Amazon of the week..2/7/10

[Jayd]

Good Morning! It is that time again...here is another beautiful Amazon for you...
Enjoy! Jayd

Scientific name
Amazona brasiliensis

By Carlos
International School of Curitiba

The red-tailed Amazon, which is locally known as "Papagaio da Cara Roxa," is very endangered. It is the symbol of the Guaragueçaba Protected Area in the Atlantic Rainforest that is located on the Southern coast of Brazil It is disappearing because of the pet trade and habitat destruction. Nine out of ten parrots captured to be pets die before reaching their final destination. Most experts conclude that it is extremely hard to breed this parrot in captivity.
It is special because it can only be found in the Atlantic Rainforest. The red-tailed Amazon has become a symbol of the efforts to conserve one of the Earth's most biologically diverse ecosystems, the Serra do Mar and the Guaraqueçaba region of southern Brazil, which was declared a "World Heritage" site by the United Nations in 1992.

By Igor
International School of Curitiba, Brazil

The red-tailed Amazon (Amazona brasiliensis) is considered one of the most endangered Amazon parrots in the world. It is estimated that there are only 3000 to 4000 red-tailed Amazons left in the wild. They're dying because every year thousands of birds are smuggled across borders packed in large quantities into containers too small to hold them. Many die painfully during the journey from hunger, thirst, broken limbs, or simply from fright. Nine out of every ten captured die before they reach their final destination or buyer. The loss of their habitat and difficulties encountered breeding them in captivity has reduced their population greatly. They are only found around the tropical coastline of Brazil in the southern states of São Paulo, ParanÃ*, and Santa Catarina.
In 1991-92, the population had fallen below 2000 individuals. Following on-going conservation efforts, the most recent estimate suggests a population of around 6600, indicating that this species is recovering from earlier persecution.

Red-tailed Amazons weigh around 425 g (15 oz) and are approximately 35 cm (14 in) long. As expected from its common name, it has a broad red band on its tail, but as it largely is limited to the inner webs of the feathers, it is mainly visible from below or when the tail is spread open. Additionally, the tail has a broad yellow tip, and the outer rectrices are dark purplish-blue at the profile/red_tailed_amazon/
http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/rtAmazon.htmlbase. The remaining plumage is green, while the throat, cheeks and auriculars are purple-blue, the forecrown is red, and the retrices are broadly tipped dark blue. It has a yellowish bill with a blackish tip to the upper mandible, a pale grey eye ring, and orange irises. Juveniles have a duller plumage and a brown irises.

http://www.chesterzoo.org/AnimalsandPlants/Birds/Parrots/Red-Tailed%20Amazon%20Parrot.aspx
http://www.parrots.org/index.php/encyclopedia/


<br><br>Post edited by: Jayd, at: 2010/02/08 00:41

[pearllyn]

These birds are just so beautiful. It's just too sad that they are under threat because of mankinds greed.

[Jayd]

Karma, Pearllyn, Your words are so true...
Jay

[judygram]

That is a beautiful bird and it is unusual in that it's head seems to be smaller in comparison to it's body, unlike other species of amazons I have seen here.

Another gorgeous entry into the Amazon of the week series.

[luvparrots]

Another beautiful Amazon Jay. I am really enjoying this series of Amazons. Thank you for educating us all on what beauties Amazons are!

[kittykittykitty]

I think this one is my favorite.