The Amazon Parrot is a medium size bird that is known for its playful demeanor.
It is a high-energy bird that is never boring in the slightest.
Appearance
This parrot has a yellow head with green plumage and a little bit of red on its wings. It can grow up to 13 inches long with a maximum weight of 8.8 ounces.
Amazon Parrot Lifespan
The Amazon parrot can easily live up to 50 years in captivity.
Types of Amazon Parrots
There are quite a few different Amazon parrots that you will have to choose from, including:
- Turquoise fronted Amazon: This Amazon parrot has green plumage with a yellow face and turquoise forehead. It can grow up to 1.1 pounds at full adulthood.
- Yellow Headed Amazon: The Yellow Headed variety of this bird is mostly green with a bright patch of yellow on top of its head, as the name suggests. These birds can grow up to 1.1 pounds as well.
- Orange Winged Amazon: The Orange-Winged Amazon bird has a yellow face, green plumage, and green wings with streaks of orange. It can grow up to 13 ounces as an adult.
- Yellow Crowned Amazon: The Yellow-Crowned Amazon is mostly green with some yellow and orange. It can grow up to an impressive 15 ounces and 14 inches long.
- Red Lored Amazon: The Red-Lored Amazon is found in the tropical regions of North, South, and Central Americas. These birds have a green, red, and yellow face. They can grow up to 15 ounces and 13 inches long as adults.
The Amazon Parrot’s Personality
There is no question that Amazon parrots are very playful. They love playing with toys and interacting with people on a regular basis. These birds are highly expressive, which you will quickly notice in their body language.
The peaceful and calm overall nature of these birds makes them a great pet for just about anyone, including those who have kids. You won’t have to worry about getting bit by one of these birds, as long as you handle them carefully.
It is important to keep in mind that these parrots can quickly become aggressive with other pets, including birds. You should avoid keeping these parrots with any birds that are smaller than them.
You can train these birds fairly easily with treats and positive reinforcement. Over time, your bird will come to trust you completely.
Natural Habitat
Amazon Parrots can be found throughout South America, Central America, and North America. They tend to make their homes in rainforests, scrub forests, palm groves, and savannahs.
Amazon Parrot Care Guide
1. Amazon Parrot Diet
These birds should be given a diet that consists of different nuts, seeds, fruits and berries. A well-balanced diet will prevent your bird from developing problems with nutritional deficiencies. You should give your bird seeds all year round, as they need a high-fat diet.
Peanuts and sunflower seeds are particularly good for Amazon parrots, as they are high in fat, vitamin A, and calcium. They can help to supplement your bird’s diet so that it gets all of the nutrients it needs.
There are numerous pellet products that are specially formulated for these parrots. Your bird’s diet should mostly consist of these pellets.
It is also a good idea to give them fresh fruits and vegetables in moderation. This is the best way to ensure that they stay as healthy as possible. Carrots, peppers, squash and sweet potatoes are all good foods to occasionally give these parrots.
Just make sure that you do not give your bird any avocado, as it is toxic for them.
2. Environment
The cage that you put your Amazon parrot in should measure at least 39 inches high and at least 23 inches across the bottom. You will need to take the overall size of your bird into consideration before picking out a cage.
You’ll need to make sure that your bird’s head does not touch the top of the cage, as this means it is way too small. These birds need to be able to move around a lot in their enclosure throughout the day. You’ll want to put plenty of toys in their cage so they can play by themselves when you are away.
3. Common Health Problems
Amazon parrots can develop Polyomavirus, which can be very serious if it left untreated. You will need to keep a close eye on your bird to make sure that it doesn’t show any signs of this disease. This includes lethargy, sudden loss of appetite, or rapid weight loss despite eating. All of these are signs that your bird is in urgent need of medical attention.
4. Grooming
The best way to ensure that your parrot’s feathers stay clean is by providing it with a bowl to bathe in. These birds will clean themselves on a fairly regular basis if they have a bowl filled with water in their enclosure. Nail trimming shouldn’t be an issue, provided you have numerous perches for them to sit on.
Amazon Parrot Price
You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for an Amazon parrot, depending on the exact subspecies. Blue Fronted Amazon Parrots cost $1500 to $2,500, while Double Yellow Headed parrots cost $1,500 to $3,000.
Conclusion
- The Amazon Parrot is a generally friendly and social bird that makes for an excellent overall pet.
- You can keep one of these birds in captivity for up to 50 years with proper care on a daily basis.
- A formulated pelleted diet is best for these birds, but you can also give them nuts, fruits, veggies and seeds in moderation.
- Make sure that the cage you put your bird in does not touch the top of their head or end of their tail.
- You should have plenty of toys for your parrot to play with in its cage to keep it stimulated.
- These birds do not do well living with smaller birds in the same enclosure.
- While Amazon Parrots can be pricey, they are well worth it if you can afford the additional expense.
