Influence of environmental variability on the growth of Lilac‐crowned Parrot nestlings

Abstract

Growth rate parameters were analysed for Lilac‐crowned Parrot Amazona finschi nestlings in the tropical dry forest of the Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela‐Cuixmala, Mexico. Growth rates for psittacine species follow the inverse relation with body mass observed for neotropical landbirds, with larger parrot species exhibiting slower growth rates. There was significant variation between years in size and growth rates of Lilac‐crowned Parrot nestlings with nestlings exhibiting slower growth rates in 1996 than in 1997. Food abundance for parrots also varied significantly between years, with greater food availability during the 1997 breeding season than that of 1996. The increased size and growth rates of nestlings in 1997 may have reflected this, and suggests the potential influence of environmental variability on parrot reproduction, particularly in such a markedly seasonal habitat.