Identification guide of MEXICAN PARROTS

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  Identicationguide
of MEXICAN
PARROTS
Illustration and design Raziel Levi Méndez
Elías García López
Authors
Juan Carlos Cantú Guzmán
María Elena Sánchez Saldaña
2018

exico has 22 species of parrots
and macaws belonging to the Psittacidae family.
In 2019 the Mexican norm NOM-059-SEMAR-
NAT-2019 on species at risk will be published
that will include Amazona autumnalis (yellow-
cheeked parrot), classifying it as threatened,
being the only species that was missing from
the norm. Now, 100% of Mexican species are at
risk: 11 species are in danger of extinction; 8 are
threatened and 3 under special protection.
This means that 50% of all Mexican
species would be at risk of
disappearing in the short term.
Parrots and macaws inhabit very diverse eco-
systems, ranging from the tropical rainforests
of the southeast to the pine and oak forests of
the northern sierras. Seven species are endemic
to Mexico: the thick-billed parrot ( Rhynchop-
sitta pachyrhyncha ), the maroon-fronted parrot
( Rhynchopsitta terrisi ), the lilac-crowned parrot
( Amazona nschi ), the red-crowned parrot
( Amazona viridigenalis ), the blue-rumped par-
rotlet ( Forpus cyanopygius ), the green parakeet
( Psittacara holochlorus ), and the Socorro para-
keet ( Psittacara brevipes ).

Taxonomists have reclassied several species and
for this reason their scientic name has changed.
For example, species of the genus Aratinga
have become part of the genus Psittacara and
Eupsittula; the blue-headed parrot is now Ama-
zona guatemalae and the brown-hooded parrot
is now Pyrillia haematotis.
This guide contains indications of the main char-
acteristics for the identication of the 22 species
of Mexican parrots, which are mainly based on
the coloration of the head and bill of the male
bird, and in some cases juveniles and females
were included. When there is a difference with
the males, the females are in general very simi-
lar to the juveniles of the species. A picture was
added in the upper right part in which the length
of the bird from the tip of the beak to the tip of
the tail is given, and a gure of the size of each
species in relation to a man is presented.
Likewise, an invasive exotic species, the monk
parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus ) is included for
the rst time since it was declared as established
in Mexico in 2007 and is now widely distributed
throughout the country in urban areas.
The guide was developed by:
Defenders of Wildlife and Teyeliz, A.C.
to promote awareness of these birds to help
protect and conserve Mexican psittacine species.

Ara macao
Scarlet macaw
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Not endemic
(32-38 in)
Very large
b
a
d
c
Original distribution in Mexico. South of
Tamaulipas, Gulf of Mexico to Chiapas.
At the moment it only exists in two
areas in the tropical rainforest in Chiapas
at the border with Guatemala and in Oaxaca
at the border with Chiapas. Also, in Palenque,
Chiapas, and Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, after 2 suc-
cessful reintroduction projects.
Habitat. Tropical lowland rainforest, also in remote por-
tions of humid rainforest. Often close to rivers
throughout its range.
Threats. Massive deforestation of the rainforest and il-
legal trafc.
a. Yellow wing.
b. Long tail.
c. Red head
and back.
d. Bicolored beak .

Ara militaris
Military macaw
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Not endemic
(32-38 in)
Very large
(27-30 in)
b
a
c
Distribution in Mexico. Pacic slope from south-
ern Sonora to Guerrero. Atlantic slope from
the east of Nuevo León to San Luis Potosí,
central Mexico from Zacatecas to the State of
Mexico and in Puebla adjoining Oaxaca.
Habitat. Mainly in hills, in mountainous terrain, in
wooded areas with canyons, between 1600 ft to
4900 ft, locally reaching 6550 ft, but also regularly
at sea level in the Mexican Pacic. Mainly in isolated
highlands in arid and semi-arid forests, and forests of
oak and pine.
Threats. Illegal trafc, it is the fourth highest trafcked
species by annual volume of conscations.
a. Black
lines in
reddish face.
b. Dark beak.
c. Blue Wings.

Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha
Thick-billed parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Endemic
(15-17 in)
a
b
c
Large
Distribution in Mexico. ENDEMIC, Sierra Madre Occidental
from Chihuahua to western Michoacán. It is a species
that migrates.
Habitat. Mature coniferous forests, with pines and oaks in
secluded and difcult to access forests, occasionally
also in lower locations.
Threats. Deforestation, the loss of primary forests and con-
sequently the decrease of nesting sites are the great-
est threat factor for this species.
a. Red front.
b. Black beak.
c. Red shoulder.

