Orange-winged Amazon

Overview

The Orange-winged Amazon ranges widely across the Amazon basin, the Guianas, and parts of northern South America, favoring lowland forest and riverside woodland. It is somewhat smaller and slimmer than several other Amazon species.

• Slimmer build than many Amazon species
• Blue wash across the crown and forehead
• Yellow patches on the cheeks

Feather Identification

Body feathers are green with a bluish tint on the forehead and crown, and yellow patches on the cheeks below the eye. The wing carries the species' namesake mark: a bright orange speculum in the secondary flight feathers, bordered by blue above and sometimes red at the base.

• Flight feathers: Green primaries; secondaries show the orange-blue-red speculum, most visible in flight or with the wing spread
• Tail feathers: Green with yellowish tips
• Head feathers: Blue crown patch and yellow cheek patches, without a solid yellow or all-blue forehead

The orange (rather than red) wing patch, combined with a slimmer build, helps separate this species from the similarly colored Red-lored Amazon, which lacks the orange speculum.

Sexes are alike in plumage. Juveniles show duller, less extensive blue and yellow head markings that become brighter and more defined with maturity. Molt proceeds gradually through the year.

This species inhabits lowland tropical forest, riverine and gallery forest, mangroves, and savanna woodland across much of northern and central South America. It is largely resident, though flocks may move locally in response to fruit availability.

Orange-winged Amazons are gregarious, often seen in pairs or flocks feeding in fruiting trees and gathering at large communal roosts at dusk. Diet consists of fruit, seeds, nectar, and blossoms. Nesting takes place in tree cavities, with both parents contributing to chick-rearing. The species has a loud, varied voice, with screeching contact calls typical of flying flocks.