Amazona barbadensis (Gmelin, 1788)

Scientific Classification and Basic Appearance

The yellow-shouldered amazon, with the scientific name Amazona barbadensis (Gmelin, 1788), is mainly green and approximately 33 cm (around 13 inches) long. It has a whitish forehead and lores, with yellow coloring on the crown, ocular region, and often the ear coverts and chin.

Head Markings

Its bare eye-ring is white.

Wing and Body Markings

Yellow markings appear on the thighs and the bend of the wing, commonly called the shoulder, though both can be hard to see. The throat, cheeks, and belly often have a bluish tinge.

Feather Structure

Like most members of the genus Amazona, it has broad dark blue tips on the remiges and a red wing-speculum.

Similar Species Distinction (Plumage)

This species can be distinguished from the very similar orange-winged amazon by the fact that orange-winged amazons lack yellow shoulders and blue coloration around the eyes.

Similar Species Distinction (Vocalization)

Another way to tell it apart from other Amazona species is its somewhat higher pitched vocalizations.

Native Distribution

A. barbadensis is endemic to northern Venezuela, Bonaire, and other nearby islands.

Bonaire Population Size

Bonaire may hold fewer than 400 individual birds.

Margarita Island Population Status

On the Venezuelan island of Margarita, it has been extirpated from the heavily commercialized eastern side, a popular tourist destination, and survives only on the Macanao Peninsula.

Aruba Historical Extinction

It was also originally native to Aruba, but went locally extinct there by 1947.

Aruba Reintroduction Status

In January 2024, a population of over two dozen of these birds was reintroduced to Aruba, and this new population is doing well.

Introduced Populations

An introduced population of A. barbadensis lives on Curaçao.

Habitat Preferences

Unlike other members of the genus Amazona, it is typically found in arid habitats, such as desert scrub and dry forests.

Diet Composition

It feeds on fruits, seeds, and flowers, and frequently eats parts of cactus plants.

Water Adaptation

This parrot can survive with very little additional water, getting most of its required moisture from its diet.

La Blanquilla Habitat Context

This is particularly noticeable on La Blanquilla, a small island that has no natural bodies of water.

Moisture Source in Arid Environments

The cacti it often eats are filled with liquid in both their stems and fruits, which keeps the parrots alive in their arid environment.