The thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) is a striking species of parrot known for its distinctive appearance and limited distribution. Here’s a description of the thick-billed parrot and its distribution:

Description of the Thick-Billed Parrot:

• Appearance: Thick-billed parrots are medium-sized parrots with predominantly green plumage, a red forehead, and a large, hooked bill that gives them their name. They have a distinctive white eye ring, red markings on the wings, and blue flight feathers. Juveniles have less red on the head and less developed blue flight feathers.
• Size: Adult thick-billed parrots typically measure around 38 to 41 centimeters (15 to 16 inches) in length, including their tail feathers.
• Behavior: Thick-billed parrots are social birds that form flocks, often flying in noisy groups through their mountainous habitat. They are known for their loud, raucous calls, which can be heard from a distance. Their diet primarily consists of seeds, pine cones, berries, and other plant materials.
• Habitat: Thick-billed parrots are specialized to inhabit montane pine-oak forests in mountainous regions. They prefer areas with mature pine trees, particularly the Mexican white pine (Pinus ayacahuite), which provides them with both food and nesting sites. These forests are typically found at elevations between 1,800 to 3,600 meters (6,000 to 12,000 feet) above sea level.
• Conservation Status: The thick-billed parrot is classified as “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal trapping for the pet trade. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their remaining habitat, establish breeding programs, and combat illegal poaching.

Distribution by Counties: Thick-billed parrots are native to the mountainous regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States. In Mexico, they are found in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora, and possibly parts of Coahuila and Sinaloa. In the United States, they were historically found in Arizona and New Mexico, but sightings in recent years have been extremely rare, and the species is considered functionally extinct in the United States.

While specific county-level data may vary, thick-billed parrots are generally associated with montane pine-oak forests in the mountainous regions of the aforementioned Mexican states. These forests are often located in remote and inaccessible areas, making it challenging to conduct surveys and assess population numbers accurately.