Imperial amazon

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Imperial amazon
Amazona imperialis -Roseau -Dominica -aviary-6a-3c.jpg
At the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre, Roseau, Dominica
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Amazona
Species:
A. imperialis
Binomial name
Amazona imperialis
Richmond, 1899
Amazona imperialis map.svg

The imperial amazon (Amazona imperialis) or Dominican amazon, also known as the sisserou or sisserou parrot, is a parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica. [3] It has been designated as the national bird of Dominica, [4] and features on the national flag of Dominica. The species is critically endangered. In 2019, it was estimated there were only about 50 mature individuals left in the wild.

Contents

Description

Illustration of the imperial amazon parrot by English zoologist David William Mitchell Amazona imperialis Mitchell.jpg
Illustration of the imperial amazon parrot by English zoologist David William Mitchell

The imperial amazon measures an average of 48 cm (19 in) in length. [5] With males weighing an average of 900 g (32 oz) and females 650 g (23 oz), the species is large for its genus. [5]

Being of the family Psittacidae, the sisserou has zygodactyl feet and a thick, hooked bill with a muscular tongue. [6] This bill is fashioned in such a way that, using its hinged mandibles and tongue, the sisserou can easily move food around in its mouth. [6]

Males and females have identical plumage: the chest is a dark shade of purple, and the upper parts and feathers are a dark shade of green, with black-edged feather tips. [5] The eye-ring is dark brown, with the eye being a mix of orange and red. [5] Juvenile appearance does not differ much, with a higher occurrence of green plumage and strictly brown eyes. [5]

Behavior

The call of the sisserou resides in the higher frequencies, a loud and even "squeaky" mix between shriek, squawk, and trill. [5] They are shy, difficult to approach, and usually travel in groups of three or fewer. [5] [7] They sometimes flock together with red-necked amazons. [7] They are good climbers and strong flyers with powerful wings. [8] They prefer to perch on the tops of trees. [8] They are difficult to detect, as they are well camouflaged by their plumage. [3]

Breeding

Between February and April, nesting occurs and the female will lay a clutch of two white eggs in a deep cavity inside a rainforest tree, [5] returning to the same tree year after year. For 26–28 days, the female will incubate the eggs. [5] During fledging, which occurs between June and early September, both parents will take care of and feed the chicks until they are fully feathered and ready to leave the nest. [5] The chicks use typical "begging calls" when hungry, to which either parent will respond with food. [9] Usually only one chick survives to fledging and, typically, sisserou pairs fledge a single chick every other year; however, there have been documented exceptions. [9]

These parrots mate for life and are extremely faithful to each other. [8] They might seek another mate only after a mate dies. However, the bird may grieve to death rather than find a new mate. [8]

Feeding

The sisserou's diet consists of fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms and palm shoots. [3] Their favorite foods include the fruits of Dacryodes species, Licania ternatensis , Richeria grandis , Amanoa carboea , Simarouba amara , Symphonia globulifera , Pouteria pollida , Tapuru atillan , the flowers and seeds of Chimarcis cymosa , and the nuts and young shoots of Euterpe palms. [10] Usually, they feed in the morning and evening. [10]

Distribution and habitat

On the flag of Dominica Flag of Dominica.svg
On the flag of Dominica

The imperial amazon is endemic to the Caribbean island nation of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles where it inhabits mountain forest areas above 2,100 ft (625 m). [8] It is the island's national bird [11] and also appears on the country's flag. [12] The species frequently occurs in the Morne Diablotins in northern Dominica, especially the upper Picard River Valley on the northwest side of the mountain. [7] A small population has been reintroduced in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. [13]

Imperial amazons are found primarily in mountain rainforest, sometimes in elfin forest. [10] They occur mostly at elevations of 600–1300 m above sea level. [7] However, there have been reports of them at 150 to 300 meters in elevation because of food storage or foraging preferences. [10]

Status and conservation

The imperial amazon is a critically endangered species. There are estimated to be only about 50 mature individuals left in the wild as of 2019. [14] There have been many efforts to help the habitat for these parrots. With the help of Dominica's Forestry, and the Wildlife and Parks Division and the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF), areas such as the Northern Forest Reserve and the Central Forest Reserve are protected. [15] However areas adjacent to the Northern Forest Reserve and the Central Forest Reserve remain unprotected. [15] Efforts are being made to help make other areas of Dominica protected. Many of the organizations have helped create groups of people to raise awareness, provide education, and conduct research. [16] The educational programs held in Dominica have reduced the bird trade. [16] The first successful breeding of this species by humans was conducted in 2011. [15] The captive-bred parrot developed fully in 12 weeks and resembled the wild imperial amazon parrots. [17] No one really knew what the reproductive potential of these parrots was. The imperial amazon has the lowest reproductive potential of any of the Amazona species. [17]

