Mealy Parrot
A species of Amazon parrots, Also known as Mealy Amazon, Northern Mealy Parrot Scientific name : Amazona farinosa Genus : Amazon parrots
Mealy Parrot, A species of Amazon parrots
Also known as:
Mealy Amazon, Northern Mealy Parrot
Botanical name: Amazona farinosa
Genus: Amazon parrots
Content
Description General Info
Description
The southern mealy amazon has a total length of about 38–41 cm (15–16 in) and weighs 540–700 g (19–25 oz). Captives commonly are heavier. It is among the largest parrots in the Americas, mainly being surpassed by the large macaws. It has a relatively short and square shaped tail, as do the other members of the Amazona genus. The southern mealy amazon is mainly green. The back and nape often have a whitish tinge; almost as if it had been covered in a thin layer of flour ("meal"; hence its name). The distal half of the tail is paler and more yellow than the basal half, thus resulting in a distinctly bi-colored look. In flight it shows a bluish-black trailing edge to the wing and a conspicuous red speculum. Occasionally a few yellow feathers are apparent on the top of the head. In South America, it is commonly confused with the yellow-crowned amazon, but can be recognized by its larger size, less yellow to the crown (not entirely reliable, as some yellow-crowned may show almost none), the whitish tinge to its plumage, broader white eye-ring, and red of the leading edge of the wing placed near the phalanx (not near the radiale), but this is often difficult to see (especially on perched birds). Their voices are also strikingly different. The southern mealy amazon was formerly considered conspecific with the northern mealy amazon. The species were split based on the results of a genetic study published in 2012. 
Size
43 cm
Colors
Green
Yellow
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
50-100 years
Nest Placement
Cavity
Feeding Habits
Mealy Parrot primarily indulge in fruits, seeds, berries, nuts, blossoms, and buds. This variety-rich diet showcases their opportunistic foraging behavior and dietary adaptability among their habitats.
Habitat
Mealy Parrot can typically be found within expansive, dense, humid lowland rainforests, primarily situated on non-flooded terrain. Its habitat also includes stands of Mauritia palms, deciduous woodlands, gallery forests, and semi-open or tall secondary growth close to primary forests. These habitats span across broad tropical regions of Central and South America. While mealy Parrot may venture up to 1600 meters in altitude in places like Colombia, it is more commonly seen at lower elevations, such as below 500 meters in Costa Rica.
Nest Behavior
Mealy Parrot breeds from November to March. The female typically lays around three eggs, incubating them for roughly 4 weeks, with fledglings staying with the parents for approximately 2 months post-hatching for care and feeding.
Nest Characteristics
The nest of mealy Parrot is typically located in large tree cavities, repurposed each year with no added construction materials. It is spacious enough to accommodate the bird's size, with shapes varying based on the chosen tree hollow.
Dite type
Herbivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
The southern mealy amazon is social and can be found in pairs or in large flocks. They are even known to interact with other parrots, such as macaws. They are usually quiet but can be loud at dusk and dawn. In captivity, they are known as one of the gentlest and calmest of all amazons.
Distribution Area
The southern mealy amazon occurs in tropical Central America and South America. It frequents humid to semi-humid forest (only rarely in deciduous forest) and plantations. In regions dominated by open/dry habitats it is restricted to gallery forest or completely absent.
Species Status
It is fairly common in most of its range, but has declined locally due to habitat loss and trapping for the wild parrot trade. Trafficking of the birds (as for exotic pets) is illegal in many nations, but the species are still smuggled into the United States from Mexico. In some areas southern mealy amazons are hunted as food. The southern mealy amazon sometimes feeds on human crops (especially corn) and may be considered a crop pest. The mealy amazon is bred in captivity with some regularity.
Scientific Classification
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