The yellow-naped amazon or yellow-naped parrot is a widespread amazon parrot sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the yellow-crowned amazon. It inhabits the Pacific coast of southern Mexico and Central America. It has recently been reclassified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to a dramatic decline across the extent of its range. Yellow-naped amazons have lost more than 92% of their population over the last three generations.
Region
Pacific slope of southern Mexico and Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Pacific coast of southern Mexico south through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua to northwestern Costa Rica, with some localized Caribbean-slope populations in Honduras–Nicaragua. It favors tropical dry forest, semi-deciduous woodland, gallery forest, and mangroves, and it readily uses agricultural mosaics with scattered large trees. Roosts communally, often on coastal or riverine trees. Frequently travels between feeding areas and roosts across open fields and along forest edges.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The yellow-naped amazon is famed for its exceptional vocal learning and can mimic complex human speech and songs. It has suffered severe declines from habitat loss and heavy trapping for the pet trade, leading to its classification as Critically Endangered. Long-lived and pair-bonding, it relies on mature trees with suitable cavities for nesting, making old-growth and large secondary forests vital.
Suchitepéquez Department, Guatemala
Adult
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct, rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, with larger flocks forming at communal roosts. Forms long-term pair bonds and nests in cavities of large, mature trees. Clutch size is small, and pairs defend nest sites vigorously.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes loud, ringing squawks, screeches, and rich whistles. Highly capable mimic that incorporates environmental sounds and learned phrases into calls, especially near roosts.
Plumage
Predominantly bright green with a distinctive yellow patch on the nape; flight feathers show bluish tones and the carpal area may show some red. Feathers are smooth and glossy, giving the bird a sleek appearance.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruits, seeds, and berries, including figs and palm fruits. Also takes buds, flowers, and occasionally leaf material. Will visit croplands and orchards to exploit cultivated fruits and seeds, which can bring it into conflict with farmers. Uses its strong bill to husk tough seeds and its tongue to manipulate food.
Preferred Environment
Forages primarily in the forest canopy and along edges, often moving between natural forest and farmland with scattered large trees. Frequently feeds in pairs or small groups at fruiting trees and may join mixed-species parrot aggregations at abundant food sources.