Rhynchopsitta terrisi
Maroon-fronted parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Endemic
(15-17 in) (16-18 in)
a
b
c
Large Large
Distribution in Mexico. ENDEMIC, Sierra Madre Oriental,
in the southeast of Coahuila, south of Nuevo León
and southwest of Tamaulipas. Recently registered
in the Sierra Gorda, Querétaro. During the winter in
the mountains of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
Habitat. Highlands with forests of pines and oaks.
Threats. Deforestation, the loss of forests threatens
feeding areas.
a. Red front.
b. Black beak.
c. Red shoulder.
a. Maroon front.
b. Black beak.
c. Red shoulder.

Amazona albifrons
White-fronted parrot
NOM 059: Special
protection
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. White front.
b. Red ring around eye.
(10-11.5 in)
a
b
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Pacic slope from southern Sonora
to Chiapas (absent in Colima and Michoacán). Slope
of the Atlantic from the southeast Veracruz to the
Yucatan Peninsula.
Habitat. Forests and open areas with trees including humid
forests, sub-deciduous, deciduous forests (especially
the edges), pine forests, gallery forest, savannas and
tropical semi-arid vegetation with cactus. Generally, it
prefers drier forests, but when it shares habitat with
Amazona xantholora, it tends to be in more humid
and closed vegetation.
Threats. Illegal trafcking and deforestation. It is the second
highest trafcked species by annual volume of cons-
cations.

Amazona xantholora
Yellow-lored parrot
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. White crown.
b. Yellow lores.
c. Dark spot
on the cheek.
(10-11 in)
a
b c
Medium Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Yucatan Peninsula, in Yucatan,
Quintana Roo and Campeche states.
Habitat. Mainly tropical deciduous forests, generally avoid-
ing high or medium dense and humid forests.
Threats. Deforestation, illegal trafcking.

Amazona viridigenalis
Red-crowned parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Endemic
a. Red head.
b. Dark blue nape.
(12-13 in)
ab
FEMALE:
Green nape
Large
Distribution in Mexico. ENDEMIC, Atlantic slope from the
east of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí
north of Veracruz.
Habitat. Deciduous forests, gallery and evergreen ooded
areas in tropical areas, with non-breeding birds reach-
ing the driest ridges of the mountains up to 3900 ft
above sea level in temperate areas with pine and oak
trees. It frequents cultivated areas where tall trees re-
main.
Threats. Illegal national and international trafcking as it is
a highly prized species. Deforestation.

Amazona nschi
Lilac-crowned parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Endemic
a. Lilac head and neck.
b. Red front.
(12-13.5 in)
ab
Large Large
Distribution in Mexico. ENDEMIC, Pacific slope from
southern Sonora and southwest of Chihuahua to
Oaxaca.
Habitat. Hills and wooded mountains, from the tropical
zone with deciduous rainforests of low elevation to
forests of pine and oak, with a preference for glens
with leafy vegetation along the banks of streams; of-
ten also in arid and semi-arid shrub vegetation, fre-
quents forest edges or cleared areas, and penetrates
cultivated areas and orchards adjacent to forests.
Threats. Deforestation, currently deciduous rainforests have
the highest rate of deforestation of all types of forests
in Mexico. It is the sixth highest trafcked species by
annual volume of conscations.

Amazona autumnalis
Yellow-cheeked parrot
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. Yellow cheek.
b. Red front.
c. Blue crown.
d. Bicolored beak.
(12.5-14 in)
a
b
c
JUVENILE
Large
d
Distribution in Mexico. Atlantic slope from the south of
Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosí, south and east to
Oaxaca, Chiapas, south of Campeche and southern
end of Quintana Roo.
Habitat. Frequents a wide range of wooded and open habi-
tats, including rainforest, tropical deciduous forest,
pine trees, mangroves, wooded swamps, gallery for-
est, areas cultivated with tall trees, and plantations.
Threats. Illegal trafc. It is the sixth highest trafcked spe-
cies by annual volume of conscations. It has just been
classied as threatened in NOM-059 mainly because
of illegal trafc. Deforestation.

