Lilacine Amazon

Scientific Name: Amazona autumnalis
   Subspecies:

• Ecuador Amazon or Lilacine Amazon:
  Amazona autumnalis lilacina
• Red-lored Amazon
  Amazona autumnalis autumnalis
• Salvin's Amazon
  Amazona autumnalis salvini
• Diademed Amazon
  Amazona autumnalis diadema

Distribution:
   These birds are native to South America, found only in western Ecuador north of the Gulf of Guayaquil. They inhabit the canopies of woodland and forest trees in tropical zones.

Description:
   The Lilacine Amazon or Ecuador (Red-lored) Amazon is similar to its cousin the Red-lored Amazon but slightly smaller with a finer head. Overall it has green plumage though on the crown the green feathers have lilac tips, edged with a reddish-blue. Its cheeks are yellowish-green and it has a red lore which extends over the eyes giving it a frontal band. The beak is blackish.

Size - Weight:
  Mature birds are about about 13 1/2 inches (34 cm) long from the head to the tip of the tail, though slightly smaller than the Red-lored Amazon.

Care and feeding:
    A roomy cage is required and because these amazons are very active, they need to spend a good deal of their time outside of their cage or be housed in an aviary.
    In the wild these birds eat fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms and leaf buds, as well as enjoying some palm fruits. The Amazon's main diet should primarily be seeds, nuts, fruits, and green vegetables. A commercially prepared parrot mix or pelleted diet can also be beneficial.

   See About Amazon Parrots: Housing and About Amazon Parrots: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:
   Amazons enjoy human interaction as well as interaction with other birds. In the wild they are very social birds living in groups. In the wild they are very social birds. They are usually seen in groups, but with some distinct pairs in the group. The groups can be small with as few as six birds, to large with up to a hundred birds. They form monogamous pairings during mating season.

   See About Amazon Parrots: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded Amazon.

Activities:
    Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys. Also needs room to stretch its wings although climbing seems to be its favorite activity.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Though previously quite variable, the Lilacine Amazons have been bred regularly for some time now in the United States They become sexually mature at about three to four years and may raise more than one brood per year. The hen will then lay two to eight eggs which incubate for about 26 - 28 days. The young will leave the nest at about 12 weeks. As with many parrots, the male will eat for both himself and the female while she incubates the eggs and feeds the young. The male regurgitates the food for the female to eat. He gets a lot less picky about what he eats at these times!

   See About Amazon Parrots: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:
  These birds are hardy and healthy if provided with a good environment and a good diet. Like all amazons, the Lilacine Amazon can be noisy first thing in the morning and just before the sun sets. They have a loud piercing call, though many owners say their pets are relatively quiet. Amazons can often be quieted by just covering their cage for a short period of time.

   See About Amazon Parrots: Potential Problems for information on health.

Availability: The Lilacine Amazon or Ecuador (Red-lored) Amazon had been one of the least available of the amazons, but with successful breeding they are beginning to appear more regularly.