photo courtesy of Kathy Moyd © 2000.

Parrot Project/Pasadena Audubon

Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva  

Blue-fronted Parrot 
Amazona aestiva (Linné)

Length: 35-40 cm, ` wing length 214-238 mm,  tail 112-140 mm; a wing length 199-229 mm, tail 106-134 mm.

2 subspecies:   A. a. aestiva (Linné)         A. a. xanthopteryx (Berlepsch)

Description: Chunky parrot  generally green, underparts yellowish-green; feathers edged in black (mostly on neck) with a square green tail broadly tipped with yellowish-green. Head characters: lores powder blue,  forecrown yellow with white; hindcrown, front cheeks, ear coverts, throat yellow; base of feathers yellow; cheeks bright green, nape and back of head violet-blue; bill gray; iris orange; Thighs green with some yellow throughout; Wing primary coverts dark green tipped with violet-blue; tips of primaries violet-blue turning to green at bases; secondaries green turning violet-blue at tips, red speculum on five outer secondaries; under wing-coverts underside flight feathers bluish-green. Legs gray.

Immatures as adults except not as many blue and yellow feathers on head. Iris dark brown.

Voice: flight call - help... help

Distribution: Native habitat. North-eastern Brazil south to Paraguay and northern Argentina.

Habitat: Palm groves, moist and dry forest, open savannahs.

Status: A. a. aestiva rare. A. a. xanthopteryx common.

Habits: Small flocks gather during the day foraging and resting at the tree tops. Not easily disturbed but when disrupted they will call and screech while flying to new feeding area. Roosts in groups in trees.

Natural diet: From treetops seeds, fruits, berries, flowers, and leaf buds. Can be agricultural pests.

References:

Web library Complete Lexicon of Parrots

Forshaw, J. 1979. Parrots of the World. TFH Publications.