Large
c
Amazona guatemalae
(before A. farinosa)
Northern Mealy parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. Blue head.
b. Dark beak.
c. White eye ring.
(15-17 in)
a
b
Large
Distribution in Mexico. Lowlands of Veracruz, Oaxaca,
Chiapas and the south of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Habitat. Mainly in dense and humid tropical forest, espe-
cially near cleared areas and forest edges. It frequents
plantations with tall trees and occurs locally in gallery
forests and less frequently in deciduous forests. Gen-
erally, in the canopy, but descends to the middle level
in clearings.
Threats. Deforestation, 90% of the humid rainforests of
Mexico have disappeared, however, illegal trafc at the
regional level is very large.
JUVENILE

Amazona oratrix
Yellow-headed parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Not endemic
a. Yellow head.
b. Red and yellow
shoulders .
c. Light colored beak.
(14-15 in)
a
b
c
JUVENILE
Large
Distribution in Mexico. Pacic slope from Jalisco to Oax-
aca. Atlantic slope from the east of Nuevo León and
Tamaulipas, towards Tabasco and north of Chiapas.
Habitat. They frequent savannas, deciduous tropical forest
(including cleared areas), dense thorny forest, swamp
forest in the Pacic, evergreen wooded highlands,
dense gallery forest and areas planted with trees, in
lowlands below 1640 ft above sea level.
Threats. Its biggest threat is illegal trafcking given it is
the most sought-after species because of its ability
to talk. It has been documented that there are areas
where the habitat is well preserved, but the popula-
tions have disappeared due to intense poaching.

(14-15 in)
Large
Amazona auropalliata
Yellow-naped parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Not endemic
a. Yellow nape.
b. Dark beak.
c. Dark cere.
(14-15 in)
aLarge
b
Distribution in Mexico. Southern border of Oaxaca to the
south along the coastal strip of the Pacic to Chiapas.
Habitat. Semi-arid forests, arid shrublands and savannas
(including pine forests), deciduous tropical forests and
Pacic marsh forests, gallery forest and sometimes
secondary vegetation in agricultural areas.
Threats. Its biggest threat is the illegal national and interna-
tional trafc because it is a very popular species for its
ability to talk. Deforestation.
JUVENILE

Pionus senilis
White-crowned parrot
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix I
Not endemic
a. White head
and throat.
b. Red tail coverts .
c. Red eye ring.
(9-10 in)
a
a
c
b
JUVENILE
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Atlantic slope from southern
Tamaulipas to Chiapas.
Habitat. Mainly humid forest (including tropical high for-
est), but also locally in pine and oak forest, savanna
and low mountain forest. Reported from forests and
forest edges, cultivated areas and livestock areas with
scattered trees, plantations, and secondary forests
with emergent trees.
Threats. Deforestation, illegal trafcking.

Pyrillia haematotis
(before Pionopsitta haematotis)
Brown-hooded parrot
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Not endemic
a. Dark head.
b. Red ear spot.
(8-9 in)
a
b
JUVENILE
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Atlantic slope from southern
Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Oaxaca and Chiapas.
Habitat. Reported in primary and dense rainforest (including
mature secondary vegetation) about 5250 ft above
sea level in Oaxaca and up to 9850 ft, as well as low
elevation cloud forest, open elds with scattered grass
and trees, and in plantations. It prefers the canopy of
the forest and the edges.
Threats. Deforestation, it is a species with scarce popula-
tions that has been considered rare.

Psittacara holochlorus
(before Aratinga holochlora)
Green parakeet
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
Endemic
a. Orange ecking.
b. Long tail.
a
b
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Disjunct populations in the Atlantic
slope, from the east of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas to
the center of Veracruz; southeast of Veracruz, east of
Oaxaca and east of Chiapas; southwest of Chihuahua,
north of Sinaloa and south of Sonora.
Habitat. All types of wooded habitat except tropical rainfor-
est. In northeastern Mexico, mainly in the highlands,
with some movement towards dry deciduous forests
of low elevations during the non-breeding season.
Threats. Illegal trafcking and deforestation.
(11-12 in)

Psittacara brevipes
(before Aratinga brevipes)
Socorro parakeet
NOM 059: Endangered
CITES: Appendix II
Endemic
a. Purplish eye ring.
b. Long tail.
(12-13 in)
a
b
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. ENDEMIC, it is only found in Isla
Socorro in the Archipelago of the Revillagigedo
Islands.
Habitat. Commonly in forests of Bumelia, Ilex and Guettarda
with trees at least 8 m high.
Threats. Introduction of exotic species to the island such as
cats, sheep, rodents. Destruction of their habitat.
(11-12 in)

Psittacara strenuus
(before Aratinga strenua)
Pacic parakeet
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. Orange ecking.
b. Long tail.
(12-13 in)
a
b
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Pacic slope from eastern Oaxaca
to Chiapas.
Habitat. Semideciduous forests, riparian vegetation and in
patches of medium deciduous and semidecisduous
rainforest.
Threats. Deforestation, illegal trafcking.

