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Red-crowned Parrot - Amazona viridigenalis

Florida's Exotic Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1970's

Extirpated year:

Established status: Species have populations whose status is unknown.

Estimated Florida range: 2 counties At least 10 years, 9 counties Not reported breeding

Statewide trend: Unknown status

Threats to natives: Members of the parrot family carry Newcastle disease, identified in 1971, which can infect native songbirds, game birds, domestic chickens and turkeys, and other exotic bird species. The native bird species can be infected by smuggled exotic birds and birds not properly quarantined that are released into the wild. This species also breeds in cavities which might limit the number available to native cavity nesters.

Species Account: Native to the eastern coast of Mexico. Several feral populations occur in urban areas in and outside of Mexico, but it is listed as an endangered species in Mexico because of extensive habitat loss and depredation of nests to supply birds for the pet trade (Enkerlin-Hoeflich and Hogan 1997). A flock of 32 birds was observed in Dade County in 1972, but the species is now doing poorly here, possibly from competition with the more numerous Orange-winged Parrots (A. amazonica) or from interbreeding with Lilac-crowned Parrots (A. finschi) (Florida BBA). It is a habitat generalist in its native range (Forshaw 1973) but is a suburban species in South Florida, where large flocks congregate at night roosts in Australian pines (Florida BBA). It eats fruits, berries, and flowers, and pine seeds (Forshaw 1973). It is a cavity nester that probably uses old woodpecker holes in palm trees or Australian pines in South Florida (Florida BBA).

Habitats: Central or core urban area.

County	First Year	Extirpated Year	Breeding status	Notes
Broward	1974		At least 10 years	(Florida BBA 1986-91)???
Dade	1970		At least 10 years	Miami (Owre 1973). Probably declining; no recent reports, although still confirmed breeding by BBA (1986-91).
Hillsborough	1970		Not reported breeding	(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data)
Manatee	1970		Not reported breeding	(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data)
Martin	1970		Not reported breeding	(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data)
Monroe	1973		Not reported breeding
Orange	1986?		Not reported breeding	Probable breeding reported (Florida BBA 1986-91).
Palm Beach	1979		Not reported breeding	Confirmed breeding reported (Florida BBA 1986-91).
Pinellas	1986		Not reported breeding	Probable breeding reported (Florida BBA 1986-91).
Saint Johns	1980's		Not reported breeding	Probably breeding reported (Florida BBA 1986-91).
Sarasota	1980's		Not reported breeding

References

Enkerlin-Hoeflich, E. C., And K. M. Hogan. 1997. Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridgenalis) In Birds of North America No. 292 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.) The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithological Union, Washington D. C.

Forshaw, J. M. 1973. Parrots of the world. Landsdowne Press, Melbourne, Australia.

Pranty, B. In preparation. Status of the monk parakeet in Florida.

Robertson, W. B., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Links to more information

Florida Breeding Bird Atlas Species Account

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