Family Parrots (Psittacidae)
Least Concern
Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis)
Taxonomy
French: Amazone à lores rouges German: Rotstirnamazone Spanish: Amazona frentirroja
Other common names:
Red-lored Parrot,
Yellow-cheeked Amazon
Taxonomy:
Psittacus autumnalis
Linnaeus
, 1758,West Indies; error = southern Mexico
.Molecular study suggests that this species (presumably with forms previously included within it) is closest to A. finschi and A. viridigenalis#R. Usually considered conspecific with A. lilacina and A. diadema. Race salvini fairly distinctive, lacking yellow in face of nominate (although intergradation exists across at least two countries), but red on inner webs of outer rectrices, indicated as a diagnostic character in some works#R, appears variable and is present in some Mexican autumnalis. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution
A. a. autumnalis
(Linnaeus, 1758) – Caribbean seaboard and slope from E Mexico (S Tamaulipas) to NE Nicaragua.
A. a. salvini
(Salvadori, 1891) – E Nicaragua S to SW Colombia and NW Venezuela (Sierra de Perijá; recorded also in W Andes of Mérida#R).
Descriptive notes
31–35 cm; 314–485 g. Similar to A. finschi but replaces deep red of lores and forehead with brighter red, lilac of crown with light mauve-blue, and... read more
Voice
A variety of screeches and calls, most loud and low-pitched, e.g. a high-pitched, pleasant,... read more
Habitat
Edges of humid evergreen to semi-deciduous lowland and foothill forest, gallery woodland and semi-... read more
Food and feeding
Fruits of palms (Cordia lutea, Spondias pourpurea), Cymbopetalum mayanum, Bursera simaruba, ... read more
Breeding
Season Feb–May in Middle America (e.g. Mar in Morelos, Apr in Oaxaca, SW Mexico, Feb–May in Belize, Mar in Guatemala, and Feb... read more
Movements
Nothing recorded; year-round resident in NE Mexico, but shows local seasonal habitat preferences on... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened. CITES II. Relatively common everywhere except NE Mexico and NW Venezuela, and in many parts of Central America the commonest amazon and sometimes one... read more
Race lilacina may be full species
<p>
An article that puts forward the elevation of race lilacina to full species status which would increase conservation profile </p>
<p>
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25353301</p>
<p>
"Announcement of the reclassification is expected in Spring 2014, when it will no longer be known as Amazona autumnalis lilacina and will be listed as A. lilacina."</p>
<p>
</p>