Eupsittula nana
(before Aratinga nana)
Aztec parakeet
NOM 059: Special
protection
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. White eye ring.
b. Dark chest.
c. Long tail.
(8.5-9.5 in)
a
b
c
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Atlantic slope from southern
Tamaulipas to Chiapas.
Habitat. Mainly in forests and riparian forest edges in humid
lowlands, but less frequent in large portions of tropi-
cal rainforest and reported in arid areas (Veracruz) and
open elds with isolated trees (including cultivated ar-
eas) and plantations.
Threats. Deforestation and illegal trafc. It is the sixth
highest trafcked species by annual volume of
conscations.

Eupsittula canicularis
(before Aratinga canicularis)
Orange-fronted parakeet
NOM 059: Special
protection
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. Yellow eye ring.
b. Orange front.
c. Long tail.
b
c
a
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. Pacic slope from Sinaloa and
Durango to Chiapas. Locally within the basin of Balsas
riv er.
Habitat. Slightly wooded elds or open areas with scattered
trees in arid and semi-arid lowlands, including spiny
forests and tropical deciduous forests.
Threats. Immense illegal trafc, is the most trafcked spe-
cies in the country with the highest annual volume
of conscations. There are several areas where well-
preserved habitat still exists and the species has disap-
peared due to poaching. Deforestation.
(9-10 in)

Brotogeris jugularis
Orange-chinned parakeet
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. Orange chin.
b. Brownish wing.
c. Whitish eye ring.
a
b
c
Small
Distribution in Mexico. Only on the Pacic coast of Oaxaca
and Chiapas.
Habitat. Mainly in tropical vegetation at low elevation, but it
ascends to subtropical vegetation, gallery forests and
vegetation of medium semideciduous forest in ar-
eas near hills although they also frequent semi-open
areas and closed tropical forests. The species is also
observed in plantations, edge of clearings and culti-
vated areas or of pastures with large trees.
Threats. Deforestation. Illegal trafcking has decimated
populations and has practically disappeared from
Oaxaca.
(7-7.5 in)

Bolborhynchus lineola
Barred parakeet
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
Not endemic
a. Black bars in neck,
back and wings.
b. Black spots on tail
coverts.
a
a
a
Small
b
Distribution in Mexico. Central and western Veracruz,
northern Oaxaca and inland Chiapas.
Habitat. Tropical or subtropical mountain forest, especially
between 4900-7500 ft above sea level, are often found
at minimum elevations of 1950 ft. Cloud forests, rainy
tropical forests and also pine forest.
Threats. Deforestation, the cloud forest is one of the eco-
systems most threatened in Mexico by deforestation.
Illegal trafc.
(6.5-7 in)

Forpus cyanopygius
Blue-rumped parrotlet
NOM 059: Threatened
CITES: Appendix II
Endemic
a. Blue wing
and rump.
a
a
a
Small
Distribution in Mexico. ENDEMIC, Pacic slope from
southern Sonora, Durango and Zacatecas south to
Colima, inland to Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Habitat. Found in gallery and deciduous forests, plantations,
thickets, semi-arid open elds and areas planted with
trees, mainly in lowlands and hills.
Threats. Deforestation and illegal trafcking.
(5-5.5 in)

Myiopsitta monachus
Monk parakeet
INVASIVE SPECIES
CITES: Appendix II
b
a. Gray front and
chest.
b. Long pointy tail.
c. Bluish wing tips.
(11.5 in)
Medium
Distribution in Mexico. INVASIVE EXOTIC SPECIES. Its
original distribution is South America, it has been
massively imported and it has established populations
throughout the country due to voluntary releases or
escapes. Its importation was prohibited since 2010
but imports were not stopped until 2015.
Habitat. Predominantly urban areas but tends to expand to
green areas bordering cities and towns where it has
been liberated.
Threats. Currently it has no threats and its populations are
increasing. The species is considered a pest for crops in
South America since it tends to form large ocks. It is
also a threat to native birds (parakeets and other spe-
cies) as they can be displaced from feeding areas. In ad-
dition, it is considered a threat to energy and urban in-
frastructure due to the construction of massive nests.
c
a
a

LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS
MEXICAN PARROTS
On October 14, 2008, the General Law of Wildlife was
reformed and the use of psittacines was prohibited:
Article 60 Bis 2.- No bird specimen corresponding
to the Psittacidae or psittacine family, whose
natural distribution is within the national
territory, may be subject to extractive exploi-
tation for subsistence or commercial purposes.
The Secretariat may only grant authorizations for
extractive exploitation for conservation or scien-
tic research purposes. Only authorizations for sci-
entic research will be granted to accredited aca-
demic institutions.
The importation, exportation and re-exporta-
tion of any bird specimen corresponding to the
Psittacidae or psittacid family, whose natural
distribution is within the national territory, is
prohibited. Species of psittacines not included
in this article are subject to the provisions set
forth in other laws and International Treaties
of which Mexico is a party.

The Federal Criminal Code establishes sanctions for
those who carry out activities that violate the provisions
of the Law:
Article 420.- A penalty of one to nine years of im-
prisonment and a ne for the equivalent of
three hundred to three thousand days shall be
imposed, to whom unlawfully:
IV. Carry out any activity for the purpose of trafcking,
or capture, possess, transport, collect, introduce
into the country or extract from it, any specimen,
its products or by-products and other genetic re-
sources, of a species of wild, terrestrial or aquatic
ora or fauna that is banned, considered endemic,
threatened, in danger of extinction, subject to es-
pecial protection, or regulated by an international
treaty to which Mexico is a party, or
V. Damage any specimen of the wild, terrestrial or
aquatic ora or fauna mentioned in the previous
section.
An additional penalty of up to three more
years of imprisonment and up to a thousand
days additional ne will be applied when the
conducts described in this article are carried
out in or affect a protected natural area, or
when they are carried out for commercial pur-
poses.
In addition, the Federal Law against Organized Crime was
reformed on April 7, 2017 to include the trafcking of
species as organized crime:
Article 2.- When three or more people organize in
fact to perform, permanently or repeatedly,
conducts that by themselves or linked to oth-
ers, have as purpose or result to commit any
or some of the following crimes, will be sanc-
tioned by that single fact, as members of or-
ganized crime:
X. Against the Environment foreseen in section IV of
article 420 of the Federal Criminal Code.

The modication of the Ofcial Mexican Standard NOM-
059 will leave the 22 species of Mexican psittacids with
the following classication:
Ara Macao
Ara militaris
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha
Rhynchopsitta terrisi
Amazona oratrix
Amazona auropalliata
Amazona viridigenalis
Amazona nschi
Amazona guatemalae
Pyrillia haematotis
Psittacara brevipes
ENDANGERED
11 species
Amazona xantholora
Amazona autumnalis
Pionus senilis
Psittacara holochlorus
Psittacara strenuus
Brotogeris jugularis
Forpus cyanopygius
Bolborhynchus lineola
THREATENED
8 species
Amazona albifrons
Eupsittula nana
Eupsittula canicularis
ESPECIAL
PROTECTION
3 species

In the listings of the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and
Fauna (CITES), the Mexican psittacines are listed
as follows:
Ara Macao
Ara militaris
Rhynchopsitta
pachyrhyncha
Rhynchopsitta terrisi
Amazona oratrix
Amazona auropalliata
Amazona viridigenalis
Amazona nschi
Appendix I
( international
trade is
banned )
8 especies
Amazona albifrons
Amazona xantholora
Amazona autumnalis
Amazona guatemalae
Pyrillia haematotis
Pionus senilis
Psittacara brevipes
Psittacara holochlorus
Psittacara strenuus
Brotogeris jugularis
Forpus cyanopygius
Bolborhynchus lineola
Eupsittula nana
Eupsittula canicularis
Apppendix II
( international
trade is allowed
with some
restrictions )
14 especies

Amazona albifrons
Amazona xantholora
Amazona autumnalis
Amazona guatemalae
Pyrillia haematotis
Pionus senilis
Psittacara brevipes
Psittacara holochlorus
Psittacara strenuus
Brotogeris jugularis
Forpus cyanopygius
Bolborhynchus lineola
Eupsittula nana
Eupsittula canicularis