the radiale), but this is often difficult to see (especially on perched birds). Their voices are also strikingly different. The southern mealy amazon was formerly considered conspecific with the northern mealy amazon. The species were split based on the results of a genetic study published in 2012. Distribution and habitat The southern mealy amazon occurs in tropical Central America and South America. It frequents humid to semi-humid forest (only rarely in deciduous forest) and plantations. In regions dominated by open/dry habitats it is restricted to gallery forest or completely absent. Behaviour The southern mealy amazon is social and can be found in pairs or in large flocks. They are even known to interact with other parrots, such as macaws. They are usually quiet but can be loud at dusk and dawn. In captivity, they are known as one of the gentlest and calmest of all amazons. Breeding After southern mealy amazons reach sexual maturity they usually form monogamous relationships with a single partner. Each year courtship usually begins in early spring, and the female will usually lay three or four white eggs in a tree-cavity nest. The female incubates the eggs for about 26 days. The male regurgitates food for the female during the incubation period, and later for the chicks in the nest as well. The chicks leave the nest about 60 days after hatching. Food and feeding The diet of the mealy amazon consists mostly of fruits, seeds, berries, nuts, blossoms, and leaf buds. Status and conservation It is fairly common in most of its range, but has declined locally due to habitat loss and trapping for the wild parrot trade. Trafficking of the birds (as for exotic pets) is illegal in many nations, but the species are still smuggled into the United States from Mexico. In some areas southern mealy amazons are hunted as food. The southern mealy amazon sometimes feeds on human crops (especially corn) and may be considered a crop pest. The mealy amazon is bred in captivity with some regularity. References Sholty, Kathleen. "Amazona farinosa (mealy parrot)." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. 2006. A Guide to the Parrots of the World by Juniper & Parr (1998) A Guide to Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America by Howell & Webb (1995) southern mealy amazon Birds of the Atlantic Forest Birds of Bolivia Birds of Ecuador Birds of Central America Birds