The Green-Cheeked Parrot

The Green-cheeked Amazon, otherwise known as the Red-crowned Amazon, (Amazona viridigenalis), the Red-crowned Parrot, or Mexican Red-headed Parrot is native to Mexico and has the ability to mimic the human voice.

Its appearance is generally green with the most notable features being dark blue streaks behind the eyes, a bright red forehead and crown and its light green cheeks. The natural range in which one abides is across the lowlands of north eastern Mexico where they can be found to gather in large flocks. Being noisiest in the morning and evening, they build nests in tree cavities similar to most other parrots. A Red-crowned Amazons’ diet consists of seeds, fruits, berries, flowers and nectar.

Unfortunately, this parrot has been significantly reduced in number due to the huge demand to have them as pets and the destruction of their natural habitats. Even though the sale of these Green-cheeked birds has been prohibited, droves of the species are still being illegally traded across the Mexico/US border. Due to the rare bird's endangered species status, the open market value is around $1,500.00 - $2,000.00 USD. The current native wild population of between 1,000 and 2,000 is thus decreasing yearly.

In a large spreading tree beside Casa Panorámica we are fortunate enough to have a population of these Mexican Red-headed parrots squawking to keep us company.