Multi-colored Ecuadorian parrot

A small parrot with blue feathers on its head and green feathers on its body grooms itself while perched on a person's hand. Ecuador provides a rare blend of lofty peaks and tropical rainforests. The eastern border of the Amazon rainforest resides in Ecuador. A visitor to Ecuador does not have to go too far inland to view tropical vegetation and wildlife, like this parrot. Ecuador's Amazonian rainforest is one of the world's most biologically diverse regions. It is home to thousands of species of plant and animal life. Because the region is isolated it retains much of its original vegetation. Only recently has oil production threatened the isolation of this natural enclave.