Birds · Psittaciformes · Psittacidae

Cuban Amazon

Amazona leucocephala

Near Threatened

It could become endangered in the near future if current threats go unchecked. See full glossary

The Cuban amazon, also called the rose-throated parrot, is a psittaciform bird of the family Psittacidae found in the forests of Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Sea. Although wild parrots have been seen in Puerto Rico, they are probably released pets and no breeding has been recorded.

Weight

240 g – 300 g

Size

28 cm – 33 cm

Lifespan

50 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Sighting difficulty

Moderate

RainforestTemperate forestIslandsHerbivore Diurnal Near Threatened Bird Rainforest Temperate forest Islands

3countries 6parks25same family

Fun facts

The Abaco subspecies, in the Bahamas, nests underground: it occupies cavities in the limestone ground instead of tree holes, the only parrot in the world that does so as a matter of course.
That underground nesting protects it from hurricanes but leaves it defenceless against feral cats, and cat control has been the decisive measure in its recovery on Abaco.
In Cuba it remains a traditional cage bird, and the taking of chicks from nests is the main cause of its decline on the island.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Dry and moist forest, palm groves and karst scrub of Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands
Sexual maturity: 3 years
Gestation / incubation: 26 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 3 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazona_leucocephala