Guest Author - Heather Thomas
Amazon parrots are a medium to large size bird commonly kept by owners that have previous experience with exotic birds. They are very intelligent, require a lot of interaction with their human flock and are costly to purchase. The decision to purchase an Amazon should not be entered lightly; the long lifespan of these birds makes the commitment a life-long decision. However, when the commitment has been considered seriously, the rewards last a lifetime.
Size
Most Amazons measure approximately 15-17 inches in length from head to tail. They have a stocky body and a short blunt tail. The majority of their body is covered in green feathers with indicating colors most often on the head and nape. The size of this bird dictates a fairly large cage, with a minimum cage size being approximately 24”x 36” x 48”. Because Amazons are active birds it is best to purchase the largest cage you can afford. In addition to a large cage, it is beneficial for the bird to have time outside its cage everyday.
Vocalization
These parrots are well known for their talking ability. Many Amazons have been known to imitate electronic sounds, words and even sing opera. This ability is often a major draw to perspective bird owners. It is important to note that as charming as it may be to have your bird sing opera, excessive vocalization can also have a disruptive component as well. These birds would not make good pets for those living in apartments or with close noise-sensitive neighbors for this reason.
Lifespan
As always, diet plays a large roll in a companion parrot’s lifespan. However, these birds when provided with an excellent diet are expected to live 50 to 70 years. This long lifespan must be seriously considered when choosing to own an Amazon. Often, your bird will outlive you and arrangements must be made for one of your family members to care for your bird when you are no longer able. On the other hand, if you choose to own an Amazon early in life, you will have a friend to live out your days along side you.
Diet
The diet of an Amazon is very similar to that of other parrots. Be sure to provide a well-rounded diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts in addition to a complete formulated diet comprised of pellets and seeds. In addition to these items many recipes exist for biscuits, muffins and cookies for your bird. Bits of food from your family table can also be fed to your bird as long as they are healthy and do not contain high levels of sodium. Parrots in general should never be fed chocolate or avocado. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise is important for Amazons because they are prone to obesity more than other parrot species.
Popular Species
While Amazons in general are popular as pets, a few species are found more commonly in the pet trade. These species are often bred for their colorful markings or talking ability. Some of these species include the Blue-Front, Double Yellow-Headed, Yellow Nape, Red-Lored and Lilac-Crowned.
Sexual Maturity
One characteristic prevalent among Amazon parrots is the, often, drastic change in personality and behavior when the bird reaches sexual maturity. They become more socially needy and if this need is not met to their satisfaction frustration can turn into aggressive behavior. All birds are different and pass through this stage manifesting different levels of unpredictable behavior; there are times, in severe cases, where only providing a mate can calm the bird. Some tactics to help a bird transition through this difficult time would be providing extra attention, chewing toys, rotating toys often to avoid boredom and optimizing their diet.
Amazons are intelligent, curious and interesting birds. Their exceptional talking ability is entertaining and charming. They make wonderful pets if the long-term responsibility has been considered seriously.
