Hispaniolan amazon

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Hispaniolan parrot
Amazona ventralis -Parque Nacional Jaragua, Republica Dominicana-8.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Amazona
Species:
A. ventralis
Binomial name
Amazona ventralis
(Müller, 1776)
Amazona ventralis map.svg

The Hispaniolan parrot (Amazona ventralis), also known as Hispaniolan amazon, is a species of psittaciform bird of the family Psittacidae endemic to Hispaniola, which includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its white forehead, light beak, white eye-ring, blue ear patch, and maroon belly patch are the main features that differentiate it from other amazons. Its body measures about 28 centimeters in length. A typical adult weighs 250g (8.75 oz). [2] [3]

Contents

This species was widespread in Hispaniola, but it suffered a significant decline during the twentieth century. Its range was mainly limited to inland mountains in the 1930s and is becoming more typical in metropolitan cities such as Santo Domingo. [4]

Taxonomy

German biologist Philipp Ludwig Statius Müller published the first scientific description in 1776. [5] In 1535, Spanish historian Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo published written descriptions of the Hispaniolan parrot. [6] [7] Oviedo describes them as Higuacas [8] name derived from the Taíno word for these birds. [9] Oviedo describes them:

In this island are three species of them large some, others minor and very small. The great ones are called by the Indians Higuacas, the middle long syllable [stressed], and these differ from those of the other islands in that they have a white forehead, not green or red. Those of this type in Cuba have a red forehead-heads. These are very talkative when taught to speak human words. The other the type, medium-sized, is called xaxabis. They are much greener and some have red featherers. They are very noisy, nervous and restless. They bite and are more irritable than the others. They never learn anything about the human speak no matter how much they are taught, but they are very talkative in his own language. Ten of these xaxabis attack a hundred higuacas and take them down and they never meet together in peace with each other. Each species comes in a flock to get together a lot and where one goes everyone goes, each species calls in its own way. The figs have a louder sound and deeper, the xaxabis sharper and higher launched. Although the Xaxabis do not speak human's words, still, placed in a cage is a pleasure to see them.

— Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo, De la natural hystoria de las Indias

Amazona ventralis, Amazona leucocephala, and Amazona vittata are all believed to be descendants of Amazona albifrons a Central American parrot. [10] Based on mitochondrial DNA, the colonization of Hispaniola by the Amazon parrots occurred circa 760,000 years ago. [11]

Description

They have bright green feathers with blue edges on most of them. They feature black ear coverts, some blue patches on the cheeks and crown, some red patches under the chin, and a noticeable white forehead and area surrounding the eyes. Additionally, they have red feathers on their abdomens, blue wind coverts, green outer web edges, yellowish green underfur, a green tail with yellow tips on the upper side, red outer tail feathers at the base, a horn-colored bill, and brown eyes with pale feet. Their bodies measure approximately 28 centimeters long. A typical adult weights 250g (8.75 oz), and they have a large, robust beak. [3] [12] [13]

Ecology

They inhabit a variety of wooded environments around 1,500 meters above sea level, from arid savanna palm groves, pine forests, and humid mountain forests. They frequently forage on cultivated lands, such as banana plantations and cornfields. They are found at all elevations in forests, groves, and thickets, wherever there are suitable fruits and seeds. Populations have been limited to forest reserves and national parks such as Jaragua, Cotubanamá, and Los Haitises. [14] [15] [16] They consume seeds or fruits of Caesalpinia , Psidium and Ficus. [17]

Population

The population is estimated to be around 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals. [18]

Breeding

Parrots form a couple for life, [19] and lay 2-4 eggs per clutch. They typically nest in cavities in trees up to 20 meters above the ground, but nests have been found as low as 1.5 meters. It has also been reported nesting on rocky ledges. Breeding between the months of February and June. Prospecting pairs have been observed in mid-April, suggesting that the season may extend further in the year. [20]

Threats

Traffickers removing chicks from their nests can destroy the cavities in the trees that the parrots reuse each season, reducing the likelihood of parrots being able to successfully nest. [14] Additionally, they are hunted for food, trapped for local trade, and are trapped for international trade as cage birds. It is also treated as a crop pest. [17]

The trade or possession of parrots is banned under Dominican Republic law. [21] [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-fronted amazon</span> Species of bird

