Hispaniolan amazon parrots travel in flocks, and when a group passes overhead they are very hard to miss. Their calls are loud, raspy squawks and whistles that carry right across the forest. Locals often hear the parrots before they see the flash of green moving through the treetops.
One of the most remarkable things about these parrots is that they choose a partner for life. A mated pair will stay together year after year, roosting side by side, grooming each other's feathers, and raising chicks together in a hollow tree each season. They are one of the most loyal animals in the bird world.
Hispaniolan amazon parrots eat fruit, seeds, flowers, and leaves. They use their curved beak like a tool — holding food with one foot while the beak works at cracking it open. Their agile feet are also perfect for climbing along branches sideways, which makes them look as though they are doing a sideways walk.
Because these parrots only live on the island of Hispaniola, they are protected by law in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Scientists monitor the wild flocks carefully to make sure the population stays healthy. Many Haitian families say that seeing a flock of amazon parrots fly over is a sign of a good day ahead.