The Red-necked or Blue-faced Amazon Parrots
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The Red-necked Parrot (Amazona arausiaca), also known as the Blue-faced Amazon, is an Amazon parrot that is native to South America, specifically the Island of Dominica in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. They prefer lowland and montane forest areas to 2,600 ft (780 m).
With a population of less than 400 birds, this striking-looking parrot is very endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting.
They are mostly observed singly, in pairs or in small groups. Other than their early morning and late afternoon calls, they are very quiet and are difficult to detect as they are well camouflaged by plumage. They are agile climbers and are likely migrating seasonally depending on food supplies. They are spectacular flyers with powerful wing beats; occasionally interspersed with gliding phases.
Description:
This parrot averages 15.75 ins (40 cm) in length. Its plumage is primarily green, but the feathers of the nape, neck and back are tipped with dusky black. The forehead, crown, lores and cheeks are violet-blue, and the feathers at the middle of the lower throat are red, hence the name "Red-necked Amazon Parrot."
Their bills are horn-colored with grey tips. The irises are orange-red and their feet are grey.
Immatures birds have brown irises.
Call:
Their calls are usually harsh and croaking; occasionally sounds similar to those of humans.
Aviculture:
Breeding in aviculture has not yet been achieved, except for one hybrid Red-necked / Yellow-crowned Amazon that was raised in Dominica. This hybrid was then paired up with another red-necked amazon parrot and they successfully produced offspring. A roosting / nestbox should be provided with approximate dimensions of 14 x 14 x 48 ins (35 x 35 x 120 cm).
This is a medium-noisy to noisy parrot, whose calls are heard particularly in early morning. They are hard chewers and enjoy bathing.
The breeding season starts in March and goes on until about July. These amazon parrots nest in the hollows of tall trees. The average nest consists of 1 to 3 eggs.
They need spacious outside flights, with minimum dimensions of 30 x 9 x 8ft (10 x 3 x 2.5 m) with adjoining inside area 9 x 9 x 8 ft (3 x 3 x 2.5 m); metal construction essential as they are heavy chewers.
Diet:
- Their natural diet consists of seeds, fruits and berries; probably also buds and nuts.
- A typical captive diet would be fruit (such as apples, bananas, and oranges) and vegetables (including carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers). A good quality seed mix of safflower, oats, wheat, hemp, buckwheat, canary grass seed, millet and some sunflower should be provided. Sprouted seeds are valuable nutritional food sources. Small quantities of pine-nuts should be fed on a regular basis, as well as some peanuts. Greenfood is really important as well as adding a quality vitamin and mineral supplement to their diet.
Procurement & Care:
For information on purchasing this bird, please consider the following resources:
- What Bird Fits Into My Lifestyle?
- Procuring Birds
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here for info.
- NOTE: Aviculturists and breeders of Protected Species that take part in the preservation and conservation of critically endangered birds are encouraged to list their group information at no cost to them. Please e-mail me the information.
Please refer to the following websites for information:
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Housing your bird
- The 3 Key Elements to Your Pet Bird's Happiness and Health
- Caring for your companion bird
Species: Scientific: Amazona arausiaca ... English: Red-necked Amazon ... Dutch: Roodkeelamazone ... German: Blaukopfamazone ... French: Perroquet bouquet, Amazone cou rouge 
CITES I - Protected Species Distribution: Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
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