How to identify the Red-lored Amazon

To correctly identify the Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

32-35 cm (12.5-13.8 in)

Wingspan

58-66 cm (23-26 in)

Weight

310-480 g (10.9-16.9 oz)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Predominantly bright green plumage. The forehead and lores (area between the eye and bill) are bright red. The cheeks and ear coverts are yellow, often with a variable amount of orange. The crown is blue-violet, fading to green on the nape. The bend of the wing is red, and the primary coverts are blue. The outer webs of the flight feathers are blue-violet, and the tail feathers are green with red at the base of the outer feathers and yellowish tips.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Strong, hooked, greyish-horn colored beak, often with a darker tip.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Orange-red iris with a pale periophthalmic ring.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Greyish-pink to grey.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The combination of a bright red forehead, yellow cheeks, and blue-violet crown is diagnostic. The red patch at the bend of the wing is also a key field mark.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage, less extensive red on the forehead, paler yellow on the cheeks, and a brownish iris. The blue on the crown may be less pronounced.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   None visually apparent; males and females are monomorphic in plumage.

Key field marks

• Head Pattern. Look for the bright red forehead and lores, combined with prominent yellow cheeks and a blue-violet crown. This specific combination is unique to the Red-lored Amazon.
• Plumage Color. Overall bright green body plumage. Note the red patch at the bend of the wing and blue primary coverts, which are visible in flight or when perched with wings slightly open.
• Vocalizations. Listen for its loud, harsh, rolling squawks and screeches. These distinctive calls are often heard before the bird is seen, especially when flocks are flying to or from roosts.
• Flight Style. Observe its strong, direct flight with rapid wing beats. Often flies in pairs or small groups, making it easier to spot against the sky.

Explore the Red-lored Amazon