species profile amazon species profile.pdfspecies profile: blue-fronted amazon (amazona aestiva)...

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Natural and Cu ltura l Heritage Divis ion

SPECIES PROFILE

Blue-fronted Amazon Amazona aestiva

February 2016

Photo: Matthew Watts. Image from Wikimedia Commons under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic License.

2/15 Species Profile: Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva)

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 2016Information in this publication may be reproduced provided that any extracts are acknowledged.

This publication should be cited as: DPIPWE (2016) Species Profile: Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Hobart, Tasmania.

For more information about this Species Profile, please contact:

Wildlife Management Branch Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Address: GPO Box 44, Hobart, TAS. 7001, Australia. Phone: 1300 386 550 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Disclaimer The information provided in this Species Profile is provided in good faith. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon this information and/or reliance on its availability at any time.

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1. SummaryThe Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) is a South American parrot found in north-eastern

Brazil, eastern Bolivia, northern Argentina, and southern Paraguay. The species is heavily traded

and is one of the world’s most popular captive parrots, due in part to its colour patterning,

hardiness and its ability to imitate the human voice.

The relationship with other species is complex. The Blue-fronted Amazon is very similar in

appearance to the Yellow-crowned Amazon (A. ochrocephala) and the Yellow-shouldered Amazon

(A. barbadensis). The Blue-fronted Amazon is known to hybridise with the Yellow-headed Amazon

(A. oratrix) and is suspected of hybridising with other Amazona species.

The Blue-fronted Amazon is considered an agricultural pest in some parts of its South American

range for impacting on agriculture, including maize and sunflower crops and causing damage to fruit

crops during winter.

A small introduced population of Blue-fronted Amazons and Yellow-headed Amazons (A. oratrix)

has established in Stuttgart, Germany where they have hybridised. The population was introduced

in 1984 and 46 individuals were reported in 2012. Consumption of Common Ivy, Birch, Oak,

Walnut, Pine, Pear, Apple, Cherry, Plum, Peach, Willow, Maple and Horse Chestnut trees has been

recorded.

Another introduced population has been recorded in southern Florida. The population was first

detected in 1982 with 103 birds counted in 2002.

Modelling based on the species’ native range suggests that northern and north-east Australia has

areas of similar climate which may strongly support introduced populations of Blue-fronted

Amazons. Modelling suggests that Tasmania’s climate is moderately similar (climate match scores

between 0 and 6).

The species is listed as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List, and is listed as ‘Species taken to

Suitable for Live Import’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In

Tasmania, the Blue-fronted Amazon is a ‘controlled animal’ under the Nature Conservation Act 2002.

The Vertebrate Pest Committee assessed the Blue-fronted Amazon as a ‘Serious’ threat.


2. Introduction

2.1 NAME AND TAXONOMY

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Family: Psittacidae

Genus: Amazona

Species: A. aestiva

Sub-species or variety (if applicable): A. a. aestiva and A. a. xanthopteryx

Common names (including any industry or trade names): Blue-fronted Amazon,

Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Turquoise-fronted Parrot, Blue-fronted Parrot, Yellow-winged

Amazon.

Known hybrids: Hybridises with the Yellow-headed Amazon (A. oratrix) (Martens et al. 2013), and

potential to hybridise with the Yellow-crowned Amazon (A. ochrocephala) (Eberhard & Bermingham

2004). Suspected of hybridising with other Amazona species.

Close relatives: Yellow-crowned Amazon (A. ochrocephala), Yellow-naped Amazon (A.

auropalliata), Yellow-shouldered Amazon (A. barbadensis) and Yellow-headed Amazon (A. oratrix)

(Eberhard & Bermingham 2004; Urantowka et al. 2014).

2.2 DESCRIPTION

Note that there may be substantial variation in coloration, and that the species may have the same

features as the Yellow-crowned Amazon (A. ochrocephala), and the Yellow-shouldered Amazon (A.

barbadensis) (Ribas et al. 2007; Urantowka et al. 2014).

