The thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha ) is a medium-sized parrot endemic to Mexico that formerly ranged into the southwestern United States. Its position in parrot phylogeny is the subject of ongoing discussion; it is sometimes referred to as thick-billed macaw or thick-billed conure. In Mexico, it is locally called guacamaya ("macaw") or cotorra serrana ("mountain parrot"). Classified internationally as Endangered through IUCN, the thick-billed parrot's decline has been central to multiple controversies over wildlife management. In 2018, the estimated wild population in Mexico was 1,700.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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NomadicNomadic animals regularly move to and from the same areas within a well-defined range. Most animals travel in groups in search of better territorie...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
Highly social animals are those which are highly interactive with other members of their species. They live in large groups, nest in colonies, and ...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Thick-billed parrot is found in Mexico and formerly ranged into the southwestern United States. It is the only surviving parrot species native to North America. This bird is bright green in color with a large black bill and red forecrown, shoulder, and thighs. Adult eyes are amber, while juveniles have brown eyes. The rest of the body is bright green and the tail is black in color.
Thick-billed parrots are largely restricted to the Sierra Madre Occidental in Chihuahua and Durango, Mexico. They live in temperate conifer, pine, mature pine-oak, and fir forests.
Thick-billed parrots are highly social birds that live in flocks. According to historical records, their flocks could contain over 1,000 birds in one place. These parrots prefer to live at higher elevations and are adapted to cold and snowy winters. They are adept fliers, and according to historical accounts, the birds were sleeping in one mountain range and were crossing vast distances to feed in another mountain range each day. They deal with deep snow by hanging upside-down and climbing on the bare underside of a snow-covered branch in order to access cones, their favorite food. Thick-billed parrots may feed each other food stored in their crop (a pouch in the throat), and spend their free time preening each other. They are quite noisy especially during the flight; the common call of these parrots includes a variety of harsh, rolling calls described as similar to child laughter and can be heard up to 3.2 km (2 miles) away.
Thick-billed parrots are omnivores. They mainly feed on seeds from various pine species. but also other seeds, acorns, pine buds, fruit and berries, tree bark, and insects.
Thick-billed parrots are monogamous and form strong pair bonds that last for life. These birds are strongly dependent on the supply of conifer cones and breed at the peak of pine seed production. This usually occurs from May until August. They nest in tree cavities, especially old woodpecker holes. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs and incubates them about 24-30 days, while the male forages for food. Chicks stay in the cavity for 2 months and become independent when they are 7 months old.
The Thick-billed parrot population has declined greatly since the early 1900s. Its former range included the United States including Arizona and New Mexico. Heavy shooting, logging, and development extirpated the Thick-billed parrot from its US range. At present, the major threats to these birds include illegal pet trade, habitat loss principally due to logging, climate change (hotter temperatures that raise the snow line and increasing fire threats), and predators especially hawks and owls.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Thick-billed parrot is around 2,000-2,800 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...