About Amazona mercenaria (Tschudi, 1844)
Description: Adult Amazona mercenaria measure 34 cm (13.2 inches) in length and weigh 300 g (10.5 oz). Nominate individuals are primarily bright green. From the crown to the nape, dark green feathers are tinged with dull blue or black and tipped with dull black. They have red eyes surrounded by a pale gray eye-ring. The first through third secondary wing feathers have red bases, while all other wing feathers have green bases. The carpal edge is yellow, mixed with red and orange. The tail is green with a yellow-green band; side tail feathers are banded red and blue-purple, and the outermost tail feather is edged with blue-purple. The bill is a mix of gray and horn color. Juveniles look similar to adults, but have a pale horn-colored bill tinged with gray, and brown eyes.
Distribution and habitat: This species occurs in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It lives at elevations between 800–1,900 m (2,600–6,200 ft) above sea level. Across most of its range, it is typically the only species from the genus Amazona present. It inhabits hill and mountain forests in upper tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones. It can also be found in open woodland with large trees, open forest on ridges, and wooded valleys and ravines in the paramo zone.
Behavior and ecology: This species is most often encountered in pairs or small flocks. Nesting sites are usually located in inaccessible places. It is described as a shy bird.
