Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot

The most obvious features of this predominantly green parrot are its yellow head and the red patch, or speculum, on each wing.

Young birds lack these distinctive yellow and red markings, which become more prominent with age.

The stout, hooked beak is used not only for cracking nuts and seeds, but also for grasping, exploring, and climbing.

The feet, with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward, are highly adapted for grasping.

Diet

In the wild, yellow-headed parrots consume fruits, nuts, berries, blossoms, and leaf buds. They are also known to raid agricultural crops such as maize.

At the Aquarium, their diet includes fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and a commercially prepared pellet food.

Size

These parrots grow to a length of about 15 inches from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail. Females are slightly smaller than males.

Range

Mexico and northern Central America

Population Status

The population of yellow-headed Amazon parrots is rapidly declining due to extensive habitat destruction and capture for the pet trade.

Predators

Widespread deforestation, resulting in the loss of nesting habitat, and continued poaching and illegal trade are the primary threats to this species’ survival.

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