What Is a Puerto Rican Parrot?

Also known as Amazona vittata, the Puerto Rican parrot is an Amazon bird. It is a medium-sized parrot with bright blue markings. The bird is the only parrot native to Puerto Rico, but it has been on an endangered animals list since the early 1990s. More of these parrots are alive in captivity than in the wild due to efforts to save the bird from extinction. Puerto Rican parrots usually mate for life and support their offspring from when they hatch to the next breeding season.

True to its name, the Puerto Rican parrot inhabits the United States’ Puerto Rico, which is southeast of the mainland. It is estimated that the islands once supported up to one million of these parrots. The bird likely lived in peace with the native Indians until European settlers made Puerto Rico their home. It would be centuries, however, until the Spanish population grew enough to negatively affect the bird’s habitat.

Like all parrots, the Puerto Rican parrot is primarily green, sometimes more so than other breeds of parrot. This parrot can be differentiated from other parrots by its feather wings, which are tipped with a deep blue color. The forehead is a deep red, while the eyes are surrounded by white. Its size is small compared to other Amazon birds, but it is usually viewed as a medium-sized parrot in captivity. Males and females cannot be distinguished by appearance due to their similarity.

The Puerto Rican parrot has been considered critically endangered since 1994. Habitat destruction, being hunted for food, and being caught to sell in the pet industry are this parrot’s primary threats. A recovery plan has been in place since the late 1960s, with goals to downgrade the bird’s critical status to threatened by 2020. Most birds live in captivity, but some are released every now and then in hopes of repopulating the wild Puerto Rican parrot population.

Unlike most animals, Puerto Rican parrots tend to mate for life unless one mate becomes injured or dies. Male parrots are known for leaving female parrots who become physically imperfect. The female sits on her eggs until they hatch, being fed by the male. Under some circumstances, the female might leave her nest in search of food, such as if the male fails to return. When the baby parrots hatch, both parents feed and care for them until the next breeding season, when the hatchlings begin to fend for themselves.

The Puerto Rican Parrot, also known as the Iguaca, is a bright green parrot native to Puerto Rico. It's distinguished by its red forehead, white rings around the eyes, and blue primary wing feathers. This species is one of the ten most endangered bird species in the world, primarily due to habitat destruction and historical capture for the pet trade.

The Puerto Rican Parrot has faced a dramatic population decline due to deforestation, which has destroyed its natural habitat. Additionally, hurricanes, predation by invasive species, and illegal trapping have contributed to its endangered status. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and rebuild the population, which had dwindled to just 13 individuals in the wild by 1975.

Conservation efforts for the Puerto Rican Parrot include captive breeding programs, habitat restoration, and public education to raise awareness. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with local organizations, manages aviaries that breed parrots for release into protected areas. These efforts have helped increase the population to over 200 individuals in captivity and the wild.

The Puerto Rican Parrot is found in the wild within the El Yunque National Forest and the Rio Abajo State Forest in Puerto Rico. These areas provide the dense forest canopy and nesting sites that are essential for their survival. Strict measures are in place to protect these habitats and support the parrot's recovery.

The Puerto Rican Parrot is primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, flowers, leaves, and bark. It has a particular taste for the sierra palm fruits and enjoys the nectar from tabonuco flowers. Their diet is crucial for the forest's health as they act as seed dispersers, aiding in plant regeneration.

People can support the conservation of the Puerto Rican Parrot by donating to wildlife organizations dedicated to its preservation, such as the World Wildlife Fund or local Puerto Rican conservation groups. Additionally, promoting and engaging in responsible ecotourism can help fund conservation efforts and raise awareness about the parrot's plight.