Red-spectacled Amazon - Amazona pretrei - Red-spectacled Parrot

Red-spectacled Amazon Amazona pretrei
(aka Red-spectacled Parrot)

Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The Red-spectacled Amazon is almost confined to the state of Rio Grande do Sul but with some wintering birds in south-east Santa Catarina and some scarce records for Argentina and Paraguay. See the distribution map at xeno-canto.

It is classified by Birdlife International as Vulnerable because of its restricted range and the fact that it is a target of illegal trapping for the caged bird trade. Its rapid decline during the 20th century reflects the deforestation of Rio Grande do Sul. In 1914 25% of the state was forested but by 1988 this had dropped to 3%.

During the breeding season from September to January the birds disperse to savanna woodland and gallery forests where they nest in tree hollows. During the non-breeding season they are associated more with Araucaria forest eating the pine nuts when they ripen. It is at this time of year that they can roost in large flocks at known sites.

The pair of birds in photo 1 were flying over the rio Camaquã and you can see the red on the forehead, face and front edge of the wings, the pale bill and the white eye-ring. The bird furthest from the camera is the male which shows more extensive red on the wings while the female is nearest the camera.

Jeremy Minns recorded the two birds in photo 1 as they flew over though only one bird was vocalizing.

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