The red-crowned amazon, (Amazona viridigenalis) also known as red-crowned parrot, green-cheeked amazon, or Mexican red-headed parrot, is an endangered amazon parrot native to northeastern Mexico. The current native wild population of between 1,000 and 2,000 is decreasing. The main threats to its survival are the illegal export of trapped birds from Mexico to the United States and the destruction of habitat. They gather in large flocks being noisiest in the morning and evening. The characteristic screeching heard of these birds usually occurs when they travel in a large flock to a new feeding area. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, flowers and nectar. Red-crowned amazons nest in tree cavities, like most other parrots.
Their appearance is generally green with the most notable features being a bright red forehead and crown, dark blue streak behind the eyes, and light green cheeks. The length of the bird’s body is 33 cm, of which the tail is about 11 cm. Adult birds’ eyes are yellowish-orange, young birds’ – dark brown. The area from the eye to the top of the head is colored in blue and green. The tail feathers are green with yellow tips. The difference between the female and male is only a slightly smaller head and beak. Red color on the crown of the female is smaller than the male’s.
During breeding Amazons choose hollow in the hugh trees. The female lays two eggs and incubates them for 21 days. The young leave the nest after about two and a half months.
Amazons have a pleasant temperament, are playful and quickly become accustomed to humans and become tame. They are able to learn a human speach, if they are given due attention.
