Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Scientific Name: Amazona aestiva

Range: Northeastern Brazil to Paraguay and Argentina

Habitat: Wooded habitats, from humid subtropical forest through deciduous chaco and cerrado woodlands, to strips of gallery forest in mostly open savanna or scrublands.

Diet: Wild: Fruits, berries, seeds, nuts, blossoms and leaf buds. At times they attack crops, causing considerable damage. Zoo: Fruits, berries, seeds

Gestation: Incubation - About 29 days

Litter: 8 oval eggs per clutch

Description: Length is about 14.5 inches. General adult coloration is green, the feathers edged with dusky black, particularly on the neck and back. The forehead and anterior lores is blue, the fore-crown yellow tinged with white. Immatures are generally like the adults, but with blue and yellow on the head much reduced. In many regions this is the most abundant Amazona species, and often one of the more numerous parrots. It is the best known of the Amazons and has a good reputation as a "talker." Though still common over much of its range, deforestation and capture for the pet trade have reduced their numbers. Pairs or small flocks of these birds spend most the day feeding and resting in the crown of trees, where their plumage blends extremely well with the foliage, so the only indication of their presence may be falling debris or pieces of fruit. In flight they are very conspicuous, due to their constant screeching. From a distance the loud calls given in flight resemble cries of "help . . . help." Nests are in hollows in trees, or less frequently in holes in cliff-faces. Several pairs may nest close together. Eggs are laid about the end of the first week in April, and the first young fledged about the middle of July.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Conservation Education Programs at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.