Saint Lucia Amazon
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The Saint Lucia Amazon Parrot (Amazona versicolor) is native to the island of St. Lucia in the Lesser Antilles where they inhabit montane forest, tall secondary vegetation and humid forested slopes. At this point of time they are critically endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal trapping for the pet trade. There are now less than 400 birds existing in their natural habitat with a reduced distribution area of 22 square miles.
Description:
Their average length is 17 inches (43 cm) and the general plumage is green, with each feather having a blackish edging.
The lores, forehead and forecrown are violet-blue turning pale blue on the back of the crown. Most parrots of this species have a variable red band to the breast. The breast feathers have a reddish-brown edging. The abdomen is brownish-red with green base to feathers; and the lower abdomen and thighs are pale green.
The edge of the wings, the under wing-coverts, under tail-coverts and upper tail-coverts are yellowish-green. The primaries are violet-blue; secondaries are green with violet-blue tips; and the outer secondaries have a red speculum; while the primary-coverts are green with violet-blue tinge and the underside of the wings are greenish-blue.
The upperside of the tail-feathers with broad yellowish-green tips; the outer tail-feathers have a reddish base to the inner webs and bluish outer webs. The underside of the tail-feathers are pale green.
The bill is grey with a horn-colored base to upper mandible. The irises are orange. Their feet are grey.
Immatures have brown irises.
Aviculture:
These parrots are very rare in captivity and a lot is yet to be learned about their breeding requirements. It has been recommended that pairs are isolated in the breeding season as they tend to get aggressive towards other birds during this time. Breeding activities usually start in March and go on until August. The hen lays 1 to 2 eggs which she incubates for 24 days. The young fletch when they are 70 to 77 days old.
They are medium-noisy to noisy and hard chewers, therefore requiring a constant supply of branches to satisfy their urge to chew. Metal construction aviaries / flights are necessary with minimum dimensions being 30 x 9 x 8 ft (10 x 3 x 2.5 m) with adjoining inside area of 9 x 9 x 8 ft (3 x 3 x 2.5 m). A suitable nest box would be 14 x 14 x 48 ins (35 x 35 x 120 cm).
The recommended diet should include a quality seed mix of safflower, oats, wheat, hemp, buckwheat, canary grass seed, millet and some sunflower; also sprouted; small quantities of pine-nuts; some peanuts. In addition to greenfood; fruits (apples, bananas, oranges), vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers) and biscuits; as well as the regular vitamin and mineral supplements.
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 versicolor ... English: Saint Lucia Amazon ... Dutch: Sint Lucia Amazone, Blauwmaskeramazone ... German: Blauwmasken Amazone ... French: Amazone versicolor, Amazone de Santa Lucia 
CITES I - Protected Species Distribution: St. Lucia in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles
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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