How do you identify an Imperial Amazon?

The imperial amazon measures an average of 48 cm (19 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.

How big is an Imperial Amazon?

The Imperial Amazon is a large sized bird weighing about 327 g.

Where can you see an Imperial Amazon?

The Imperial Amazon is endemic to Dominica, which is the only country where it occurs.

What birds look similar to an Imperial Amazon?

The Imperial Amazon is most easily confused with the Yellow-naped Amazon, the Puerto Rican Amazon and the St. Vincent Amazon.

Is the Imperial Amazon endangered?

The Imperial Amazon is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Imperial Amazon

Amazona imperialis

African and New World Parrots · Psittaciformes · Legendary

The Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis) is a legendary african and new world parrot found only in Dominica, weighing about 327 g. The imperial amazon or Dominican amazon, also known as the sisserou or sisserou parrot, is a parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica.

Critically EndangeredLegendaryEndemicEats fruitforestcavity nest327 g

Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis), photo 1 — Photo: novvictan · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis), photo 2 — Photo: Paul Prior · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis), photo 3 — Photo: (c) novvictan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis), photo 4 — Photo: (c) Paul Prior, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

About the Imperial Amazon

The imperial amazon or Dominican amazon, also known as the sisserou or sisserou parrot, is a parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica. It has been designated as the national bird of Dominica, and features on the national flag of Dominica. The species is critically endangered. In 2019, it was estimated there were only about 50 mature individuals left in the wild.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The imperial amazon measures an average of 48 cm (19 in) in length. With males weighing an average of 900 g (32 oz) and females 650 g (23 oz), the species is large for its genus. Being of the family Psittacidae, the sisserou has zygodactyl feet and a thick, hooked bill with a muscular tongue. This bill is fashioned in such a way that, using its hinged mandibles and tongue, the sisserou can easily move food around in its mouth. Males and females have identical plumage: the chest is a dark shade of purple, and the upper parts and feathers are a dark shade of green, with black-edged feather tips.

Where it lives

Dominica

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, June, July, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify an Imperial Amazon?: The imperial amazon measures an average of 48 cm (19 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is an Imperial Amazon?: The Imperial Amazon is a large sized bird weighing about 327 g.
Where can you see an Imperial Amazon?: The Imperial Amazon is endemic to Dominica, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to an Imperial Amazon?: The Imperial Amazon is most easily confused with the Yellow-naped Amazon, the Puerto Rican Amazon and the St. Vincent Amazon.
Is the Imperial Amazon endangered?: The Imperial Amazon is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Imperial Amazon for real

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