Psittacus guatemalensis, Hrtl.

Guatemala Amazon (Ger., Guatemala-Amazone, Blausclieitel-Amazonenpapagei, Blauscheiteliger Kurzflugelpapagei; Fr., Perroquet Amazone de Guatemale; Dut., Guatemala Amazone Papegaai) - Characteristics.

Among a number of freshly-imported Amazon Parrots one usually sees several different species which come from the same or neighbouring districts, and are brought by the buyers at the same time to the ships; hence it is that the Guatemalan comes with the Mealy Amazon, yet it is much rarer. It is azure-blue on the forehead to the top of the head; the sides of the head are a lively green; the neck and shoulders greenish-grey; central spot in the wing scarlet; no red in the edge of the wing; the tail feathers altogether without red; all the upper part of the body dark grass-green; lower part somewhat lighter; the hinder parts and the lower covert of the tail yellow-green; beak blackish; on the upper beak a pinkish spot; cere bluish-grey; eyes carmine, with a broad brown circle round the iris; eye cere bluish-white; feet whitish-grey; claws black. The female has green on the forehead, each feather just edged with blue; the top of the head and the neck more of a purplish-blue; cheeks, sides of the head, and throat, grass-green; the beak lighter, blackish horn-grey, with a whitish spot, at the root of the lower beak; the red ring in the iris is much narrower. Special indications: The blue on the top of the head; no red in the edge of the wing or the tail; down among the feathers of the back. Rather larger than a raven (length, 18 1/2in. to 19in.; wings, 8 1/2in. to 9in.; tail, 4 1/2in. to 4 3/4in.). It is said by travellers to be a native of Mexico, particularly of the south. On the whole the Guatemalan greatly resembles the Mealy Amazon. Like the others, it is easily tamed, and learns to speak well; but is occasionally an unbearable screamer.