Red-crowned Parrot
Amazona viridigenalis

At a Glance

When these stocky parrots fly overhead, they may be recognized by their loud cries of heeeyo, cra-cra-cra. Birds escaped from captivity are free-flying (and sometimes nesting) locally in Florida and California; those seen in southern Texas include escapees and possibly also wild strays from Mexico. Ironically, on its limited native range in northeastern Mexico, the species has declined seriously and might even be considered threatened.
Category
Perching Birds
Conservation
Endangered
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Region
California, Florida, Texas
Behavior
Direct Flight

Range & Identification

Description

12" (30cm). A chunky, short-tailed parrot, mostly bright green. Male has forehead and most of crown red, some dull blue on nape; female and young show less red. Yellow-green band at tip of tail. Like other Amazona parrots, has red patch in wing, most obvious in flight.
Size
About the size of a Crow
Color
Blue, Green, Orange, Red
Wing Shape
Broad, Fingered
Tail Shape
Rounded, Short, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Various talkative, grating calls when perched; in flight a piercing, high-pitched call followed by 3 or 4 much lower, abrupt klaak! calls.
Call Pattern
Flat
Call Type
Odd, Rattle, Scream

Climate Vulnerability

Conservation Status

Climate Map

Audubon’s scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the Red-crowned Parrot. Learn even more in our Audubon’s Survival By Degrees project.

Climate Threats Facing the Red-crowned Parrot

Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.