Green-Cheeked Amazon

Amazona viridigenalis

Green-cheeked amazon is a parrot of northeastern Mexico better known in many bird references as the red-crowned amazon or Mexican red-headed parrot. Amazona viridigenalis is a stocky green amazon with a red forehead and crown, green cheeks, a bluish wash on the head, and a loud, far-carrying voice. Wild birds use semi-open woodland, gallery forest, and agricultural edges, nesting in tree cavities. Escaped and released birds have also established noisy urban flocks in parts of Texas, California, Florida, and other warm regions.

As a companion bird, it is a demanding, long-lived parrot that needs a large cage or aviary and daily activity outside the cage, plus wood and toys it can destroy. A diet based on commercial pellets, vegetables, greens, and limited seed helps prevent obesity. Many adults are strong-willed during hormonal seasons, so adopters should expect training and noise management rather than a quiet talking bird. Conservation and aviculture overlap because wild populations have been reduced by trapping and habitat loss. Buyers should seek documented captive-bred birds or consider rescue placement, and breeders need unrelated pairs, privacy, and careful chick socialization.