The lilac-crowned Amazon parrot is native to the Pacific coast of Mexico. Its preferred habitat is humid pine or oak forests up to an elevation of about 6,000 feet. It is named Finsch’s parrot after the German naturalist and explorer Otto Finsch.
Wild populations are declining due to habitat loss and illegal capture for the pet trade. There are fewer than 10,000 birds remaining in the wild. Flocks of feral birds exist in California, both in Orange County and in the San Gabriel mountains.
Temperament
Lilac-crowned Amazon parrots are curious and active birds by nature. Like all parrots, and Amazon parrots in particular, these birds need plenty of mental stimulation to keep them healthy and happy.
Lilac-crowned Amazon parrots form strong bonds with their owners and must have ample daily social interaction in order to thrive.
Like many parrots, lilac-crowned Amazons may go through a hormonal bluffing or biting stage as they reach sexual maturity. This temporary period can be stressful for handlers, which is why this species pairs best with experienced avian owners.
The lilac-crowned Amazon is more subdued than other Amazons, so it is generally not as loud. An intelligent species, it can learn to talk. It may also call out loudly as an alarm when it perceives danger or sees strangers approaching.
Speech and Vocalizations
Although they are not renowned for their talking ability, lilac-crowned Amazon parrots can learn an impressively large vocabulary of words and phrases. As the bird hears repetitive sounds and it spends time around you, it will pick up a couple of words. They do have loud natural calls, but these are not often heard.
Lilac-Crowned Amazon Parrot Colors and Markings
Lilac-crowned Amazon parrots are predominantly a brilliant green color with a red blaze on their forehead that transitions to an iridescent lilac-colored patch on the backs of their heads and necks. They have hints of red and blue in their flight feathers, horn-colored beaks, and bluish flesh-colored feet.
This species very closely resembles the red-crowned Amazon parrot, but the crown is a less vibrant purple-lilac rather than bright red, and it has a slightly longer tail.