The Yellow-shouldered Amazon is primarily green and in the vicinity of 33 cm long. It has a whitish temple and legends, and a yellow crown, visual district and - frequently - ear coverts and button. The uncovered eye-ring is white. The thighs and the curve of the wing ("shoulder") are yellow, yet both might be troublesome to see. The throat, cheeks and midsection regularly have a pale blue tinge. As most parts of the variety Amazona, it has wide dull blue tips to the remiges and a red wing-speculum. Its nose is horn coloured.
In its go the yellow shoulder patch and broad yellow on the head recognize the Yellow-shouldered Amazon from other Amazona species, which have red or orange on the shoulder and less yellow on the head (the Orange-winged Amazon, which has to the extent that to the head as some Yellow-shouldered Amazons, has a blue visual district). Then again, outside its run, some other Amazona species have as much - or more - yellow on their heads.
