Thick-billed Parrot

The thick-billed parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, is a medium-sized, vibrant green parrot with a robust black bill. It is adorned with a red forecrown, shoulders, and thighs, which contrast strikingly with its green plumage. Adults boast amber eyes, while the younger birds have brown eyes. Measuring 38 cm in length and weighing between 315 and 370 grams, this parrot can live up to 33 years in captivity.

Identification Tips

When observing the thick-billed parrot, look for its large black bill and the distinctive red patches on its head and body. The underwing presents a red leading edge, followed by a blackish-green stripe, then a yellow stripe, with the rest of the underwing displaying dark green. The tail is predominantly black. These features help distinguish it from similar species such as the military macaw and the lilac-crowned amazon.

Habitat

This parrot favors temperate coniferous forests, including pine, mature pine-oak, and fir forests, at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,600 meters. It thrives in the Sierra Madre Occidental in Chihuahua and Durango, Mexico.

Distribution

Historically, the thick-billed parrot's range extended into the southwestern United States, with sightings in Arizona, New Mexico, and possibly as far north as Utah. However, due to various human activities, it has been extirpated from the U.S. and is now found only in Mexico.

Behaviour

The thick-billed parrot is a highly social bird, often engaging in mutual preening and sharing food from their crop with flock members. They are known to be adept fliers and can travel vast distances in search of food. In the past, large congregations of over a thousand birds have been recorded.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the thick-billed parrot are reminiscent of a high-pitched macaw, with a variety of harsh, rolling calls that have been likened to human laughter. While they can mimic human speech to some extent, their loud calls have not made them popular in the pet trade.

Breeding

Thick-billed parrots nest in tree cavities, often utilizing old woodpecker holes. They have been known to rely on nesting sites created by the now-extinct imperial woodpecker. Their breeding is closely tied to the abundance of conifer cones.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet primarily consists of seeds from various pine species, with a preference for Mexican white pine. They also consume acorns and pine buds. The parrots are nomadic, moving with the availability of their food sources.

Conservation status

The thick-billed parrot is classified as Endangered by the IUCN and is listed on Appendix I of CITES, which prohibits commercial international trade. Habitat loss, illegal pet trade, climate change, and predation are the main threats to its survival. Conservation efforts include captive breeding programs and potential reintroduction projects.

Similar Species

The thick-billed parrot can be confused with the military macaw and the lilac-crowned amazon, but it can be distinguished by its size, bill shape, and the unique coloration of its plumage.