Cuban Amazon
Cuban Amazon are found on Cuba, Isle of Pine, the Bahamas, and Cayman Islands. The Cuban population can be found throughout Cuba, although only commonly occurs on the Zapata and Guanahacabibes Peninsulas and in Sierra de Najasa. The population which inhabits the Bahamas only occurs on Abaco and Great Inagua. On Abaco, the parrots are generally found closer to the southern end of the island. The Cayman island population of Cuban amazons can be found in the central and eastern areas of Grand Cayman with a relict population persisting on Cayman Brac. There is evidence of seasonal migration to more coastal island areas during the non-breeding season in the Abaco population. (Bond, 1995; Juniper and Parr, 1998; Stahala, 2008)
Habitat
Cuban amazon are mainly found at or near sea level although they have been reported in the mountains of Cuba. They are found in dense scrubby woods, pine forests, broadleave woodland, palm groves, mangroves, plantations and even cultivate garden areas. With the exception of the Great Abaco population, which nests on the ground in limestone solution holes. Cuban amazons nest in tree cavities. It is also notable that at least in the Abaco population, the parrots prefer a hardwood shrubby habitat in the non-breeding season. (Bond, 1971; Juniper and Parr, 1998; O’Brien, et al., 2006; Stahala, 2008)
Physical Description
Cuban amazon are 28-33 cm long with a wingspan of 183-204 cm. They weigh between 260-301 g. The body color can range from bright green to olive green. They have blue primaries and a white forehead, forecrown, lores, and eyerings. Their cheeks, chin, and throat are a pale red. They also have scatter pale red feathers on their bellies with pale red and yellow feathers locate on the tail. They have a beige color bill. Juveniles look very similar to adults but do have dark, almost black, feathers covering ear-coverts. There is no sexual dimorphism.
Reproduction
Detailed information regarding reproductive behavior is not available for Cuban amazons. It is noted that during the breeding season. The parrots are seen more often in singles or pairs rather than groups of several parrots up to 30 individuals. Time to hatching, time to fledging and time to independence is unclear. However it has been observed that for one nest, eggs were laid in mid May and two young birds left the nest at the end of August. Nests are built in hollow tree cavities with the exception of the Abaco Bahama amazon population which nests in limestone cavities in the ground.
Behavior
Cuban amazons are a relatively sedentary species that does not exhibit migratory behavior. During the non-breeding season Cuban amazons can be found in pairs, groups of several parrots, or even in groups of 30 or more birds. They are usually very noisy especially during flight. It has been suggested that although they are usually found in fairly large flocks, they still maintain some sort of family unit. Even within the flocks, groupings of twos or threes can be seen. These smaller groupings have been observed leaving the rest of the flock to feed with only each other. The pair or triplet then reunites with the larger flock towards nightfall. (Forshaw, 1978)