General

Yellow-headed Parrot: Large green parrot with yellow head. Flight feathers all tipped blue-black, patch of red on secondary feathers and at bend in wing. Sexes similar. Juvenile has darker bill, reduced yellow on head, and no red at bend in wing. Part of a large variable complex in tropical America that may represent different species or a single species.

Range and Habitat

Yellow-headed Parrot: Found in coastal areas of southern Mexico, though endangered and populations declining sharply. Small numbers of escaped cage birds now established in Los Angeles, California, south Texas, and in Florida. Found in pine and deciduous forests and adjacent savannahs.

Breeding and Nesting

Yellow-headed Parrot: Lays 2 to 3 white eggs in tree cavities 20 to 45 feet high from February to May. Female incubates eggs while male feeds her. Incubation takes about 24 days. Juveniles need 3 to 4 years to reach adulthood.

Foraging and Feeding

Yellow-headed Parrot: Moves in pairs or small flocks in search of fruits, seeds, and buds.

Vocalization

Yellow-headed Parrot: Harsh rolling "kya-a-a-ah" and variety of shrieks and whistles, but mostly silent.

Similar Species

Yellow-headed Parrot: In its native range the Yellow-naped Parrot can be separated by its yellow nape and lack of red at bend in wing. The Yellow-crowned Parrot only has yellow on the forehead.