Green-cheeked Amazon
Amazona viridigenalis
Northeastern Mexico • Red-crowned Amazon
IUCN Status
Endangered
The Green-cheeked Amazon (Amazona viridigenalis), also known as the Red-crowned Amazon, is a vibrant and intelligent parrot from northeastern Mexico. It features bright green plumage with a distinctive red crown and forehead, blue cheeks, and a red wing speculum. Known for its playful, outgoing, and highly vocal personality, this species is an excellent talker and makes a lively companion. Due to habitat loss and the pet trade, it is listed as Endangered in the wild.
General Description
| Common Name | Green-cheeked Amazon (Red-crowned Amazon) |
| Latin Name | Amazona viridigenalis |
| Family | Psittacidae • Amazon Parrots |
| Adult Size | 30–33 cm (12–13 in) |
| Weight | 250–350 g |
| Life Span | 40–60+ years in captivity |
| Sexual Maturity | 4–6 years |
| Clutch Size | 2–4 eggs |
| Gender Difference | Minimal visual dimorphism. Males are slightly larger; DNA testing is recommended. |
| Natural Habitat | Tropical deciduous forests, thorn forests, and woodland edges in northeastern Mexico. |
| Origin / Range | Endemic to northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and San Luis Potosí). |
| Care Level | Intermediate • Social and needs plenty of interaction and enrichment |
Amazona viridigenalis • Adult showing red crown and green plumage
GREEN-CHEEKED AMAZON • ENDANGERED MEXICAN BEAUTY
Plumage & Features
The Green-cheeked Amazon is predominantly bright green with a prominent red crown and forehead, blue cheeks, and a red wing speculum. The tail has a broad red band with blue and green edges. The beak is horn-coloured with a dark tip.
Juveniles have less red on the crown and duller overall coloration. This species is known for being vocal and is a good talker, often learning words and phrases with clear pronunciation.
Conservation Status:
Endangered (IUCN Red List) — CITES Appendix II
Amazona Genus
Northeastern Mexico
Green-cheeked Amazon