The scaly-naped amazon (''Amazona mercenarius''), also known as the scaly-naped parrot, mercenary amazon, Tschudi's amazon, mountain parrot, or gray-naped amazon is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found along the Andes in the northern part of South America. Its natural habitats are

subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests (TSMF), also known as tropical moist forest, is a subtropical and tropical forest habitat type defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature. Description TSMF is generally found in large, discont ...

and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

Taxonomy and systematics

There are two subspecies: ''A. m. mercenarius-'' the

nominate subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

. ''A. m. canipalliata-'' It is similar to the nominate, but has hidden maroon marks instead of the red speculum at the bases of the first to third wing secondaries.

Description

Adults are 34 cm (13.2) long and weigh 300 g (10.5 oz). Nominate forms are bright green in color, with dark green feathers tinged a dull blue/black and tipped with a dull black from the crown to the nape. The eyes are red with a pale gray eye-ring. The first to third secondary wing feathers have red bases, with the remaining wing feathers having green bases. The carpal edge is yellow mixed with red and orange. The tail is green with a yellow-green band, with the side tail feather being banded red and blue-purple and the outermost tail feather being margined with blue-purple. The bill is gray and horn in color. Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults, but possess a pale horn colored bill tinged with gray and brown eyes.

Vocalizations

It makes a variety of calls and vocalizations. One of the most common is a repeated ''ka-lee''.

Behavior and ecology

It is usually found in pairs or small flocks of birds. Nesting areas usually in inaccessible places. It is described as a shy bird.

Diet

It has been observed feeding on figs and other fruit. It may also feed on maize. It feeds in the morning and afternoon, with large flocks of birds moving to and from communal roosts to feeding areas.

Breeding

Its breeding season is from March to May. Nests are usually in inaccessible areas. Eggs are ovate and in size.

Distribution and habitat

It is found in

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It occurs at elevations of

above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

. Within its range, it is usually the only species in its genus present. It inhabits hill and mountain forest in the upper tropical, subtropical and temperate areas. It also lives in open woodland containing large trees, open forest on ridges, and in wooded valleys and ravines in the paramo zone.

Conservation

It is listed as least concern. It has a large range, and although its population has not been quantified, it is thought to be fairly common throughout its range. However, there is evidence that its population may be in decline.

References

scaly-naped amazon Birds of the Northern Andes scaly-naped amazon Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{parrot-stub