Saint Vincent Amazons
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The Saint Vincent Amazons (Amazona guildingii) are native to the Island of St.Vincent in the Carribean Lesser Antilles, where they can be found in humid forests at levels mainly between 1,000 and 2,300 ft (300 m and 700 m).
This species is very endangered, with a population of fewer than 500 birds remaining in the wild, because of habitat destruction, hunting and illegal trapping for the pet trade.
Description:
This amazon averages 15.75 ins (40 cm) in length from head to tail.
The forehead, forecrown, lores and eye area of this amazon parrot are yellowish-white merging into orange to back of crown, cheeks and throat. The ear-coverts and rear of cheek are violet-blue. The nape is green to olive-green with bluish tinge and edged with black.
The breast and abdomen are bronze-brownish, each feather with narrow black edging. In many birds, the abdomen has a greenish tinge. The under tail-coverts are greenish-yellow. The back, shoulders, lower back and upper tail-coverts are bronze-brown to olive-green.
The upper tail-coverts have green tips. The edge of wings is orange. The outer primary-coverts are dark green with green to violet-blue outer webs. The inner primary-coverts are green. Primaries are black with green to orange base with outer webs becoming centrally yellow to orange. The tips to outer webs have a violet-blue tinge. The outer secondaries are violet-blue with orange base. The inner secondaries are dark green with violet-blue tips. The secondary-coverts are orange-brown to olive-green with green base. The median and lesser wing-coverts are bronze-brown to olive-green. The lesser under wing-coverts are bronze-brown to green with green to pale blue edging. The greater under wing-coverts and underside of flight-feathers are yellow to green.
The tail-feathers are violet-blue with orange base and broad yellow to orange tips.
The bill is horn-colored and the irises are orange-red. The feet are grey.
Immature birds as adult, but their plumage is generally lighter and duller. Their irises are brown.
Call / Song:
Their calls are a loud quaw sound when flying, and occasionally shrill shrieking or chattering. Their calls can be heard mostly in the early mornings or late afternoons.
Diet:
Their natural diet consists of seeds and nuts, fruits, berries, flowers and buds.
In Captivity:
- seed mix of safflower, oats, wheat, hemp, buckwheat, canary grass seed, millet and some sunflower; also provide sprouted; small quantity of pine-nuts regularly; some peanuts;
- fruit (apple, banana, orange) and vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.); and greenfood
- biscuits
- vitamin and mineral supplements
- inactive amazons are inclined to obesity, and their diet may need to be adjusted accordingly.
Breeding / Aviculture:
They are particularly active in the early mornings and afternoons. They quickly grow trusting with their care taker. They are medium-noisy to noisy -- which also should be considered if neighbors are close-by. They enjoy bathing and are heavy chewers. This needs to be taken into consideration as far as aviary construction is concerned. Plenty of branches should be provided to them to satisfy their urge to chew.
Once acclimatized, these amazons become very hardy and easy-to-care for and breeding has been achieved on several occasions.
Their breeding season starts in spring. The hen usually lays a clutch of 2 to 3 eggs, of which 1 to 2 eggs are frequently infertile. She incubates the eggs for 26 days and the young fledge the nest when they are about 9 to 10 weeks old.
At a minimum, they should be in an outside flight 18 x 6 x 8 ft (6 x 2 x 2.5 m) with adjoining inside area 6 x 6 x 8ft (2 x 2 x 2.5 m). As they are heavy chewers, metal construction is essential. The nestbox dimensions should approximate these: 16 x 16 x 32 ins (40 x 40 x 80 cm).
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 guildingii ... English: Saint Vincent Amazon ... Dutch: Sint Vincent Amazone, Koningsamazone ... German: Königsamazone ... French: Perroquet amazone de Guilding 
CITES I - Protected Species Distribution:
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.
Photo contributions are welcome!
