Cuban amazon

The Cuban Amazon, also known as the Cuban parrot or rose-throated parrot, is a captivating medium-sized parrot native to the woodlands and dry forests of Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. There are four recognized subspecies of this parrot, each with its own unique characteristics and distribution.

Sporting predominantly green plumage, the Cuban Amazon also features blue feathers on its wings and a distinctive rosy pink face, chin, and throat. Its irises are olive-green, complemented by a horn-colored beak and pink legs.

These parrots enjoy a diet of fruits and seeds, including those of palm fruits and the West Indian mahogany. Their breeding season spans from March to September. During this period, females lay two to four white eggs, which they incubate for 26-28 days in tree cavities or underground limestone solution holes.

Unfortunately, the Cuban Amazon is facing several threats, such as habitat loss, natural disasters, and capture for the wild parrot trade. As a result, it is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

In the world of aviculture, the Cuban Amazon was quite rare outside of Cuba and Florida until the 1980s. Breeding these parrots can be challenging, particularly due to the aggressive behavior often observed in males. Due to their rarity, Cuban Amazons are among the highest-priced amazons. Captive-bred individuals have even exhibited various color mutations.

The Cuban Amazon is protected under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits the international trade of wild-caught individuals, thereby ensuring these beautiful birds remain in the wild where they belong.