As outlined in del Hoyo et al. 1994, Blue-fronted Amazons are typically 37cm in length with mean

weight of 400g. The fore-crown is blue, with the mid-crown, face, chin and throat yellow, blue or

green. The posterior ear-coverts, sides of the neck, the nape and the mantle are green with heavy

black edging that produces a scaled effect. This effect is less pronounced on the wings and

underside. The shoulder and speculum are red, the primary feathers are tipped dark blue, and the

tail is green with a yellowish tip and lateral feathers basally barred with red. The blue and yellow of

the head is reduced in immature members of the species.

No clear differences in the appearance of males and females have been noted, and some

researchers use blood tests to genetically determine gender (e.g. Seixas & Mourao 2002; Berkunsky


& Reboreda 2009) or laparoscope (Thompson 1995). No seasonal variations in appearance have

been noted, and the species is unlikely to be confused with Australian species.

The Blue-fronted Amazon (A. aestiva) is very similar in appearance to the Yellow-crowned Amazon

(A. ochrocephala) and the Yellow-shouldered Amazon (A. barbadensis) and there is doubt over the

plumage differences used to distinguish the species (Ribas et al. 2007; Urantowka et al. 2014,). The

overlapping range of the Blue-fronted Amazon and the Yellow-crowned Amazon in South America

is shown in Figure 1.

2.3 CONSERVATION AND LEGAL STATUS

The Blue-fronted Amazon is one of the world’s most popular captive parrots, due in part to its

colour patterning, hardiness and its ability to imitate the human voice (Forshaw & Cooper 1989

cited in Seixas & Mourao 2002).

The species is listed as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List and the species has an extremely

large range. Although the size of the global population has not been quantified, trends indicate that

the population is declining (BirdLife International 2012). The species is heavily traded, and

progressive destruction of nesting habitat and exploitation may have contributed to a reduction in

population size (Sauad et al. 1991a and Beissinger & Bucher 1992 cited in Seixas & Mourao 2002).

As Psittaciformes, the species is listed in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Appendix II species are species that are ‘not

necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid

utilization incompatible with their survival’ (CITES 2015).

In Australia, Blue-fronted Amazons are listed as ‘Species taken to Suitable for Live Import’ under

the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and require permit to import under

the Act.

In Tasmania, the Blue-fronted Amazon is a ‘controlled animal’ under the Nature Conservation Act

2002. A permit is required to import this species.


3. Biology and Ecology

3.1 LIFE HISTORY

Blue-fronted Amazons are monogamous and reach sexual maturity at three or four years old

(Blue-fronted Amazon Project, date unknown). Breeding occurs in Spring and early Summer, with

nesting occurring in tree hollows generally nine metres up (del Hoyo et al. 1994).

In general, parrots tend to have relatively small eggs, long incubation periods and asynchronous

clutches. Hatchlings are featherless with closed eyes and cannot support their heads. They grow

slowly and fledge after a considerable time in the nest (Bucher 1983 cited in Seixas & Mourao

2003).

Little is known about the systematic reproductive characteristics of this species (Forshaw &

Cooper 1989 cited in Seixas & Mourao 2003). The species is not noted for storing sperm. The

species hybridises with the Yellow-headed Amazon A. oratrix (Martens et al. 2013), and is suspected

of hybridising with other Amazona species.

3.2 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES

The Blue-fronted Amazon lives in sub-tropical forests and savannahs of central South America

(Berkunsky & Reboreda 2009). Habitat includes Cerrado and Chaco scrub, savannah, flood plains,

grasslands, palm groves, gallery forest, subtropical woodland, areas of old growth with large trees,

and areas of man-made pasture (del Hoyo et al. 1994; Seixas & Mourao 2000; Seixas & Mourao

2003). The site of a restocking program for the species in the Pantanal of Brazil had an average

temperature range of 18o to 30oC (Seixas & Mourao 2000). The upper elevation limit of the species

is 1600 metres (BirdLife International 2012).

All Amazon parrots are secondary cavity nesters (Forshaw 1989 and Ribas et al. 2007 cited in

Berkunsky & Reboreda 2009). Blue-fronted Amazons take advantage of natural or abandoned nest

cavities in mature trees (living and dead); rarely in cliff faces or arboreal termitarium (del Hoyo et

al. 1994).


3.3 NATURAL GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

The Blue-fronted Amazon is relatively widespread and occurs in north-eastern Brazil, eastern

Bolivia, northern Argentina, and southern Paraguay (Seixas & Mourao 2002). Detail of the species’

distribution is provided in Figure 1. The species has an extremely large range estimated at

4 220 000 km2 (BirdLife International 2012).

