Alternative Name
Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon
Scientific Name: Amazona finschi woodi
Basic Info
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is slightly larger than his cousin the Lilac Crown Amazon. Averaging a mature size of 13.5 inches (34cm) in length, the Lilac Crowned Amazon is of medium size compared to other Amazons. His wingspan ranges from seven and a half to eight and a half inches (193-215mm). Like most amazons, the primary color of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is green. His coloring is basically the same as the Lilac Crown Amazon except his feathers are less yellow, and the reddish colors on the forehead are usually duller in color and narrower. His body is accented in many colors. Greenish yellow feathers can be seen decorating the front of his crown, abdomen, ear coverlets, chest, and cheeks. His lores, forehead, and the front of his crown are a reddish brown or maroon color, while pale blue is seen on his nape and the sides of his neck. The wings and tail feathers of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon are quite stunning. The secondary feathers of the wings are seen in a striking violet blue, with red-wing speculum seen on the first five feathers. His tail is green with yellow tips, featuring blue feathers towards the outside of the tail. The colors of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon mature with age. His feet are gray. His beak is yellowish, and his eyes possess a lovely orange iris.
Health
The Lilac Crown LOVES to chew! You must provide him with plenty of toys for this purpose only. Like other parrots, these are intelligent creatures and can become bored easily if they are left alone. For this reason, it is often recommended to leave a radio or television on for them in your absence. Because of their intelligence, it is not uncommon for a Lilac Crown to escape from his cage; make sure that you parrot proof the cage, so that he does not become an adept escape artist!
Like many parrots the Lilac Crown Amazon is susceptible to Psittacosis, and other parrot diseases. A sensible diet, routine health care, and clean living quarters usually helps to all but eliminate these problems.
Breeding
Breeding outside of the wild is often difficult with Lilac Crown Amazons. The Lilac Crown will display aggression towards other birds during breeding season and thusly breeding pairs must be separated at this time. Courtship usually begins in May, resulting in the hen laying two to four eggs, which take 26 days to hatch. The offspring usually do not leave the nest for at least two months.
Habitat
N/A
Behavior
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is blessed with both good looks and intelligence! It is no surprise the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is a favorite among many parrot fanciers.
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon (Amazona Finschi Woodi) is often confused with his cousin the Lilac Crown Amazon, also called 'Finsch's Amazon' (Amazona Finschi Finschi. The literature does not make much distinction between the two species other than slight physical differences. For this reason much of the behavioral discussion here is the same as the Lilac Crown Amazon.
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is not as well known for talking as other Amazons such as the Double Yellow Headed Amazon, but some maintain he is a good talker. Others hold that he usually is not much of a talker, but some will make surprisingly chatty companions. Several owners of Lilac Crown Amazons claim their Lilac Crowns not only talk, but they sing! It is held that the chances for talking are greatly increased if you raise your Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon from a baby. There are of course never any guarantees about talking ability. Even if your Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon never utters a word he is still a wonderful pet. The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon does well in homes with families. If they are socialized well from an early age, they tend to get along well with all family members; this is often not the case with many Amazons. The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon displays a very even temperament that stays throughout adulthood. Some other breeds of Amazon become very aggressive as they reach sexual maturity. The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon may display a little bad behavior during his sexual maturity but in most cases it passes very quickly. Their even temperament makes them a great choice in family households. Like other Amazons, the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon can be noisy. If you want a quiet companion the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is not the pet for you. The Lilac Crown takes great pleasure from making his jungle noises and he should never be forbidden to do so. Another love of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is chewing. You should provide your Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon with a variety of toys in their play area to chew on.
Origin
Mexico
History
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon originates in Mexico. He is commonly seen in northwestern Mexico. The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon does bear a strong resemblance to other parrot species such as the Mexican Red Head and the Green Cheeked Amazon, but closer inspection reveals several differences.
Common Foods
N/A