Wednesday 24 April 2013

Grand Cayman Parrot - National Bird of Cayman Islands

The Cuban Amazon Parrot or Caribbean Amazon Parrot originates from Cuba , hence its name. In Cuba, it is referred to as "Loro o Cotorra de Cuba." It also occurs on nearby islands - on the Bahamas (north of Cuba), where it is known as Bahama / Abaco Parrot; on Cayman Islands (south of Cuba), where it is known as Grand Cayman Parrot and Cayman Brac Parrot.



Interesting & Amazing facts about Grand Cayman Parrot are:

  1. The Cuban Amazon is a medium-sized parrot 28–33 centimeters (11–13 in) long.
  2. It is found in woodlands and dry forests of Cuba, the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in the Caribbean.
  3. The Cuban Amazon feeds on a number of fruits and seeds including the fruits of palm trees and West Indian mahogany seeds.
  4. Their breeding season is from March to September.
  5. They lay two to six white eggs in a clutch.
  6. Their eggs are incubated by the female for 26 to 28 days.
  7. The male assumes responsibility for feeding the brooding female.
  8. The hatchlings are blind with only little down. They are completely dependent on parental care. Their eyes open when they are about 2 - 3 weeks old.
  9. The parents feed them regurgitated (predigested) food and brood them to keep them warm.
  10. In the winter Cuban Amazons gather in flocks, and disperse into pairs during the breeding season.
  11. The Cuban Amazon is mainly green with some blue feathers on its wings.
  12. Their chin, throat and lower face are pinkish.
  13. Its forehead and eye rings are white.
  14. Its beak is horn-coloured.
  15. Their feathers over the ears are blackish.
  16. There is very little difference in the coloration and/or size between males and females.
  17. The Cuban Amazon is considered one of the more difficult-to-breed Amazon Parrots due to the fact that captive males commonly display aggressive behavior towards their mates and chicks.
  18. They are sometimes a nuisance to local farmers.
  19. Caribbean Amazon Parrots are very noisy, especially when they occur in flocks.
  20. Their calls are described as loud shrieks, whistles, screeches and some trumpet-like sounds. In flight, they utter harsh squawk-squawk sounds.
  21. The Cuban Amazon is also known as Cuban Parrot or the Rose-throated Parrot or White–headed Amazon Parrot.
  22. Other common names of the Cuban Amazon include Bahamas parrot, Carribean Amazon, White-headed Amazon/parrot.
  23. The Cuban Amazon is currently considered to form superspecies with the Yellow-billed Amazon / Jamaican Amazon (Amazona collaria) and the Hispaniolan Parrot (Amazona ventralis), and all may be conspecific.
  24. This species is listed with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (C.I.T.E.S.).
  25. They are also listed as an endangered species on the United States Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Endangered Species List.

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