Nesting behavior of the lilac-crowned parrot

Nesting behavior of the Lilac-crowned Parrot (Amazona finschi) was observed over a three year period at 24 nests in the tropical dry forest of the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, western Mexico. Nest site characteristics and the pattern of parental care throughout the nesting cycle are described for this mainland Amazon parrot and compared with that reported for other Amazon parrot species. Nest sites were located in natural cavities of large mature trees characteristic of semi-deciduous forest. Nest sites were similar to one another in tree species, tree size, cavity height, and entrance width, indicating that Lilac-crowned Parrots may select nest sites based on these characteristics. Unlike most parrot species, Lilac-crowned Parrots showed low nest site reuse and high synchrony of nest initiation. Throughout the nesting cycle, females and nestlings were fed only twice a day on average. Nest attendance during feeding visits was short. The infrequent feeding visits and short nest attendance exhibited by Lilac-crowned Parrots corresponds with that found for other mainland Amazon parrots in northeastern Mexico, but contrasts with the multiple feedings and longer nest attendance observed for island Amazon species. The distinct aspects of Lilac-crowned Parrot nesting behavior may be related to predation rate and food resource availability during the extreme dry season.