The Puerto Rican Parrot
Scientists and historians estimate that the Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata)
has lived on our island’s forests for well over a thousand years. Initially
numbering in the millions, the parrot flocks co-existed peacefully with the
island’s pre-columbian inhabitants, the Taino. After the European colonization
of the island began five hundred years ago, the size of the parrot population
dwindled in direct proportion to the conversion of forested land to cities
and farms, in so doing, the parrot’s only habitat was almost eradicated. By the middle of the last century, Amazona vittata was a threatened species,
very close to extinction. CLICK HERE to read the amazing story of how this
potential avian tragedy was recognized and averted at the last moment, and
how the multi-agency Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program was formed and continues
the difficult fight to ensure that Amazona vittata survives and thrives as
a vital part of Puerto Rico’s patrimony.
To view or download "Arboles, Arbustos y Palmas Preferidos por la
Cotorra Puertorriqueña", (Trees, Shrubs and
Palms Preferred by the Puerto Rican Parrot) CLICK
HERE. (Available in Spanish only).
To view or download "Como Identificar la
Cotorra Puertorriqueña", (How to Identify the Puerto Rican
Parrot) CLICK HERE. (Available
in Spanish only).
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