CR

Puerto Rican Amazon

Amazona vittata

Increasing

Overview

The Puerto Rican amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican parrot or iguaca (Taíno), is the only extant parrot endemic to Puerto Rico. Measuring 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in), the bird is a predominantly green parrot with a red forehead and white rings around the eyes. Belonging to the Neotropical genus Amazona, its closest relatives are believed to be the Cuban amazon and the Hispaniolan amazon.

The Puerto Rican Amazon faces severe threats from habitat destruction, with only 1% of its original forest habitat remaining on the island. Hurricane impacts have repeatedly devastated the small population, with Hurricane Hugo in 1989 reducing numbers to just 23 individuals. Introduced species, particularly the pearly-eyed thrasher, compete for nesting cavities and prey on eggs and chicks, while habitat fragmentation limits breeding success and genetic diversity.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Puerto Rican Amazon inhabits mature tropical rainforest in the Luquillo Mountains and El Yunque National Forest, requiring large trees with natural cavities for nesting. The species depends on diverse forest canopy for feeding on fruits, seeds, flowers, and leaves from over 60 plant species.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Invasive/problematic species controlSpecies managementSpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationLegislation

Other threatened species in PSITTACIDAE

Hyacinth MacawVU

Hyacinth Macaw

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

Stable
VU

Military Macaw

Ara militaris

Declining
EN

Blue-backed Parrot

Tanygnathus everetti

Declining
VU

Hispaniolan Parakeet

Psittacara chloropterus

Declining

Threatened in Puerto Rico

EN

Leptocereus quadricostatus

Declining
Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown
VU

Broadstripe Goby

Elacatinus prochilos

Unknown
Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Puerto Rican Amazon classified as Critically Endangered?
Puerto Rican Amazon is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Puerto Rican Amazon faces severe threats from habitat destruction, with only 1% of its original forest habitat remaining on the island. Hurricane impacts have repeatedly devastated the small population, with Hurricane Hugo in 1989 reducing numbers to just 23 individuals. Introduced species, particularly the pearly-eyed thrasher, compete for nesting cavities and prey on eggs and chicks, while habitat fragmentation limits breeding success and genetic diversity.
Where does Puerto Rican Amazon live?
Puerto Rican Amazon occurs in Puerto Rico, and United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Puerto Rican Amazon?
The main threats to Puerto Rican Amazon are 11.1, 11.4, 5.1, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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