Imperial amazon

The imperial amazon, also called the Dominican amazon or sisserou parrot, is a special kind of parrot that lives only on the Caribbean island of Dominica. This beautiful bird has bright blue, yellow, and red feathers and is very unique to that place.

Because it is found only in one location, the imperial amazon is very rare. It has been named the national bird of Dominica and even appears on the national flag of Dominica, showing how important it is to the people there.

Unfortunately, the imperial amazon is critically endangered. In 2019, scientists estimated that there were only about 50 adult birds left in the wild. This means this special parrot is in danger of disappearing and people are working hard to help it survive.

Description

The imperial amazon is a large parrot that measures about 48 cm (19 in) long. Males weigh around 900 g (32 oz) and females about 650 g (23 oz).

This parrot belongs to the Psittacidae family and has special feet and a strong, hooked bill. Its chest is a deep purple color, and its upper body is dark green with black edges on the feathers. Both males and females look the same, with dark brown rings around their eyes and orange-red eyes. Young imperial amazons look similar but have more green feathers and brown eyes.

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Behavior

The imperial amazon, also called the sisserou parrot, makes loud, high-pitched calls that sound like a mix of shrieks and squawks. These birds are shy and usually stay in small groups of three or fewer. They can often be found climbing and flying well, using their strong wings. They like to sit at the top of trees and are hard to spot because their feathers help them blend in.

Between February and April, these parrots lay two white eggs in a tree cavity. The mother sits on the eggs for about 26 to 28 days. Once the eggs hatch, both parents care for the baby birds until they can fly, which happens between June and September. The baby birds make special calls when they are hungry, and the parents bring them food. Usually, only one baby bird survives to leave the nest, and pairs often only raise one baby every other year.

These parrots eat fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms, and palm shoots. They especially like the fruits of certain trees and plants, and they usually eat in the morning and evening.

Distribution and habitat

The imperial amazon is found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica. It lives in the mountain forests, especially in areas higher than 2,100 feet. This bird is the national symbol of Dominica and appears on the island's flag. It is often seen in the Morne Diablotins and the Picard River Valley. Some of these birds have been brought back to live in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park.

These parrots prefer to stay in mountain rainforests and sometimes in special high-altitude forests called elfin forests. They are usually found between 600 and 1,300 meters above sea level, but sometimes they can be seen at lower heights when searching for food.

Status and conservation

The imperial amazon is a critically endangered species. As of 2019, there are only about 50 mature birds left in the wild. Many efforts are underway to protect their habitat. Organizations such as Dominica's Forestry, the Wildlife and Parks Division, and the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation work to protect areas like the Northern Forest Reserve and the Central Forest Reserve. However, some nearby areas still lack protection, and more work is being done to safeguard these spaces. Educational programs have helped reduce the trade of these birds. In 2011, people successfully bred the imperial amazon in captivity for the first time. The baby birds grew and looked very similar to those found in the wild. Not much is known about how many baby birds these parrots can have.

Threats

Hurricanes have been a big problem for the imperial amazon. Strong storms like Hurricane David in 1979 and Hurricane Maria in 2017 caused a lot of damage to their homes. Human activities such as logging and cutting down forests also reduce their living space. Some people still catch these birds to sell them, even though this is against the law. Birds are also caught to be sold secretly. Planting crops like bananas and building homes take away more space where the birds can live. Other animals like owls, Dominican boas, broad-winged hawks, common opossums, and rats can harm the imperial amazon. These birds only mate for a short time each year and need good places to build their nests to raise their young.

Guadeloupe amazon

There is a bird called the Guadeloupe amazon that may have been the same as the imperial amazon or a close relative. Old descriptions of the Guadeloupe amazon match what we see in the imperial amazon today. A bone found on the island of Marie-Galante suggests that these birds may have lived or been traded between Dominica, Marie-Galante, and Guadeloupe in the past.