Amazona farinosa
mealy parrot

Mealy parrots are found in Mexico and Central and South America, occupying a wide range from southern Mexico to northern Bolivia and southern Brazil. They are most common in Costa Rica and Panama, particularly on the Caribbean coast. ()

Mealy parrots inhabit dense, humid lowland rainforests near clearings but also populate wooded areas in savannas. ()

One of the largest of the Amazon parrots, mealy parrots measure approximately 38 to 40 cm in length and have an average weight of 540 to 700g. They are considerably less vibrant than other closely related parrots. Mealy parrots are mainly green with a crown of blue and violet feathers on the head, as well as a powdery appearance given by the dull, bluish feathers on the head, neck, and shoulders. A few spots of red, yellow, or blue can be seen on the feathers underneath the wings, which are mainly dull green with lighter green tips. Around each eye is a white, featherless ring. The iris is a reddish-orange color. The beak is a gray, brown color. One way to discern mealy parrots from other Amazona species is the tail, which consists of two distinct tones: green and yellowish green. The feet are a grayish color. Males and females are monomorphic. A distinguishing feature between adults and juveniles is a brown iris in juveniles. ()

Mealy parrots in captivity is typically between 50 and 100 years. Information on lifespan of mealy parrots in the wild is unavailable. ()

Mealy parrots are social animals, often seen flying in pairs or small flocks of up to 20. They will also form larger groups of several hundred birds near the breeding season. Mealy parrots are very active and are often seen interacting with other species of parrots, such as macaws (Ara). ()

Mealy parrots can be very noisy, with a variety of different calls, including chattering, squawking, and whistling. The calls can be heard at a distance, as their voice usually has a deeper tone than that of other Amazona parrots. ()

Mealy parrots feed mostly on plant parts, including seeds, fruits, nuts, blossoms, and leaf buds. ()

Mealy parrots are prey to various predators, such as hawks and monkeys. Snakes may steal eggs or young offspring. ()

Although their importance to the environment has not been extensively researched, mealy parrots are speculated to play a role in seed dispersal as well as act as a pollinator of the flowers they feed on. ()

Mealy parrots may eat crops occasionally, including corn crops. ()

Of special interest to the international live exotic bird trade, mealy parrots are most commonly taken into captivity and sold as pets. In some areas, they are also hunted for food, due to their relatively large size. ()

Mealy parrots are not currently identified as a species in crisis. They do not meet the criteria for a population decline, meaning a thirty percent loss of the population in ten years or three generations, as defined by the IUCN Red List. They are considered a species of least concern. This, however, does not suggest that the species is completely free from danger. Both the large amount of trading and the loss of habitat from deforestation have a significant impact on population declines of mealy parrots in certain areas. ()