A newly-discovered parrot species has already been declared endangered
DNA analysis shows the bird evolved from the white-fronted parrot no more than about 120,000 years ago.
A parrot newly discovered in Mexico already faces extinction because of threats to its habitat, scientists have said.
The blue-winged Amazon was spotted by a travelling ornithologist in a remote region of the Yucatan peninsular in 2014.
Experts writing in the journal PeerJ have now confirmed it is a previously undescribed species with a unique plumage colour and pattern and distinctive call.
They also warned that, confined to a small area of unprotected forest, it is in grave danger.
The blue-winged Amazon is about 25cm long and weighs 200 grams. Mostly green in colour, it has striking blue flight feathers and a patch of red above the beak.
In flight, it produces a loud, short and repetitive yak-yak-yak call which becomes more mellow and prolonged when the bird is perched.
The species lives in small flocks of fewer than 12 individuals feeding on a diet of forest seeds, fruits, flowers and leaves.
June 27, 2017— PeerJ – the journal (@thePeerJ)
DNA analysis shows the bird evolved from the white-fronted parrot no more than about 120,000 years ago.
The blue-winged Amazon was identified by Mexican ornithologist Dr Miguel Gomez Garza, from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, during an expedition to Yucatan.
He recognised it had a completely different colour pattern from other known species in the area.
The bird was given the Latin name Amazona gomezgarzai in his honour.
