Lilacine Amazon parrot
Species Overview
The Lilacine Amazon (Amazona lilacina) is a medium-sized Amazon parrot found only in western Ecuador. It was long treated as a subspecies of the Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis) and is now recognised as a separate species by several major authorities. Adults are about 33-35 cm (13-14 in) long, green with a red forehead and lores and lilac-blue tips to the crown feathers. Reliable lifespan data for this rare bird are limited; related Red-lored Amazons commonly live 40 years or more. It is listed as Endangered in the wild. Expect typical Amazon traits: a loud voice at dawn and dusk, some talking ability, seasonal hormonal behaviour and a strong need for diet control.
Endemic to the Dry Coast of Western Ecuador
The Lilacine Amazon occurs only in western Ecuador, mainly in the coastal lowlands, where it uses dry and semi-deciduous forest and mangroves. Much of that habitat has been cleared for agriculture and shrimp farming, and trapping for the pet trade has added pressure. After it was separated from the Red-lored Amazon, it was assessed as Endangered, with a small and fragmented wild population. Like other Amazons, it roosts communally and travels to feeding areas in pairs and small groups, calling loudly in flight. Its rarity has a practical consequence for buyers: correct identification and clean paperwork matter even more than for common species.
Size, Markings and Why Identification Matters
Adults are about 33-35 cm (13-14 in) long. The plumage is green with a red forehead and lores, the crown feathers have lilac-blue tips, and the cheeks show less yellow than in the northern Red-lored Amazon. The red wing speculum is typical of the Red-lored group. Reliable published weights and captive lifespan records for this species are scarce, so no figure is given here; weigh your bird regularly to establish its own baseline. Related Red-lored Amazons often live 40 years or longer. The sexes look alike, so sexing needs a DNA test or endoscopy. The name is sometimes confused in the trade with the Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi) from Mexico, a different species.
Temperament: Expect an Amazon, Not a Lapdog
Very little species-specific behavioural research exists for the Lilacine Amazon, and claims that it is unusually gentle should be treated with caution. Keepers describe it much like its Red-lored relatives: curious, active and sociable, with a loud, penetrating contact call used most at dawn and dusk. Many birds learn words and phrases, though usually with less clarity than a Yellow-naped or Blue-fronted Amazon. Hormonal behaviour in spring, including nipping and possessiveness, should be expected. This bird suits an experienced Amazon keeper who values a rare species and accepts the noise. It does not suit flats, first-time owners, or anyone looking for a quiet or low-maintenance pet.
Housing a Medium Amazon Safely
Provide a cage of at least 90 x 60 x 120 cm (35 x 24 x 47 in, W x D x H) with 1.9-2.5 cm bar spacing, made of stainless steel or quality powder-coated steel; avoid galvanised mesh because of the risk of zinc poisoning. Natural perches of mixed diameters help keep the feet healthy, which matters because foot problems in Amazons are often linked to smooth, uniform dowels and obesity. Add a separate play stand for time outside the cage. As a bird of warm lowlands it copes with normal room temperatures but must be protected from draughts and cold nights outdoors. Keep it out of the kitchen, where fumes from overheated non-stick pans are lethal to birds.
Feeding a Rare Amazon Without Guesswork
There is no published captive diet specific to the Lilacine Amazon, so the sensible approach is the one established for related Amazons. Use a quality pellet as the base, roughly 60-70 percent, and make most of the remainder vegetables, emphasising vitamin A sources such as carrot, red pepper, cooked sweet potato and dark leafy greens. Fruit should be a small part of the diet. Seeds and nuts are useful as training rewards but should be rationed. If your bird arrives on a seed mix, convert it gradually while weighing daily, since some Amazons will go hungry rather than try new food. Never offer avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol or salty food.
Time, Chewing and Foraging for an Active Bird
Plan at least three hours out of the cage every day, with real interaction rather than simply being in the same room. Like other members of the Red-lored group, Lilacine Amazons are keen chewers, so supply soft wood, cork, cardboard and palm leaf and expect to replace them often. Scatter part of the daily pellets in foraging toys or paper parcels so the bird works for its food, as it would in the wild. Offer regular showers or a shallow bath, which also keeps the plumage in good condition. A bird left alone for long days becomes noisy or develops feather problems. Keeping a compatible pair is worth considering, especially if you are often out.
Annex B Status and Correct Species Documents
The Lilacine Amazon is covered by the general CITES Appendix II listing for parrots and is in Annex B of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation (EC) 338/97. An Article 10 certificate is not required for sale within the EU, but the seller must be able to show legal origin through breeding records, purchase documents or import papers, and these should match the ring or microchip number. Because the species is endangered and easily confused with other Amazons, make sure the documents name the bird correctly. Since 2007 the EU has not allowed imports of wild-caught birds for the pet trade. In Germany, keeping protected species generally has to be reported to the local nature conservation authority; check with them.
Training & Enrichment
Lilacine Amazons respond to positive reinforcement like other Amazons, and because the species is rare in captivity and experienced vets can be far away, cooperative-care training deserves priority: voluntary scale-stepping, towel acceptance, foot presentation and calmly entering a travel carrier. Keep sessions short and reward with small pieces from the measured daily nut allowance. Individual temperament varies and there is little published information specific to this species, so do not assume it is gentler than its relatives. The usual Amazon rules apply: head and neck petting only, and read the escalation signals rather than pushing through them.
Health Considerations
As with the rest of the genus, obesity and fatty liver disease on seed-based diets are the leading preventable risks, alongside vitamin A deficiency, which often shows as sneezing, nasal discharge or poor feather quality. Aspergillosis is linked to poor ventilation and damp bedding. Because the species is uncommon in captivity, identify an avian veterinarian with parrot experience before you acquire a bird rather than after. Weigh weekly on a gram scale, book an annual examination with periodic bloodwork, and quarantine new arrivals for 30-45 days in a separate airspace with screening for psittacine beak and feather disease, avian bornavirus and Chlamydia psittaci. Never try to treat illness at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reliable lifespan data for the Lilacine Amazon itself are limited because it is rare in captivity. Its close relatives, Red-lored Amazons, commonly live 40 years or more on a pellet-based diet with regular avian vet care, and it is sensible to plan for a similar span. Diet-related diseases such as obesity and fatty liver are the main threats to reaching that age.
They are Amazons, so yes, they are loud, with penetrating calls especially around dawn and dusk. Many learn some words and phrases, but talking ability varies and usually falls short of top talkers such as the Yellow-naped Amazon. If noise would cause problems with neighbours or within the family, this is not the right bird.
Generally not. It has the noise, hormonal behaviour and long lifespan of other Amazons, but it is also rare, endangered and harder to find experienced veterinary care for. It is best kept by someone who already has experience with Amazons and wants to contribute to the careful keeping of an uncommon species.
At least 90 x 60 x 120 cm (35 x 24 x 47 in, W x D x H), with bar spacing of 1.9-2.5 cm, sturdy stainless steel or powder-coated wire, natural perches of varied thickness and secure latches. The cage should be the base for a bird that also spends at least three hours a day outside it.
They are separate species. The Lilacine Amazon (Amazona lilacina) comes from western Ecuador and belongs to the Red-lored Amazon group. The Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi) comes from western Mexico and has a dark red forehead and a lilac-blue crown and nape. Because the names are easily mixed up, check that the paperwork names the correct species.
