Turquoise-fronted Saturday

Peering at us from overhead,

then, completely ignoring us, Turquoise-fronted Amazons were a treat to watch. What spectacular colors, from the yellow around their eyes, to red and yellow shoulders, to that rainbow on their undertail, and that vibrant green—such beauties!

Aptly named Turquoise-fronted, these fruit and seed lovers are relatively abundant in their range from northeastern Brazil to Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, despite their capture for the cagebird trade. They are listed as Near Threatened due to illegal trade and habitat loss.

In areas where farms have replaced native habitat, these parrots dine on available crops, eating maize, sunflower, and citrus, to the detriment of the farmers.

But I think it’s only fair that they get some of the food.

After all, it’s their home.

Turquoise-fronted Amazon Amazona aestiva 37 cm/14.5”

Amayra Lodge, Transpantaneira Highway Km 25, Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil

September 24, 2025