Threats

A major cause of population decline has been hurricanes. Hurricane David of August 1979 was one of the strongest that hit Dominica and impacted the population. Another hit was by Hurricane Maria in September 2017, which caused extensive damage on the island, affecting habitat. [18]

Habitat loss is caused by human disturbance in the forest, with selective logging and the deforestation. Trapping for food and trade is still a threat, even though education programmes have reduced the local market greatly. Illegal animal trading is a big market, and these birds are hunted to be sold on the black market. In the 1900s there were efforts to ban all illegal bird captivity and trading, but foreign traders still try to hunt this bird; some are successful. The development of plantations has also reduced their habitat, especially the cultivation of bananas (Snyder et al. 2000). Encroachment of human development has been a big issue as well, and conservationists are trying save the birds' preferred habitat. [19]

Nesting cavity competition with red-necked amazons and owls creates a tough living environment for imperial amazons. They mate only for a couple of months of the year, and guard their nests the rest of the year. A good quality nesting site is key to the survival and upbringing of their offspring.

Imperial amazons are preyed on by boa constrictors, broad-winged hawks, common opossums and rats.

Guadeloupe amazon

The hypothetical or extinct Guadeloupe amazon (A. violacea) may be the same bird as the imperial amazon, if not a close relative. Based on old descriptions alone, the information on the Guadeloupe amazon, pairs well with what is observed about the imperial amazon. A bone found on Marie-Galante (between Dominica and Guadeloupe) has been assigned to A. violacea and suggests that A. imperialis either inhabited, or was traded between, all three islands in prehistoric times. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazon parrot</span> Genus of birds

Amazon parrots are parrots in the genus Amazona. They are medium-sized, short-tailed parrots native to the Americas, with their range extending from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean. Amazona is one of the 92 genera of parrots that make up the order Psittaciformes and is in the family Psittacidae, one of three families of true parrots. It contains about thirty species. Most amazons are predominantly green, with accenting colors that depend on the species, and they can be quite vivid. They feed primarily on seeds, nuts, and fruits, supplemented by leafy matter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Dominica</span> National flag

The flag of Dominica was adopted on 3 November 1978, with some small changes having been made in 1981, 1988, and 1990. The original flag was designed by playwright Alwin Bully in early 1978 as the country prepared for independence.

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

Caique refers to a group of four species of parrots in the genus Pionites endemic to the Amazon Basin in South America.

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

The red-necked amazon, also known as the red-necked parrot, Dominican blue-faced amazon, lesser Dominican amazon, and jaco parrot or jaco, is an amazon parrot endemic to Dominica.

<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.

<i>Ara</i> (bird) Neotropical genus of macaws

Ara is a Neotropical genus of macaws with eight extant species and at least two extinct species. The genus name was coined by French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède in 1799. It gives its name to and is part of the Arini, or tribe of Neotropical parrots. The genus name Ara is derived from the Tupi word ará, an onomatopoeia of the sound a macaw makes.

<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">Lesser Antillean macaw</span> Extinct bird from the Caribbean

The Lesser Antillean macaw or Guadeloupe macaw is a hypothetical extinct species of macaw that is thought to have been endemic to the Lesser Antillean island region of Guadeloupe. In spite of the absence of conserved specimens, many details about the Lesser Antillean macaw are known from several contemporary accounts, and the bird is the subject of some illustrations. Austin Hobart Clark described the species on the basis of these accounts in 1905. Due to the lack of physical remains, and the possibility that sightings were of macaws from the South American mainland, doubts have been raised about the existence of this species. A phalanx bone from the island of Marie-Galante confirmed the existence of a similar-sized macaw inhabiting the region prior to the arrival of humans and was correlated with the Lesser Antillean macaw in 2015. Later that year, historical sources distinguishing between the red macaws of Guadeloupe and the scarlet macaw of the mainland were identified, further supporting its validity.

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

The red-tailed amazon, also known as the red-tailed parrot, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to coastal regions in the south-east Brazilian states of São Paulo and Paraná. The bird has been threatened by habitat loss and capture for the wild bird trade, and is a symbol of the efforts to conserve one of the Earth's most biologically diverse ecosystems. Consequently, it is considered Near Threatened by BirdLife International and the IUCN. In 1991–92, the population had fallen below 2000 individuals. Following on-going conservation efforts, a count and estimate from 2015 suggests a population of 9,000–10,000, indicating that this species is recovering from earlier persecution. A recent study shows that the population of this species is stable at Paraná state, Southern Brazil, revealing population trend fluctuation during the last 12 years.

