The Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) is an endemic bird of the archipielago of Puerto Rico. Another common name for the Puerto Rican Parrot is "Iguaca", an onomatopoeic name given by Taínos that resembled the sound the parrots make when they take flight. The Puerto Rican Parrot is one of the 10 most endangered bird species in the world.
| Systematik |
|---|
|
|
General description
The Puerto Rican Parrot has green feathers, a red forehead and white ovals around the eyes. The underside of its feathers, which can be seen during flight, are brightly blue. Sexual dimorphism is not present in this species. Puerto Rican parrots measure 30 cm and weigh 275 grams on average .
Habitat
When the Taíno Indians inhabited Puerto Rico the Puerto Rican Parrot could be found throughout the archipielago of Puerto Rico. Evidence has been found that suggests it may have also inhabited the island of Antigua. Today it is restricted to the Caribbean National Forest located on the eastern region of the main island.
Puerto Rican Parrots mainly nest in "palo colorado" trees (Cyrilla racemiflora). Other trees, such as the laurel sabino (Magnolia splendens) and tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa) are used to a lesser extent for nesting. These trees are mature cavity forming trees.
Reproduction
Puerto Rican Parrots reproduce once a year between the months of January and July. The female lays from 3 to 4 eggs which have an incubation period from 24 to 28 days. Chicks begin to fly from 60 to 65 days after they hatch.[1]
Puerto Rican Parrots are secondary cavity nesters meaning they nest in tree trunk cavities that cannot be made by themselves. They also mate for life.
Conservation efforts
The Puerto Rican Parrot is one of the 10 most endangered bird species in the world. It entered the United States Endangered Species list in 1967 and in 1968 recovery efforts began to increase the population in the wild. In 1972, when the estimated population was 16 individuals, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at the Luquillo Aviary began efforts to breed parrots in captivity. The total wild population is estimated at 44 individuals.[2]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Puerto Rican Parrots
- ↑ Puerto Rican Parrot - BirdLife Species Factsheet. BirdLife International, abgerufen Format invalid.
References
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Home
- Vorlage:Es icon Mark Oberle: Las aves de Puerto Rico en fotografías. Editorial Humanitas, 2003, ISBN 0-9650104-2-2.