The Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis) also known as the Imperial Parrot, Dominican Amazon, August Amazon, or Sisserou, is a green-and-purple-plumaged amazon parrot. It is the largest member in the diverse genus Amazona measuring 45 cm (18 in) in length and weighing up to 900 g (2 lbs) when fully grown. The Imperial Parrot has a green back, purple neck, green-tipped red tail and purple underparts. The sexes are similar.
The Imperial Amazon is endemic to mountain forests of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles, where it is the national bird and is featured on the Dominican flag. On Dominica, one of the last remaining habitats of the Imperial Amazon is in the slopes of Morne Diablotins, the highest volcanic peak of the Caribbean islands. Its diet consists mainly of fruits and seeds. It nests in hollow trees covered with vines or plants.
Read more about Imperial Amazon: Status
Famous quotes containing the word imperial:
“All the terrors of the French Republic, which held Austria in awe, were unable to command her diplomacy. But Napoleon sent to Vienna M. de Narbonne, one of the old noblesse, with the morals, manners, and name of that interest, saying, that it was indispensable to send to the old aristocracy of Europe men of the same connection, which, in fact, constitutes a sort of free- masonry. M. de Narbonne, in less than a fortnight, penetrated all the secrets of the imperial cabinet.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)