Figure 1. Distribution of Blue-fronted Amazon in South America (from Ribas et al. 2007).

The distribution of the Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) is outlined in black and shows the

two subspecies A. a. aestiva and A. a. xanthopteryx. The overlapping distribution of the closely-

related Yellow-crowned Amazon (Amazona ochrochephala) is shown in grey.


3.4 INTRODUCED GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

A small population of Blue-fronted Amazons and Yellow-headed Amazons (A. oratrix) have

hybridised and established following introduction in Stuttgart, Germany (see Figure 2). The

population was introduced in 1984 and 46 individuals were reported in 2012 (Martens et al. 2013).

An introduced population of Blue-fronted Amazons has been recorded in southern Florida. The

population was first detected in 1982 with 103 birds counted in 2002 (Butler 2002). The range of

this feral population, current status, and cause of establishment, is unknown.

Menchetti & Mori (2014) state that: “Small- to medium-sized, widely distributed species (e.g.,

Agapornis spp., Amazona spp., Aratinga spp., Myiopsitta monachus, Psittacula spp.) are the most adept

at establishing non-native populations, because they are (i) more traded than others, (ii) commonly

sold at relatively low prices, (iii) highly synanthropic and (iv) adapted to live in a variety of

environmental conditions, i.e. latitude and habitat types.”

Figure 2. Feeding range of the Blue-fronted Amazon within Stuttgart, Germany (from

Martens et al. 2013). The feeding range is shown in dark grey, while the city is indicated in the light

grey colour. The roost site is located in Bad Cannstatt.


3.5 POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION IN TASMANIA

Using modelling by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, a climate comparison

between the species’ distribution in South America and Stuttgart, Germany (Ribas et al. 2007;

Martens et al. 2013) and potential Australian distribution is shown in Figure 3. The introduced

Florida population has not been included in the modelling due to uncertainty in the range of that

population.

Modelling suggests that northern and north-east Australia has areas of similar climate which may

strongly support introduced populations of Blue-fronted Amazons. Modelling suggests that

Tasmania’s east coast is moderately similar, with climate match scores between 0 and 6.

Figure 3. Climate comparison between the natural range of A. aestiva and Australia, where 10 is a

‘perfect’ climate match and 0 having a dissimilar climate. Tasmania shows a match between 0 and 6.

3.6 DIET AND FEEDING BEHAVIOUR

Blue-fronted Amazons are herbivorous generalists that feed on the fruit, flowers and seeds of a

range of plants, including fruits of Melia, Aspidosperma, Prosopis, Schinopsis and Ziziphus, and seeds of

Citrus, Anadenanthera, Bulnesia and Cercidium. Fruits of cactus and palm seeds may be eaten, along

with flowers of Erythrina and Morus (del Hoyo et al. 1994). Consumption of Common Ivy, Birch,

Oak, Walnut, Pine, Pear, Apple, Cherry, Plum, Peach, Willow, Maple and Horse Chestnut trees


(among other species) has been recorded following introduction in Stuttgart, Germany (Martens et

al. 2013).

A captive breeding program fed young individuals crushed fruit and vegetables mixed with corn

meal, and later provided whole fruit and vegetables and seeds and grains as the birds grew older

(Seixas & Mourao 2000).

The species may interact with agriculture, and is noted by del Hoyo et al. 1994 for despoiling maize

and sunflower crops, and causing some damage to fruit (especially citrus) crops during winter.

Individuals may have a range of 1ha-1,600ha (Seixas & Mourao 2000).

3.7 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND GROUPINGS

The species is not known for territorial or aggressive behaviour, and is readily kept as a domestic

pet. Amazons are recognised for their intelligence and ability to sing and mimic the human voice,

with some trained individuals having a vocabulary of over a hundred words (Thompson 1995).

In the wild, Blue-fronted Amazons tend to fly alone, in pairs, or in small groups. When released,

captive-bred individuals tended to fly in groups and roost together (Seixas & Mourao 2000).

3.8 NATURAL PREDATORS AND DISEASE

Blue-fronted Amazons have a variety of predators, including Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)

and Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco), and they are vulnerable to attacks from dogs (Seixas &

Mourao 2000; Seixas & Mourao 2002).

