At a Glance

Native to western Mexico, these chunky parrots are often kept in captivity, and escaped birds may survive for years around southern cities. They are seen regularly in cities of coastal southern California, especially Los Angeles and San Diego. In Texas they are found both in the lower Rio Grande Valley of the southern tip and also around El Paso. Other sightings come from cities of southeastern Florida. In these feral flocks they often mix with related species such as Red-crowned and Yellow-headed Parrots.
Category
Perching Birds
Conservation
Endangered
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Behavior
Direct Flight

Range & Identification

Description

13" (33 cm). Large, short-tailed parrot. Mostly green with pale lilac on crown and nape, reddish on forehead. Red patch on secondaries in wings is apparent in flight. Outer tail feathers tipped pale greenish yellow.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Wing Shape
Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Rounded, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Contrasting to the down-slurred whistle of the Red-Crowned Parrot the Lilac-crowned gives a squeaky, up-slurred “kree, kree”, a rolling “krreeeih”, and a raven-like croak.

Habitat

Deciduous and semi-deciduous forests along the Mexican coast, as well as pine-oak forests.Residential and suburban area in California; sometimes in native oaks. Has nested in native coniferous forest in the San Gabriel Mountains. Also found in Florida. Not abundant in any of these areas.

Behavior

Nesting

Pacific coastal forests in humid valleys at 600-1000 m are optimal nesting habitat, providing important food resources during the dry season.

Climate Vulnerability

Conservation Status