Systematics

Chrysotis viridigenalis Cassin, 1853, Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia 6:371. Type locality given in error as "South America. Brazil?" (18 Cassin, J. (1853). Descriptions of new species of Hirundinidae and Psittacidae, specimens of which are in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 6:369‒373. Close ).

The type specimen is housed at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (ANSP ORN 22506).

None known.

Monotypic.

Molecular phylogenetic studies using DNA sequence data as well as genomic data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) have shown that the Lilac-crowned Parrot (Amazona finschi) and the Red-crowned Parrot form a sister relationship with strong support (19 Russello, M. A., and G. Amato (2004). A molecular phylogeny of Amazona: implications for Neotropical parrot biogeography, taxonomy and conservation. Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution 30(2):421–437. Close , 20 Smith, B. T., J. Merwin, K. L. Provost, G. Thom, R. T. Brumfield, M. Ferreira, W. M. Mauck III, R. G. Moyle, T. E. Wright, and L. Joseph (2023). Phylogenomic analysis of the parrots of the world distinguishes artifactual from biological sources of gene tree discordance. Systematic Biology 72(1):228-241 Close ). Together, these two species appear to be sister to Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis), with this clade in turn sister to a small group of Amazona parrots from South America and the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean (19 Russello, M. A., and G. Amato (2004). A molecular phylogeny of Amazona: implications for Neotropical parrot biogeography, taxonomy and conservation. Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution 30(2):421–437. Close , 20 Smith, B. T., J. Merwin, K. L. Provost, G. Thom, R. T. Brumfield, M. Ferreira, W. M. Mauck III, R. G. Moyle, T. E. Wright, and L. Joseph (2023). Phylogenomic analysis of the parrots of the world distinguishes artifactual from biological sources of gene tree discordance. Systematic Biology 72(1):228-241 Close ).

The close phylogenetic relationships among Red-crowned Parrot, Lilac-crowned Parrot, and Red-lored Parrot are further evidenced by the hybridization between these species in areas of sympatry, including southern Texas and southern California (21 eBird (2022). eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Available: http://www.ebird.org. Close , SK).

A number of Amazona species have been known to hybridize in both captivity and among introduced populations , and hybridization between Amazona and Pionus is well documented (22 Jordan, R. (1998). Thoughts on Hybridization. AFA Watchbird 25:12-12. Close , 23 Hernández‐Brito, D., J. L. Tella, M. Carrete, and G. Blanco (2021). Successful hybridization between non‐congeneric parrots in a small introduced population. Ibis 163:1093-1098. Close , 21 eBird (2022). eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Available: http://www.ebird.org. Close , SK). However, in Red-crowned Parrot, only hybrid pairings with Lilac-crowned Parrot and Red-lored Parrot have been definitively documented in the wild. Many hybrids may be difficult to detect because hybridization between birds with mixed ancestry is occurring as well, as seen here where an apparently pure Red-crowned Parrot is copulating with a presumed Red-crowned Parrot x Turquoise-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) hybrid . Additional hybrids with Turquoise-fronted Parrot as well as White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons) have been documented in captivity (24 McCarthy, E. M. (2006). Handbook of Avian Hybrids of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom. Close ).

See media examples below for examples of presumed hybrids reported to eBird.

• Red-crowned x Lilac-crowned Parrot (hybrid) Amazona viridigenalis x finschi
• Red-crowned x Red-lored Parrot (hybrid) Amazona viridigenalis x autumnalis

In Náhuatl, Red-crowned Parrot is called "Tlalacuezalli" (25 Birkenstein, L. R., and R. E. Tomlinson (1981). Native names of Mexico birds. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Publication 139. Washington, DC, USA. Close ). In Spanish, it is referred to as "Cotorra Cabeza Roja" (25 Birkenstein, L. R., and R. E. Tomlinson (1981). Native names of Mexico birds. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Publication 139. Washington, DC, USA. Close ), "Loro Tamaulipeco" (26 López Olvera, José Daniel. (2013). Mecanismos establecidos por la legislación mexicana para aprovechar y conservar a los psitaciformes, y análisis de las reformas a la Ley general de vida silvestre de octubre de 2008. (Tesis de Licenciatura). Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México. Close ), and "Loro Frente Roja" (ssp. oratrix) (26 López Olvera, José Daniel. (2013). Mecanismos establecidos por la legislación mexicana para aprovechar y conservar a los psitaciformes, y análisis de las reformas a la Ley general de vida silvestre de octubre de 2008. (Tesis de Licenciatura). Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México. Close ). In English, alternate names include: "Green-cheeked Amazon," "Mexican Redhead," and "Mexican Red-headed Parrot."

The genus name Amazona originated from the French “Amazone” (1770–1783, by de Buffon) which describes the region from which the earliest specimens of the genus were collected (27 Jobling, J. A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. A. & C. Black, London, UK. Close ). The specific epithet viridigenalis is Latin, from viridi (green) and gena (cheeks).

Information needed.