Hispaniolan Parrot

About the Hispaniolan Parrot

The Hispaniolan parrot (Amazona ventralis), also known as Hispaniolan amazon, is a species of psittaciform bird of the family Psittacidae endemic to Hispaniola, which includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its white forehead, light beak, white eye-ring, blue ear patch, and maroon belly patch are the main features that differentiate it from other amazons. Its body measures about 28 centimeters in length. A typical adult weighs 250g (8.75 oz).

This species was widespread in Hispaniola, but it suffered a significant decline during the twentieth century. Its range was mainly limited to inland mountains in the 1930s and is becoming more typical in metropolitan cities such as Santo Domingo.

German biologist Philipp Ludwig Statius Müller published the first scientific description in 1776. In 1535, Spanish historian Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo published written descriptions of the Hispaniolan parrot. Oviedo describes them as Higuacas name derived from the Taíno word for these birds. Oviedo describes them:

In this island are three species of them large some, others minor and very small. The great ones are called by the Indians Higuacas, the middle long syllable [stressed... Wikipedia →