The blue-fronted amazon, also called the blue-fronted parrot, the turquoise-fronted amazon and the turquoise-fronted parrot, is a South American species of amazon parrot and one of the most common amazon parrots kept in captivity as a pet or companion parrot. Its common name is derived from the distinctive blue/turqoise marking on its head just above its beak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-fronted amazon</span> Species of bird

The white-fronted amazon also known as the white-fronted parrot, or spectacled amazon parrot, is a Central American species of parrot. They can imitate a range from 30 to 40 different sounds. Like other large parrots, the white-fronted parrot has a long potential life span, usually around 40 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rican amazon</span> Parrot endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rican amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican parrot or iguaca, is the only extant parrot endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico, and belongs to the Neotropical genus Amazona. Measuring 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in), the bird is a predominantly green parrot with a red forehead and white rings around the eyes. Its closest relatives are believed to be the Cuban amazon and the Hispaniolan amazon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lilac-crowned amazon</span> Species of bird

The lilac-crowned amazon, also known as lilac-crowned parrot, Finsch's parrot or Finsch's amazon, is a parrot endemic to the Pacific slopes of Mexico. Also known as Finsch's amazon, it is characterised by green plumage, a maroon forehead, and a violet-blue crown and neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuban amazon</span> Species of bird

The Cuban amazon also known as the Cuban parrot and the rose-throated parrot, is a medium-sized mainly green parrot found in woodlands and dry forests of Cuba, the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Although they have been observed in the wild in Puerto Rico, they are probably the result of escaped pets, and no reproduction has been recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-lored amazon</span> Species of bird

The red-lored amazon or red-lored parrot is a species of amazon parrot, native to tropical regions of the Americas, from eastern Mexico south to Ecuador where it occurs in humid evergreen to semi-deciduous forests up to 1,100 m altitude. It is absent from the Pacific side of Central America north of Costa Rica. Not originally known from El Salvador, a pair - perhaps escaped from captivity - nested successfully in 1995 and 1996 in the outskirts of San Salvador and the species might expand its range permanently into that country in the future. This species has also established feral populations in several California cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-headed amazon</span> Species of bird

The yellow-headed amazon, also known as the yellow-headed parrot and double yellow-headed amazon, is an endangered amazon parrot of Mexico and northern Central America. Measuring 38–43 centimetres (15–17 in) in length, it is a stocky short-tailed green parrot with a yellow head. It prefers to live in mangrove forests or forests near rivers or other bodies of water. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the yellow-crowned amazon. It is a popular pet and an excellent talker. Poaching for the international pet trade has driven the species to near-extinction in the wild; around half of all wild-caught birds are thought to die in the process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuban macaw</span> Extinct species of macaw native to Cuba

The Cuban macaw or Cuban red macaw is an extinct species of macaw native to the main island of Cuba and the nearby Isla de la Juventud. It became extinct in the late 19th century. Its relationship with other macaws in its genus was long uncertain, but it was thought to have been closely related to the scarlet macaw, which has some similarities in appearance. It may also have been closely related, or identical, to the hypothetical Jamaican red macaw. A 2018 DNA study found that it was the sister species of two red and two green species of extant macaws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Vincent amazon</span> Species of bird

The Saint Vincent amazon, also known as Saint Vincent parrot, is a large, approximately 40 cm (16 in) long, multi-colored amazon parrot with a yellowish white, blue and green head, greenish-bronze upperparts plumage, and violet blue-green wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispaniolan Ornithological Society</span>

The Hispaniolan Ornithological Society, is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to nature conservation, particularly of birds and their habitats, on the island of Hispaniola. SOH's mission is to "conserve Hispaniolan birds and their habitats through research, community education, and professional training".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-cheeked amazon</span> Species of bird

The blue-cheeked amazon, also known as blue-cheeked parrot or Dufresne's amazon, is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Brazil, the Guianas, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawall's amazon</span> Species of bird

Kawall's amazon, also known as the white-faced amazon, white-cheeked amazon or Kawall's parrot, is a relatively large species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to the south-central Amazon. After not having been recorded in the wild for around 70 years, the species was rediscovered in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-spectacled amazon</span> Species of bird

The red-spectacled amazon is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tucumán amazon</span> Species of bird

The Tucumán amazon, also known as the Tucumán parrot, alder amazon, or alder parrot, is a vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Argentina and Bolivia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Lucia amazon</span> Species of bird

