Imperial Parrot
Encyclopedia
The Imperial Amazon, Amazona imperialis, also known as the Imperial Parrot, Dominican Amazon, August Amazon, or Sisserou, is a green-and-purple-plumaged amazon parrot
. It is the largest member in the diverse genus Amazona measuring 48 cm (19 in) in length and weighing up to 900 g (2 lbs) when fully grown. The Imperial Parrot has a green back, purple neck, green-tipped red tail and purple underparts. The sexes are similar.
The Imperial Amazon is endemic
to mountain forests of the Caribbean
island nation of Dominica
in the Lesser Antilles
, where it is the national bird and is featured on the Dominican flag
. On Dominica
, one of the last remaining habitats of the Imperial Amazon is in the slopes of Morne Diablotins
, the highest volcanic peak of the Caribbean
islands. Its diet consists mainly of fruits and seeds. It nests in hollow trees covered with vines or plants.
of Threatened Species. The small population of 150 to 250 mature individuals is threatened by ongoing habitat loss, illegal trapping for the pet trade, deforestation
, encroachment, competition with the Red-necked Amazon and owls for nesting, and occasional hurricane-related damage. Much of the forest that the Imperial Amazon resides in is being turned into plantations. It is listed on Appendix I of CITES making trade in wild-caught birds illegal and it is also protected by local laws.
Amazon parrot
Amazon parrot is the common name for a parrot of the genus Amazona. These are medium-size parrots native to the New World ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean....
. It is the largest member in the diverse genus Amazona measuring 48 cm (19 in) in length and weighing up to 900 g (2 lbs) when fully grown. The Imperial Parrot has a green back, purple neck, green-tipped red tail and purple underparts. The sexes are similar.
The Imperial Amazon is endemic
Endemism in birds
An endemic bird area is a region of the world that contains two or more restricted-range species, while a "secondary area" contains one or more restricted-range species. Both terms were devised by Birdlife International....
to mountain forests of the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
island nation of Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
in the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
, where it is the national bird and is featured on the Dominican flag
Flag of Dominica
The flag of Dominica was adopted on November 3, 1978, with some small changes having been made in 1981, 1988, and 1990.The flag, adopted in 1978, features the national bird emblem, the sisserou parrot, which also appears on the coat of arms granted July 21, 1961. This parrot is unique to Dominica...
. On Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
, one of the last remaining habitats of the Imperial Amazon is in the slopes of Morne Diablotins
Morne Diablotins
Morne Diablotins is the highest mountain in Dominica, an island-nation in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. It is the second highest mountain in the Lesser Antilles, after La Grande Soufrière in Guadeloupe...
, the highest volcanic peak of the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
islands. Its diet consists mainly of fruits and seeds. It nests in hollow trees covered with vines or plants.
Status
The Imperial Amazon has an Endangered status on the IUCN Red ListIUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
of Threatened Species. The small population of 150 to 250 mature individuals is threatened by ongoing habitat loss, illegal trapping for the pet trade, deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
, encroachment, competition with the Red-necked Amazon and owls for nesting, and occasional hurricane-related damage. Much of the forest that the Imperial Amazon resides in is being turned into plantations. It is listed on Appendix I of CITES making trade in wild-caught birds illegal and it is also protected by local laws.