The Red-lored Amazon or Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis) is a species of Amazon parrot, native to tropical regions of the Americas, from eastern Mexico south to Ecuador, with a disjunct population in central Brazil, where it occurs in humid evergreen to semi-deciduous forests up to 1100 m altitude. It is absent form the Pacific side of Central America north of Costa Rica. Not originally known from El Salvador, a pair - perhaps escaped from captivity - nested successfully in 1995 and 1996 in the outskirts of San Salvador and the species might expand its range permanently into that country in the future.

Description

It is 32-35 cm (13 in) long, with a weight of 310-480 g. The plumage is primarily green, with red forehead and in some subspecies yellow cheeks (sometimes with red spots). The crown is blue. Adult males and females do not differ in plumage. Juveniles have less yellow on cheeks, less red on forehead, and dark irises.

Taxonomy Head plumage of adults is characteristic, but the cheek color varies among subspecies, with this, A. a. autumnalis, being the only with a bright yellow patch.

There are four subspecies:

• Amazona autumnalis autumnalis (Linnaeus, 1758). Caribbean coasts from eastern Mexico south to northern Nicaragua.
• Amazona autumnalis salvini (Salvadori, 1891). Northern Nicaragua south to Colombia and Venezuela.
• Amazona autumnalis lilacina Lesson, 1844. Western Ecuador.
• Amazona autumnalis diadema (Spix, 1824). Lower Rio Negro area, central Brazil.

Behaviour

Food and feeding

Their food includes fruits, nuts and seeds.

Breeding

The Blue-fronted Amazon nests in tree cavities. The eggs are white and there are usually three or four in a clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 26 days and the chicks leave the nest about 60 days after hatching.

Status Amazona a. lilacina is local within its already small range, leading to concerns about its status.

In some areas, notably parts of Mexico and Venezuela, the Red-lored Amazon has become rare through trapping for the cagebird trade. On the other hand, it seems to be able to adapt to human-altered habitat to a considerable degree.

Aviculture A captive-bred Red-lored Parrot chick, shown at age of 6 weeks.

The Red-lored Amazon is a popular companion parrot. Avocado and eggplant are poisonous to them (as they are for many parrots and other animals).