The national animal of Dominica is the sisserou parrot. These parrots are important national symbols and widely recognized as one of the island’s most iconic animals, while also playing a very important role in the island’s ecology. They are also known as the imperial amazon or the Dominican Amazon.
Parrots are iconic animals to many countries in this part of the world, so it is no surprise that Dominica has chosen one of its native parrots as its national animal.
They play a variety of roles in the lives of the Dominican people in ways both literal and symbolic.
Let’s find out more.
What is the national animal of Dominica?
The national animal of Dominica is the sisserou parrot, which also goes by quite a few different names.
It is most commonly referred to, at least internationally, as the imperial Amazon.
This is where it gets its scientific name: Amazona imperialis.
They are also sometimes called the Dominican Amazon, though they are most commonly referred to as the sisserou parrot by the inhabitants of Dominica.
Unsurprisingly, given the name Dominican Amazon, the parrot is only found on the island of Dominica and nowhere else.
As a result, they are not only the island’s national bird but also its national animal.
These parrots measure around 19 inches in length, and males usually weigh around 32 ounces with females being a bit lighter at an average of 23 ounces.
This makes it the largest species of its genus.
They have what is called zygodactyl feet, and their bill is thick and hooked.
The arrangement of its beak means it can use its hinged mandibles and strong tongue to move food around easily in its mouth.
The plumage of males and females is exactly the same.
They have a dark shade of purple on the chest and head, with green on the wings.
They have a dark brown eye ring, usually a mix of orange and red.
Even at a young age, the birds do not usually look much different and have more or less uniform plumage their whole life.
They eat mostly seeds, fruit, nuts, berries, as well as blossoms and palm shoots.
They tend to feed mostly in the mornings and the evenings.
They inhabit mountain forest areas in Dominica above 2,000 feet, so their actual distribution on the island is fairly limited.
They are considered a critically endangered species and a major cause of their decline has been hurricanes.
Why is the sisserou parrot the national animal of Dominica?
There are a few important reasons why the sisserou parrot is the national animal of Dominica.
It represents a number of important things to the people of the island.
The parrot, simply as a bird, is a common symbol of freedom and liberation.
The people of Dominica see the parrot as an embodiment of this important national, and indeed human, value, since it is capable of flying anywhere at any time—though of course it chooses to stay on their home island!
Another more literal reason the parrot was made the island’s national animal is that it is seen to represent Dominica’s natural beauty.
The sisserou parrot is seen as an important, indeed vital, member of the local ecosystem and parrots like this are often important to the tropical islands and regions of this part of the world. Few things, then, could so well embody Dominica’s natural beauty.
On the other hand, the question of conservation is a common reason why a particular animal is chosen as national animal.
Given that these parrots are critically endangered, the country hopes to bring awareness to their plight and potentially bring about some change to ensure their continued survival—so how many of them are left?
How many sisserou parrots are left?
It’s hard to put precise numbers on it, but as mentioned hurricanes in recent decades have had significant and lasting impact on their population numbers.
That said, there are some signs that the population may be recovering to some degree.
Official estimates range anywhere from 50 to 500 individuals remaining on the island.
We don’t know for sure as it can be hard to track the population of any animal but especially of birds.
Either way, their numbers have declined significantly and they are still considered critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.
Where do sisserou parrots live?
Sisserou parrots are endemic to Dominica, meaning they do not live anywhere outside the island.
Within the island, they are still fairly isolated and live only in particular parts of the island.
As mentioned, they tend to live only at elevations above 2,000 feet, usually in the mountain forests where it has access to abundant food sources and nesting spots.
They frequently are found in the Morne Diablotins of northern Dominica, and this is where they are most commonly seen.
There is, though, another population further south which is slightly smaller, and was reintroduced there to the Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
They are also sometimes found in elfin forest.
This majestic bird, then, is under threat for a few reasons.
This, in part, informs the choice to make it the national animal of Dominica.
They are widely regarded as one of the island nation’s most important animals, and without them the ecology of Dominica would no doubt look very different.
They are an important symbol and more literally vital to the island’s ecology.
Their future, though, hangs in the balance.