with breeding occurring once a year. They are cavity nesters, with the female incubating 2–4 eggs for 24 to 28 days. Chicks are fed by both parents and fledge after 60 to 65 days, though they remain dependent for some time.

Similar Species

The Puerto Rican amazon is closely related to the Cuban amazon and the Hispaniolan amazon, which share similar color patterns and white eye rings.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Puerto Rican amazon is varied, including flowers, fruits, leaves, bark, and nectar. It feeds primarily in the forest canopy and is known to consume over 60 different plant materials.

Conservation status

The Puerto Rican amazon is critically endangered, with a wild population that has fluctuated greatly due to habitat loss, hunting, and natural disasters. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding and release programs, are ongoing to save this species from extinction.