Martinique amazon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martinique amazon |
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| Somewhat speculative restoration | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification (disputed) |
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| Genus: |
Amazona
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| Species: |
martinicana
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| Location of Martinique | |
The Martinique amazon (Amazona martinicana) was a type of parrot that might have lived on the island of Martinique. It is considered a hypothetical and extinct species. This means we have no physical proof, like bones or feathers, that it ever existed.
However, some old writings describe it. These descriptions suggest it was similar to the red-necked amazon (Amazona arausiaca). This parrot lives on Dominica, an island close to Martinique. People living in the Caribbean long ago often traded parrots between islands. Because of this, some experts think the Martinique amazon might have been a close relative of the red-necked amazon. It might even have been a group that came from the red-necked amazon.
Contents
What Did the Martinique Amazon Look Like?
Early Descriptions of the Parrot
A French priest named Jean-Baptiste Labat wrote about these parrots in 1742. He said that parrots from Dominica had some red feathers. These red feathers were on their wings, under their throat, and in their tail. The rest of their body was green.
Labat then wrote that the parrots from Martinique looked very similar. However, the Martinique parrots had a slate-colored (grayish-blue) top of the head. They also had a small amount of red on their head.
Why We Think It's Extinct
If the Martinique amazon was a real and unique type of parrot, it only lived on the island of Martinique. It likely became extinct because its home was destroyed. People cleared much of Martinique's forests to create farms. This loss of habitat meant the parrots had nowhere to live or find food.
The last time anyone recorded seeing this parrot was in 1722.
Similar Parrots
The Guadeloupe amazon ("Amazona violacea") is another parrot that might have existed. It was said to live on the island of Guadeloupe. Some people think the Guadeloupe amazon was the same as the Martinique amazon.
However, most experts believe the Guadeloupe amazon was either related to or the same as the imperial amazon (Amazona imperialis). The imperial amazon is another large parrot found on Dominica.
Images for kids
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Somewhat speculative restoration
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Location of Martinique
