Jackie Foster Art

Painting this bird was a joy. Its color, personality, and story gave me so much to work with—not just visually, but emotionally too. I hope this piece captures a little of the spark that makes Red-crowned Amazons so special.

The Red-crowned Amazon captures the spirit of beauty, personality, and perseverance.

1. It’s not from the Amazon rainforest.
   Despite the name, the Red-crowned Amazon doesn’t live in the Amazon at all. The term “Amazon parrot” refers to its genus, Amazona, which includes many parrot species found throughout the Americas. This species is native only in the lowland regions of northeastern Mexico. Those that escaped or were released from captivity have formed wild populations in several places across the U.S.—including California, Florida, and Texas—as well as on the island of Oʻahu in Hawai‘i and in Puerto Rico.
2. They’re caught in a conservation paradox.
   One of the few Amazon species to adapt successfully to urban life, Red-crowned Amazons have established thriving feral populations in cities. Sadly, the species is critically endangered in its native wild range due to deforestation and illegal trapping. It’s a bittersweet story: they’ve managed to survive and even flourish in urban settings, while struggling in the places they originally called home.
3. They’re expressive and extraordinary communicators.
   These parrots are great at mimicking human speech as well as environmental sounds. With startling accuracy, they imitate car alarms, microwave beeps, ringtones, and laughter. On top of that, they have a naturally rich vocal range, full of squawks, whistles, and chatters that help them stay in touch with their flock. It can be noisy—but it’s a meaningful kind of noise.
4. Their eyes reveal their emotions.
   They’re masters of “eye-pinning”—a behavior where their pupils rapidly constrict and dilate. It’s especially dramatic in this species and can signal excitement, curiosity, or agitation. It’s like watching their mood change in real time.
5. They form nesting communities.
   These parrots pair for life, but they don’t isolate themselves when raising chicks. Instead, they often nest near other pairs, forming loose colonies in tree cavities that offer safety and social connection. If a nesting site proves successful, a bonded pair often returns to it year after year.
6. They eat what’s available.
   Urban Red-crowned Amazons show remarkable flexibility in their diet. From backyard trees and bird feeders to ornamental plants, they make the most of what’s around. Their ability to adapt their food sources has helped them thrive in human environments.
7. They can live surprisingly long lives.
   In captivity, they often live 50 years or more. But there’s also growing evidence that some individuals in the wild live for decades too—contributing to the strength and stability of lifelong pair bonds and flock dynamics.

I’m grateful to have spent time getting to know this bird, both through brushstrokes and research. The more I learned, the more I admired its resilience, intelligence, and vibrant presence in the world.