The Saint Lucia amazon, also known as the St. Lucia amazon and St. Lucia parrot, is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Saint Lucia in the Lesser Antilles and is the country's national bird.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinaceous-breasted amazon</span> Species of bird

The vinaceous-breasted amazon, also called the vinaceous-breasted parrot and occasionally simply vinaceous amazon/parrot is an endangered species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yucatan amazon</span> Species of bird

The Yucatan amazon, also known as the yellow-lored amazon, Yucatan parrot or yellow-lored parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispaniolan parakeet</span> Species of bird

The Hispaniolan parakeet is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. In the former country it is called "perico" and in the latter "perruche".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tres Marías amazon</span> Species of bird

The Tres Marías amazon is a subspecies of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to the Islas Marías off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-winged amazon</span> Central American species of parrot

The blue-winged amazon is a proposed Central American species of parrot living in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. It was described in 2017 in the journal PeerJ; however, its existence as a distinct wild species native to the Yucatan Peninsula has been questioned. A critique published in the journal Zootaxa identified numerous weaknesses with the description and suggested that the most plausible hypothesis was that the two specimens on which the description was based were hybrids.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2020). "Amazona ventralis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T22686215A179267983. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22686215A179267983.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Hispaniolan Amazon (Amazona ventralis) | Parrot Encyclopedia". www.parrots.org. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Hispaniolan Amazon (Amazona ventralis) - BirdLife species factsheet". datazone.birdlife.org. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Hispaniolan Amazon Long-term survival of the Hispaniolan Amazon and the Trogon Parakeet | Loro Parque Fundación". www.loroparque-fundacion.org. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "Amazona ventralis (Statius Muller, 1776)" . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "About the Natural History of the Indies". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Alas & Colores | Aves endémicas de La Española - Cotorra de La Española". alasycolores.embajadadominicana.es. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  8. ↑ ASALE. "higuaca | Diccionario de americanismos". «Diccionario de americanismos» (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "Alas & Colores | Aves endémicas de La Española - Cotorra de La Española". alasycolores.embajadadominicana.es. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  10. ↑ Kolchanova, S.; Komissarov, A.; Kliver, S.; Mazo-Vargas, A.; Afanador, Y.; Velez-Valentín, J.; de la Rosa, R. V.; Castro-Marquez, S.; Rivera-Colon, I.; Majeske, A. J.; Wolfsberger, W. W.; Hains, T.; Corvelo, A.; Martinez-Cruzado, J. C.; Glenn, T. C.; Robinson, O.; Koepfli, K. P.; Oleksyk, T. K. (2021). "Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Amazon Parrots in the Greater Antilles". Genes. 12 (4): 608. doi: 10.3390/genes12040608 . PMC   8074781 . PMID   33924228.
  11. ↑ jenteottie (16 July 2022). "How Amazon parrots spread across the Greater Antilles". Avian Hybrids. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Hispaniolan Amazon Facts and Information | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment". seaworld.org. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  13. ↑ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World; an Identification Guide . Illustrated by Frank Knight. Princeton University Press. ISBN   0-691-09251-6.
  14. 1 2 "No me de cotorra" (in European Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  15. ↑ León, Yolanda M.; Garrido, Esteban (26 August 2009). Monitoreo y Construcción de Nidos para la Protección de la Cotorra de La Hispaniola (Amazona ventralis) en el Parque Nacional Jaragua, República Dominicana. Informe Final de Proyecto (Report) (in Spanish). Grupo Jaragua, Santo Domingo.
  16. ↑ Collar, Nigel; Boesman, Peter F. D.; Sharpe, Christopher J. (2020). "Hispaniolan Parrot (Amazona ventralis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.hispar1.01.
  17. 1 2 Pets. "Hispaniolan Parrot (Amazona ventralis) - Exotic birds". Pets. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  18. ↑ "Hispaniolan Amazon (Amazona ventralis) - BirdLife species factsheet". datazone.birdlife.org. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  19. ↑ "Cotorra de la Española". Parque Zoológico Nacional | ZOODOM (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Dominguez, Henry Abreu (1 February 2022). "Cotorra". Fauna Dominicana (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  21. ↑ "Medio Ambiente incauta ejemplares de cotorras en peligro de extinción que iban a ser comercializadas de manera ilegal". Hoy Digital. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  22. ↑ "Grupo Jaragua - Deja eso". www.grupojaragua.org.do. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
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