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(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data) |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(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data) |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(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data) |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.
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