National Symbols of Saint Lucia - Saint Lucian Parrot

Saint Lucian Parrot

The Saint Lucia Amazon (also known as the Saint Lucia Parrot) (Amazona versicolor) is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It is endemic to Saint Lucia and is the country's national bird.

It was first described by Miller in 1776, this beautiful parrot is, and always has been found only in Saint Lucia. It is predominantly green in colour, and a typical specimen has a cobalt blue forehead merging through turquoise to green on the cheeks and a scarlet breast.

There are no visible differences between the two sexes. Mating for life and maturing after five years, these long-lived birds are cavity nesters, laying two to three white eggs in the hollow of a large tree during the onset of the dry season between February and April. Incubation commences on the appearance of the second egg and lasts 27 days. The young fledge leave the nest 67 days after hatching.

Today the parrot, and most other forms of wildlife are absolutely protected in the country, because Saint Lucia’s National Bird remains an endangered species.

Read more about this topic:  National Symbols Of Saint Lucia

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