In Tasmania, potential predators include the Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), Spotted-tailed

Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), and large raptors such as the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax fleayi)

and White-Bellied Sea-eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster). The species is likely to be predated on by

domestic dogs and cats.

In their natural environment, Blue-fronted Amazons are vulnerable to bot-fly (Pilornis sp. larvae,

Diptera: Muscidae) in the nestling stage (Seixas & Mourao 2003), and ticks and mallophaga (lice) are

frequently found in nests (Marini et al. 1996 cited in Seixas & Mourao 2003).

The species may carry Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (Huff et al. 1988) which a common and

potentially deadly disease of parrots and found in Australia (Department of Environment and

Heritage 2005). Avian polyomavirus, mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and avian salmonellosis

have also been recorded in the species (Philadelpho et al. 2015; Hoop 2002; Marietto-Goncalves et

al. 2010; respectively).

The species may also carry avian chlamydiosis which may transfer to humans (‘psittacosis’)

(NASPHV 2010; Kaleta & Taday 2003).


3.9 THREAT TO HUMAN SAFETY

The species is unlikely to cause physically injury, although some unsubstantiated reports suggest the

species can be ‘nippy’, particularly mature males. The species is unlikely to cause injury requiring

hospitalisation.

The species may carry avian chlamydiosis (called ‘psittacosis’ in humans) (NASPHV 2010).

3.10 HISTORY AS A PEST

The Blue-fronted Amazon is considered an agricultural pest in some parts of South America

(Navarro et al. 1991). It is recognised for impacting in agriculture, including maize and sunflower

crops, and causing some damage to fruit (especially citrus) crops during winter (del Hoyo et al.

1994). The pest status of this species is thought to have contributed to the Government’s high

export quotas, although research into actual impacts of the species on citrus trees found that

damage was very minor and not economically important (Navarro et al. 1991).

The species is not known to cause modification or major habitat changes, and has not been noted

for spreading rapidly following release in new environments.

3.11 POTENTIAL IMPACT IN TASMANIA

If established, the Blue-fronted Amazon could potentially compete with native species for tree

hollows. This includes threatened Tasmanian species, such as the Swift Parrot (endangered),

Orange-Bellied Parrot (endangered), and Forty-Spotted Pardalote (endangered), and non-

threatened native species such as Musk Lorikeet and Blue-winged Parrot.

The species has attributes that suggest it may impact on the timber and agricultural industry within

Tasmania, including trees, vegetables, fruit, cereal grains and flowers.

The species may also contribute to the spread of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease.


4. Risk Assessment

4.1 PREVIOUS RISK ASSESSMENTS

In a previous risk assessment, the Vertebrate Pest Committee assessed the Blue-fronted Amazon

as a ‘Serious’ threat (VPC 2007).

The species is included on the Department of Environment’s 2007 Inventory of Exotic (non-native)

Bird Species known to be in Australia and is classified as ‘high interest’ based on pest and disease risk

and the potential for illegal trade in the species (DoE 2007).

The Western Australian Department of Agriculture assessed the Blue-fronted Amazon as

representing too high a risk. The species is prohibited and listed as ‘no entry, eradicate in the wild,

and no keeping’ in Western Australia (DoA 2004).


5. ReferencesBerkunsky, I. and Reboreda, J. C. (2009). Nest-site fidelity and captivity reoccupation by Blue-

fronted Parrots Amazona aestiva in the dry Chaco of Argentina. Ibis 151: 145-150.

BirdLife International (2012). Amazona aestiva. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012.

<www.iucnredlist.org>. Accessed 14 December 2015.

Blue-fronted Amazon Project (date unknown). <https://bluefrontedamazonproject.wordpress.com>

Accessed 4 February 2016.

Butler, C.J. (2005). Feral Parrots in the Continental United States and United Kingdom: Past,

Present, and Future. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 19(2): 142-149.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (2015).

Appendices I, II and III. <https://www.cites.org/eng>. Accessed 4 February 2016.

Eberhard, J.R. and Bermingham, E. (2004). Phylogeny and biogeography of the Amazona ochrocephala

(Aves: Psittacidae) complex. The Auk 121(2): 318-332.