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

The yellow-billed amazon, also called the yellow-billed parrot or Jamaican amazon, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is a predominantly green parrot with a short tail and pink throat and neck. It is endemic to Jamaica, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, plantations, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss and illegal trapping of wild birds for the pet trade.

<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">Martinique amazon</span> Hypothetical species of bird

The Martinique amazon is a hypothetical extinct species of Caribbean parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is not known from any material remains, but was said to be similar to the red-necked amazon from Dominica, the next major island to the north of Martinique. Natives are known to have traded extensively in parrots between the Antilles, and it seems that the Martinique population was in some way related to or even descended from A. arausiaca.

<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">Red-browed amazon</span> Species of bird

The red-browed amazon is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil. It has been considered a subspecies of the blue-cheeked amazon, but today all major authorities consider them separate species. It is threatened both by habitat loss and by being captured for the trade in wild parrots.

<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">Guadeloupe amazon</span> Hypothetical extinct species of parrot from the Caribbean

The Guadeloupe amazon or Guadeloupe parrot is a hypothetical extinct species of parrot that is thought to have been endemic to the Lesser Antillean island region of Guadeloupe. Mentioned and described by 17th- and 18th-century writers, it received a scientific name in 1789. It was moved to the genus Amazona in 1905, and is thought to have been related to, or possibly the same as, the extant imperial amazon. A tibiotarsus and an ulna bone from the island of Marie-Galante may belong to the Guadeloupe amazon. In 1905, a species of extinct violet macaw was also claimed to have lived on Guadeloupe, but in 2015, it was suggested to have been based on a description of the Guadeloupe amazon.

<i>Eos</i> (bird) Genus of birds

Eos is a genus of parrots belonging to the lories and lorikeets tribe of the family Psittaculidae. There are six species which are all endemic to islands of eastern Indonesia, most within very restricted ranges. They have predominantly red plumage with blue, purple or black markings. Males and females are similar in appearance.

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

The diademed amazon is a parrot in the family Psittacidae formerly considered conspecific with the red-lored amazon. Amazona diadema is restricted to the state of Amazonas in north-western Brazil.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2019). "Amazona imperialis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T22686411A154800996. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22686411A154800996.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. 1 2 3 "ADW: Amazona imperialis". Animal Diversity Web. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  4. ↑ "National Bird". Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Imperial Amazon" (Amazona Imperialis) Archived 2024-04-30 at the Wayback Machine . World Parrot Trust. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Psittacidae – Parrots, Parakeets, Macaws, Cockatoos" Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine , New Hampshire Public Television. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Carbone, Jim. Amazona imperialis. 2001 Archived 2014-09-01 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnson, Sibylle. Imperial Amazon / Imperial Parrot Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine . 22 October 2013.
  9. 1 2 Durand, Stephan. "Two Sisserou Chicks From One Nest: New Discovery by Dominica". Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine . Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Juniper, Tony, and Mike Parr. Parrots: a guide to parrots of the world. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998.
  11. ↑ "Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis)" Archived 2010-07-04 at the Wayback Machine Rare Species Conservatory Foundation. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  12. ↑ "National Flag - Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica". Archived from the original on 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  13. ↑ BirdLife. Amazona imperialis. 20 Archived 2012-11-11 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Archived from the original on 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  15. 1 2 3 "Species." Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis) Archived 2016-04-11 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  16. 1 2 "Imperial Amazon (Amazona Imperialis)" Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine . Imperial Amazon Videos, Photos and Facts. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  17. 1 2 Reillo, PR; Durand, S; Burton, M (2011). "First captive breeding of the imperial parrot (Amazona imperialis)". Zoo Biol. 30 (3): 328–41. doi:10.1002/zoo.20374. PMID   21181874.
  18. ↑ Palmer, Charlotte A.; Martin, Thomas E.; Durand, Stephen; Lamont, Myles (2018). "First observations of the impacts of Hurricane Maria on the endemic imperial amazon". Oryx. 52 (3): 410–411. doi: 10.1017/S0030605318000364 . ISSN   0030-6053.
  19. ↑ "Imperial Amazon - Text account". Data Zone. BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16.
  20. ↑ Olson, S. L.; López, E. J. Máiz (2008). "New evidence of Ara autochthones from an archeological site in Puerto Rico: a valid species of West Indian macaw of unknown geographical origin (Aves: Psittacidae)"". Caribbean Journal of Science. 44 (2): 215–222. doi:10.18475/cjos.v44i2.a9. S2CID   54593515.
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