Red-tailed Amazon
Amazona brasiliensis
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Amazona brasiliensis
- Spanish Name: Amazona cariazul
- Family: Psittacidae
- Known Nicknames: Red-tailed Parrot
- Average Length: 37 cm / 14.5 in
- Average Weight: 400–430 g / 14.1–15.2 oz
- Wingspan: 65–70 cm / 25–27 in
- Key Feature: Bright red tail feathers and a purple-blue facial mask
- Primary Diet: Herbivore (Primarily Frugivore and Granivore)
- Range: Coastal Southeast Brazil (Paraná and São Paulo states)
- Habitat: Atlantic Forest, mangroves, and coastal restinga
- Social Structure: Social, typically observed in pairs or small flocks
- Nesting/Breeding: Tree hollows, especially in mangrove trees
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened (NT)
- Population Trend: Stable
The Red-tailed Amazon (*Amazona brasiliensis*) is a vibrant and charismatic parrot endemic to the narrow coastal strip of southeastern Brazil, where it serves as a colorful icon of the Atlantic Forest. This medium-sized bird is primarily adorned in brilliant green plumage, but it is most distinguished by its spectacular "painted" face, featuring a soft lilac-purple crown and rosy-pink cheeks that fade into blue across the throat. Its namesake feature—a stunning tail with broad red bands and a bright yellow tip—is best viewed during flight, creating a flash of color against the canopy. Highly social and vocal, these parrots are known for their energetic pair-bonding displays and their vital role in the ecosystem, though their beauty and restricted range make them a precious and vulnerable treasure of the Brazilian coastline.
Faits amusants
These parrots are remarkably devoted partners, often observed flying in inseparable pairs that maintain constant vocal contact even within massive, boisterous flocks. They perform elaborate "dawn and dusk choruses," using high-pitched screams to coordinate movements and defend their territory across the canopy. To avoid land-based predators, they have developed a specific preference for nesting on small mangrove islands, effectively using the surrounding water as a natural moat. While their green plumage provides excellent camouflage against leaves, their vibrant red tail feathers serve as a "follow-me" signal, allowing flock members to track one another easily during high-speed flights through the dense Atlantic Forest.
Habitats et répartition
This species is endemic to a narrow coastal strip in southeastern Brazil, primarily spanning from the state of São Paulo to Paraná, with some populations extending into northern Santa Catarina. Its distribution is highly restricted, confined to the humid lowland areas directly adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and various offshore islands. Its primary habitats include diverse coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, "restinga" scrub forests, and swampy lowland forests within the Atlantic Forest biome. These birds are heavily dependent on these maritime environments for foraging and nesting, generally avoiding higher elevations and the interior mainland in favor of the lush, sea-level vegetation.
Comportements & Reproduction
Highly social and predominantly monogamous, these birds maintain long-term pair bonds and are frequently observed in large communal roosts outside of the breeding season. Pairs typically separate from the flock between September and February to nest, often exhibiting extreme loyalty to specific nesting sites in mangrove or restinga forests. Their social structure relies heavily on synchronized vocalizations and mutual preening, which serve to strengthen the pair bond and coordinate activities within the group. Nesting primarily takes place in tree hollows, often on small coastal islands to provide a safeguard against mainland predators. The female typically lays two to four eggs and handles the entirety of the 27-day incubation period while the male provides her with nourishment. Both parents share the responsibility of feeding the altricial chicks until they are ready to fledge. This preference for isolated island nesting sites is a key reproductive strategy that enhances the survival of their offspring within their restricted geographical range.
Alimentation
The Red-tailed Amazon maintains a diverse diet primarily consisting of native fruits, seeds, flowers, and nectar sourced from the Atlantic Forest and coastal mangroves. They show a strong preference for the oily fruits of the Jerivá palm and the seeds of the Guanandi tree, which are essential for their nutritional needs. An interesting aspect of their foraging behavior is their daily migration, where they often fly significant distances between their island roosting sites and mainland forests to locate seasonal food sources. Additionally, while they are predominantly herbivorous, these parrots act as significant seed dispersers within their habitat, and they have been observed occasionally supplementing their diet with insects to gain necessary proteins during demanding periods such as the nesting season.
Couleurs
The Red-tailed Amazon features predominantly green plumage for forest camouflage, accented by a vibrant red forehead and purple-blue cheeks. Its most defining characteristic is the broad red band across the outer tail feathers, which are tipped with yellow, while the primary wing feathers display deep blue highlights visible during flight.
