'her-ro' - Amazona finschi

This is my Amazona finschi, or Lilac-crowned Amazon Parrot. Her name is 'bird.' According to her legband, she was captive-bred in 1996. She was adopted by me four years ago, as a very aggressive, scared, bird.

Now, bird is friendly with everyone. Unless you are wearing orange. Over the past two years, she has started making attempts at speech, and has a few words in her vocabulary.

When I get home from being out, and walk into my room, the first thing I generally hear is a very loud, "HERRRR-RRRO!"... as in ... hello.

As of late 2004, A. finschi have had their protected status updated to CITES Appendix I, allowing for no international trade.

Due mostly to habitat destruction, over-collection for the pet industry, and low reproductive rates, somewhere between 7,000-10,000 of these parrots currently live in the wild; and only in a small portion of the Pacific region of Mexico.