Puerto Rican Parrot Habitat: El Yunque National Forest

The critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata) is found exclusively in El Yunque National Forest in northeastern Puerto Rico. This tropical rainforest provides the specific habitat requirements essential for the species' survival.

Habitat Requirements

• Nesting: Large, mature trees—especially the tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa)—for cavity nesting.
• Diet: Diverse native fruits, seeds, flowers, and insects.
• Forest Structure: Multi-layered canopy offering protection and foraging opportunities.

Major Threats

• Habitat loss from development and deforestation.
• Predation by invasive species: rats, mongooses, and snakes.
• Disease including avian pox and psittacine beak and feather disease.
• Hurricanes destroying nesting sites and food sources.

Conservation Efforts

• Habitat protection within El Yunque (U.S. Forest Service).
• Predator control trapping programs.
• Captive breeding and reintroduction by the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program.
• Population monitoring and nest management.

From a low of 13 wild birds in 1975, intensive efforts have increased the population to several hundred, though the species remains critically endangered.