Department of Agriculture (DoA) (2004). Importing and keeping introduced mammals, birds, reptiles

and amphibians in Western Australia. State of Western Australia.

Department of Environment (2007). 2007 Inventory of Exotic (non-native) Bird Species known to be in

Australia. Australian Government. <www.environment.gov.au>

Department of Environment and Heritage (2005). Threat Abatement Plan for Beak and Feather

Disease Affecting Endangered Psittacine Species. Australian Government. ISBN 0 642 549117.

Hoop, K.R. (2002). Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in a Canary (Serinus canaria L.) and a Blue-

Fronted Amazon Parrot (Amazona amazona aestiva). Avian Diseases 46(2): 502-504.

del Hoyo J., Elliott A. and Sargatal J. eds. (1994). Handbook of Birds of the World. Lynx Edicons,

Barcelona.

Huff, D.G., Schmidt, R.E. and Fudge, A.M. (1988). Psittacine Beak and Feather Syndrome in a Blue-

Fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva). AAV Today 2: 84-86

Kaleta, E.F. and Taday E.M.A. (2003). Avian host range of Chlamydophila spp. based on isolation,

antigen detection and serology. Avian Pathology 32(5): 435-462.

Marietto-Goncalves, G.A., Almeida, S.M., Lima, E.T., Okamoto, A.S., Pinczowski, P. and Filho, R.L.A.

(2010). Isolation of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis in Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot

(Amazona aestiva). Avian Diseases 54: 151-155.

Martens, J., Hoppe, D. and Woog, F. (2013). Diet and Feeding Behaviour of Naturalised Amazon

Parrots in a European City. Ardea 101(1): 71-76.

Menchetti, M. and Mori, E. (2014). Worldwide impact of alien parrots (Aves Psittaciformes) on

native biodiversity and environment: a review. Ethology Ecology & Evolution 26: 172–194.

https://www.cites.org/eng


National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) (2010). Compendium of

Measures To Control Chlamydophila psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet

Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis). <www.nasphv.org> Accessed 11 February 2016.

Navarro, J.L., Martella, M.B. and Chediack, A. (1991). Analysis of Blue-fronted Amazon damage to a

citrus orchard in Tucuman, Argentina. Agriscientia VIII: 75-78.

Philadelpho, N.A., Guimarães, M.B. and Ferreira, A.J.P. (2015). A Case Report of Avian

Polyomavirus Infection in a Blue Fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) Associated with Anemia.

Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine, Article ID 350794. doi:10.1155/2015/350794.

Ribas, C.C., Tavares, E.S., Yoshihara, C., and Miyaki, C.Y. (2007). Phylogeny and biogeography of

Yellow-headed and Blue-fronted Parrots (Amazona ochrocephala and Amazona aestiva) with

special reference to the South American taxa. Ibis doi: 10.1111/j.1474-919x.2007.00681.x.

Seixas, G.H.F. and Mourao, G.M. (2000). Assessment of restocking blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona

aestiva) in the Pantanal of Brazil. Ararajuba 8: 73-78.

Seixas, G.H.F. and Mourao, G.M. (2002). Nesting success and hatching survival of the Blue-fronted

Amazon (Amazona aestiva) in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Journal of Field

Ornithology 73(4): 399-409.

Seixas, G.H.F. and Mourao, G.M. (2003). Growth of nestlings of the Blue-fronted Amazon

(Amazona aestiva) raised in the wild or in captivity. Ornitologia Neotropical 14: 295-305.

Thompson, D.R. (1995). Breeding Amazons in Captivity. Afa WATCHBIRD 22(3): 13-17.

Urantowka, A.D., Mackiewicz, P. and Strzala, T. (2014). Phylogeny of Amazona barbadensis and the

Yellow-headed Amazon Complex (Aves: Psittacidae): A New Look at South American

Parrot Evolution. PLoS ONE 9(5): doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0097228.

Vertebrate Pest Committee. (2007). Vertebrate Pest Committee list of exotic vertebrate animals in

Australia, July 2007. <www.feral.org.au>.

15/15 Pest Risk Assessment: [Common name] [Scientific name]

NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

DIVISION

Department of Primary Industries,

Parks, Water and Environment

GPO Box 44, Hobart 7001

Ph: 1300 368 550

Email:

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Visit: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

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