Red-tailed Amazon
(Amazona brasiliensis)
Facts
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IUCN VULNERABLE (VU)
Facts about this animal
The red-tailed amazon is a medium-sized parrot; the tail is slightly rounded and less than one third of the total length (total length= 37 cm). The plumage is mainly green with paler underparts, the top of the head is pinkish-red, the cheeks, chin, ear coverts, throat and upper breast are greyish blue. The undertail coverts are yellowish-green. The central tail feathers are green and the lateral tail feathers are greenish-yellow at the tip followed by a red band and purple blue at the base.
Did you know?
that the small population of the red-tailed amazon is under enormous pressure from poaching for national and (illegal) international trade, continuing habitat loss for boat building, banana plantations, cattle- and buffalo-grazing and beach houses, and that the proposed construction of a bridge to Ilha Comprida will even increase pressure from tourism and habitat conversion?
| Factsheet | |
|---|---|
| Class | AVES |
| Order | PSITTACIFORMES |
| Suborder | PSITTACI |
| Family | PSITTACIDAE |
| Name (Scientific) | Amazona brasiliensis |
| Name (English) | Red-tailed Amazon |
| Name (French) | Amazone à joues bleues |
| Name (German) | Rotschwanzamazone |
| Name (Spanish) | Papagayo de cara roja |
| Local names | Brazil: Marreco ananai |
| CITES Status | Appendix I |
| CMS Status | Not listed |
Photo Copyright by
Writhedhornbill
Distribution
| Distribution | |
|---|---|
| Range | Brazil |
| Habitat | Lowland coastal forest and forested wetlands |
| Wild population | Approx. 3'000-4'000 |
| Zoo population | 45 reported to ISIS (2008) |
In the Zoo
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How this animal should be transported
For air transport, Container Note 11D of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
Some veterinary or customs authorities require that all psittacine birds are ringed upon importation. Recommended ring diameter for amazons 10-12 mm depending of species.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
Elcio Ferreira
Why do zoos keep this animal
The red-tailed amazon is rated vulnerable by IUCN and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. European zoos therefore aim at maintaining a viable ex situ population under an EEP.
Like other amazons, red-tailed amazons are conspicuous and attractive birds, which are good ambassador species for the conservation of neotropical forests. They have an interesting anatomy and behaviour, are intelligent birds able to mimic human speech and even to associate words with their meanings, and are thus also of educational interest. Zoos may keep amazon parrots also for animal welfare reasons as they may have to take care of confiscated birds, or former pet birds.