BeakBrain

Puerto Rican Amazon

Amazona vittata

African and New World Parrots · Psittaciformes · Legendary

The Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata) is a legendary african and new world parrot found only in Puerto Rico, weighing about 279 g. The Puerto Rican amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican parrot or iguaca (Taíno), is the only extant parrot endemic to the archipelago and island of Puerto Rico.

Critically EndangeredLegendaryEndemicEats omnivoreforestcavity nest279 g
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 1
Photo: (c) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 2
Photo: Tom MacKenzie · Public domain
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 3
Photo: Felix López of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · CC BY 2.0
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 4
Photo: Tom MacKenzie ofU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · CC BY 2.0
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 5
Photo: Tom MacKenzie of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · CC BY 2.0
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 6
Photo: Tom MacKenzie of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · CC BY 2.0
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 7
Photo: Tom MacKenzie of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · CC BY 2.0
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 8
Photo: Tom MacKenzie of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · CC BY 2.0
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 9
Photo: Tom MacKenzie of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · CC BY 2.0
Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata), photo 10
Photo: Pablo Torres of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region · Public domain

About the Puerto Rican Amazon

The Puerto Rican amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican parrot or iguaca (Taíno), is the only extant parrot endemic to the archipelago and island of Puerto Rico. Measuring 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in), the bird is a predominantly green parrot with a red forehead and white rings around the eyes. Belonging to the Neotropical genus Amazona, its closest relatives are believed to be the Cuban amazon and the Hispaniolan amazon.

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

How to identify it

The Puerto Rican amazon measures 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in) and weighs 250–300 g (8.8–10.6 oz), or 275 g (9.7 oz) on average. Although small compared to amazons in general, it is similar in size to other Greater Antilles Amazona species. Sexual dimorphism is not present. Both males and females have predominantly green plumage, though their feathers have blue edges. The primary flight feathers of the wings and the main covert feathers are dark blue.

Where it lives

Puerto Rico

When to see it

Best months: January, March, September, October, November, with peak activity in September. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Puerto Rican Amazon?
The Puerto Rican amazon measures 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in) and weighs 250–300 g (8.8–10.6 oz), or 275 g (9.7 oz) on average. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Puerto Rican Amazon?
The Puerto Rican Amazon is a medium sized bird weighing about 279 g.
Where can you see a Puerto Rican Amazon?
The Puerto Rican Amazon is endemic to Puerto Rico, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Puerto Rican Amazon?
The Puerto Rican Amazon is most easily confused with the Yellow-naped Amazon, the Imperial Amazon and the St. Vincent Amazon.
Is the Puerto Rican Amazon endangered?
The Puerto Rican Amazon is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Puerto Rican Amazon for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.