Hispaniolan Amazon
Amazona ventralis

Description: Plumage green; most feathers edged with black; white forehead and around eyes; some blue patches on cheeks and crown; a little red under the chin; ear coverts black; some chestnut brown on abdomen; blue wind coverts; green edging to outer webs; yellowish green under tail; tail upper-side green with yellow tips; outer tail feathers red at base; bill horn coloured; iris and feet brown.

Length: Eleven inches (28 cm).

Distribution: The sharply declining population of Hispaniolan Amazons are found in a small area of Haiti, Dominican Republic and a few of-shore islands. It has been introduced to Puerto Rico. Habitat: As with other Amazons, it prefers forested areas where food is plentiful.

Wild Status and Diet: Although a common Amazon, due to habitat loss, hunting and trapping the wild population is declining sharply. These Amazons prefer to be either in small groups or pairs. They are noisy and cautious, spending the greater part of their days eating and resting in trees. When in flight, they have a very heavy wing beat and are slow. They feed on fruits, berries, seeds, nuts and possibly flowers and constantly chatter while feeding. They have been known to cause damage to banana, guava, maize and cactus fruit crops.

Aviculture: These parrots are lively and inquisitive and can be noisy. They are exceptionally hard chewers, so supply plenty of fresh wood to keep them occupied. They can be susceptible to chest infections.

Accommodation: Outside flight: 12 x 5 x 6 ft (4 x 1.5 x 2 m). Shelter size: 6 x 5 x 6 ft (2 x 1.5 x 2 m) suggest metal construction. They require a minimal temperature of 50° F (10° C).

Diet: Good parrot mix including: sunflower, safflower, canary grass seed, oats, millet, wheat, some pine nuts, include a variety of fruit and vegetables including apples, peaches, berries, green food and vitamin and mineral supplements.

Breeding in Aviculture: Not usually successful. However, pairs do need to be isolated.