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.
Region
Mesoamerica
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical forests of Mexico and into northern Central America, favoring mangroves, riverine and gallery forests, and semi-deciduous woodlands. It also uses swamp forests, forest edges, and seasonally flooded habitats, and may visit plantations and secondary growth where fruiting trees are abundant. Outside the breeding season it ranges widely in search of food, often moving between riparian corridors and coastal habitats. It typically avoids dense, continuous high forest away from water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the double yellow-headed amazon, this parrot is renowned for its exceptional ability to mimic human speech and complex sounds. Adults gain increasingly extensive yellow on the head with age. Heavy poaching for the pet trade and habitat loss have caused severe wild declines. It nests in tree cavities and pairs often mate for life.
Mating with a red-crowned amazon, in California.
Tres Marías amazon at Cougar Mountain Zoological Park, United States
8 weeks old.
In Belize
Upper body
Pet parrot
Temperament
social and noisy
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season and nests in tree cavities, often in large, mature trees near water. Outside breeding, gathers in small to medium flocks and roosts communally. Pairs maintain close contact with soft calls and mutual preening.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, raucous squawks and screeches carry over long distances, especially at dawn and dusk. In captivity it is an exceptional mimic capable of clear phrases, whistles, and varied sounds.
