The black-billed amazon is a parrot endemic to Jamaica. Sometimes called the black-billed parrot, this amazon parrot is mostly green with small patches of red on the wing and sometimes flecked on the head. Its bill makes it easy to separate from most other amazons, including the yellow-billed amazon, which also lives in Jamaica. It is the smallest Amazona parrot at 25 cm (10 in).
Region
Caribbean
Typical Environment
Endemic to Jamaica, it inhabits mature evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, especially wet limestone (karst) areas, along with montane forests and adjacent secondary growth. It forages in the canopy and along forest edges, and will venture into agricultural mosaics and fruiting trees near villages. Key strongholds include Cockpit Country and the Blue and John Crow Mountains. Outside breeding season it may range more widely in search of fruiting trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The black-billed amazon is Jamaica’s smallest Amazon parrot and is readily told from the island’s yellow-billed amazon by its dark bill. It often travels in small, noisy flocks and may form mixed groups with yellow-billed amazons where ranges overlap. Habitat loss and trapping have affected numbers, and the species benefits from protected forest strongholds such as Cockpit Country.
At Vienna Zoo, Austria
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
swift, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it forms small, noisy flocks and sometimes mixes with yellow-billed amazons. Pairs nest in natural tree cavities, often in tall mature forest, and maintain territories around the nest. Strong pair bonds and coordinated movements are common during the breeding period.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud and carry far, consisting of sharp screeches, rolling chatter, and repeated squawks. Pairs exchange calls at dawn and dusk, and flocks give chorus-like contact calls while flying.
Plumage
Mostly bright green with fine darker edging on feathers, small red patches at the bend of the wing, and variable bluish flecking on the head. Overall compact build with a short tail.
Diet
Primarily fruits, seeds, and berries from a variety of native trees, including figs and other canopy species. It also takes buds and blossoms and may feed on cultivated fruits when available. Seasonal movements often track fruiting cycles.
Preferred Environment
Feeds high in the forest canopy and along edges where fruiting trees are abundant. It will also forage in agricultural mosaics and near orchards bordering forest.
