Guadeloupe amazon

Guadeloupe Amazon (Amazona violacea)

The Guadeloupe amazon, also known as the Guadeloupe parrot, is a hypothetical extinct species of parrot that is believed to have been endemic to the Lesser Antillean island of Guadeloupe. First described by 17th and 18th-century naturalists, its scientific name is Amazona violacea. Historical accounts suggest it was a striking bird, with descriptions noting its head, neck, and underparts as primarily violet or slate, mixed with green and black. Its back was described as brownish green, and its wings featured a combination of green, yellow, and red. A notable feature was its iridescent feathers and the ability to raise a 'ruff' of feathers around its neck, similar to a peacock.

Behavior and Diet

Contemporary descriptions indicate that the Guadeloupe amazon possessed a strong voice and could learn to talk distinctly if taken at a young age. Its diet consisted of wild fruits and nuts found in the island's forests. Interestingly, it was known to avoid the manchineel fruit and consumed cotton seed, which had an intoxicating effect. The flavor of its flesh was reported to be excellent, but it varied significantly depending on its diet, with different foods imparting flavors of garlic, cloves, cinnamon, or even making the flesh bitter. When feeding on guavas, it was considered at its best.

Extinction

The decline and extinction of the Guadeloupe amazon are attributed to several factors. French settlers hunted the bird extensively for food, particularly during seasons when it was fattest and most succulent. Furthermore, the destruction of its habitat for farming and settlement significantly reduced its living space. By 1779, the species was already noted as being very rare, and it is believed to have become extinct by the end of the 18th century. Its fate mirrors that of other West Indian Amazon parrots, many of which are now endangered due to similar pressures, including trapping for the pet trade, overhunting, and habitat loss.

Taxonomy and Relationships

The species was first scientifically named Psittacus violaceus by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789, based on earlier writings. In 1905, Austin Hobart Clark placed it in the genus Amazona and suggested it was closely related to the extant Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis) of Dominica, or possibly even the same species. While some researchers have considered the possibility that the Guadeloupe and Martinique amazons were subspecies of the Imperial Amazon, others maintain they were distinct. Fossil evidence, including a tibiotarsus and an ulna found on Marie-Galante, has been tentatively attributed to the Guadeloupe amazon, further supporting its historical existence.