The Puerto Rican parrot

Carolina
Reyes

The Puerto Rican
Parrot

(Amazona vittata)

• The Puerto Rican parrot, also known as the Puerto Rican
Amazon (Amazona vittata), is one of the rarest birds on
earth. It is the only native parrot in Puerto Rico. After the
European colonization of the island began five hundred years
ago, the size of the parrot population dwindled in direct
proportion to the conversion of forested land to cities and
farms, in so doing, the parrot’s only habitat was almost
eradicated. By the middle of the last century, Amazona
vittata was a threatened species, very close to extinction.

• The overall color of these beautiful birds is a brilliant
emerald green. Above the beak are red feathers, around the
eyes are white, and underneath the wings are bright blue
feathers. They are relatively small, about 11 inches in length
and about 10 ounces in weight. Male and female parrots look
exactly alike. In fact, the only way to distinguish between the
two is through DNA testing or by observing their behavior
during breeding season.

• Puerto Rican parrots live in the forest and can mostly
be found in the tree canopy. Loss of habitat by
deforestation is the main reason for them becoming
endangered. Their diet consists mainly of wild fruits.
They will also eat leaves, bark, nectar, flowers, and
seeds.

• Sexual maturity is reached at about 4 years of age. Puerto
Rican parrots will mate for life. They reproduce once a year.
Breeding takes place between the months of February and
July. The female lays 3-4 eggs and incubates them for 24-28
days. After the eggs hatch, the chicks will fledge in 60-65
days. These parrots nest in large, deep tree cavities.