A bold and colorful parrot found in the high pine and fir forests of northern Mexico, it is one of the most unusual parrots in the world. Unlike many parrots in tropical lowlands, this species thrives in cool mountain forests, flocking noisily among tall conifers. Its most striking feature is its large, thick, curved beak, which is perfectly designed for cracking tough pine cones to get at the seeds inside. While other parrots may snack on fruits, berries, or nuts, the Thick-billed parrot is highly specialized—pine seeds make up the bulk of its diet, making it one of the only parrots so closely tied to conifer forests.

One of the things that makes the Thick-billed parrot different from many of its relatives is its highly social lifestyle. These birds are almost never seen alone; they live, feed, and travel in loud, chattering flocks that can number in the dozens or even hundreds. Their calls are sharp and energetic, echoing across mountain valleys and helping keep the flock together as they soar from ridge to ridge. Unlike the solitary nesting habits of some other parrots, Thick-billed parrots nest in loose colonies, often reusing old woodpecker holes in tall pines. This cooperative way of life makes them especially charismatic and easier to hear long before they are seen. It also gives them strength in numbers, as many eyes and voices together can watch for predators like hawks and eagles.

Once found in both the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the Thick-billed parrot has disappeared from the U.S., with the last sightings in Arizona in the 1930s. Today it survives only in a few mountain ranges in Mexico, and it is considered endangered due to habitat loss from logging, hunting in the past, and declines in old-growth pine forests.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Mexico

2020

United States

2020

Presence Uncertain, Reintroduced