Thick-billed Parrot

Range:
They historically have appeared as far north as Arizona but are now primarily found in the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico.

Habitat:
Highland pine & oak forests

Size:
Length: 15-16 inches; Weight: -3/4 lbs

Young:
2-4 eggs

Incubation:
28 days

Diet (wild):
Pine cone seeds, acorns, and fruits

Diet (zoo):
Jungle pellets, large seed mix, small seed mix, fruits and vegetables

Lifespan (wild):
Unknown

Lifespan (captivity):
40-60 years

Status:
CITES I and II; Endangered C1 (it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future and has a population of less than 250 mature individuals and has an estimated decrease of 25% in the next 3 years or 1 generation- whichever is longer)

Threats:
Loss of breeding habitat, very low numbers of mature individuals, and shooting

Anatomy/Physiology:
It is green in color with a red band on its forehead and red splotches on its wings and thighs. They have binocular vision, and are zygodactyls (beak is used as a third foot).

Social/Family units:
They can be found in flocks of 7 or 8 up to 1000 birds.

Habits:
In the early mornings they tend to fly off in small groups to look for food.

Communication:
They are very noisy and have a lot of different vocals. One screech can be heard up to 2 miles.

Prey items:
Pine cone seeds, acorns, and fruits

Predators:
Red-Tailed Hawk, Northern Goshawk, the Peregrine Falcon, and the ring-tailed cat.

Locomotion:
They are strong fliers and generally fly at a high altitude. When they fly it is often in a V-formation or a line.

Activity:
Diurnal

Interesting story/facts:
The only living parrot that naturally ranged in the continental U.S. They are so loud it is easy for hunters to find their nests.