Disclaimer
This text has been reviewed for factual accuracy by a professional veterinarian. The views and opinions expressed herein are these of the creator and don’t essentially symbolize the views or opinions of the veterinarian.
Amazon parrots are daring, energetic, and social birds. There are an estimated 35 species of Amazons, with round 10 of these generally discovered as pets. Within the wild, these parrots keep inside a flock, whereas domesticated ones bond deeply with their homeowners. These birds are medium to massive in dimension, have a stocky construct with quick tails, and are principally inexperienced. Nevertheless, colourful markings differ between species. As their look varies, so can their care necessities, so use this text as a normal information and test the wants of your chosen pet species for extra particular steerage.
These parrots do mimic phrases, however they impart finest by their physique language. If you happen to’re contemplating adopting an Amazon parrot, it’s vital to know the duty and dedication these birds require, in addition to the years of affection and giggles you possibly can stay up for!
Species Overview
| Coloration: | Inexperienced |
| Dimension: | 10–20 inches |
| Weight: | 6–22 ounces |
| Wingspan: | 10-16 inches |
The Amazon parrot is a sturdy fowl that may dwell from 30-60 years when well-cared for and given a diversified weight-reduction plan. Resulting from this lengthy dedication, these birds ought to go to homeowners who’re ready to commit their time, love, and power to them. Amazons are extremely clever, capable of be taught a big vocabulary, like to discover, and want a number of stimulation.
Amazon parrots (genus Amazona) are principally sexually monomorphic (each sexes look the identical), however males anecdotally are usually extra aggressive. They’re noisy birds that love receiving consideration from individuals and conspecifics. They’ve the flexibility to acknowledge their homeowners and like to clown round for them.
Not all species of Amazon parrot are capable of be saved as pets as some are endangered, threatened or susceptible, and possession could also be restricted by regulation. At all times ensure that the parrots you bought are usually not wild-caught animals, as this commerce is unethical. As well as, test your native rules for restrictions on fowl possession on your chosen species.
Amazon Parrot Traits
Historical past & Pure Habitat
Amazons have been named after the lengthy Amazon River as a result of individuals first believed they originated from the identical space. Nevertheless, they really originate from and may nonetheless be discovered within the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America. They’re a various species that may survive and thrive in varied varieties of habitats such because the forest, woodland, rainforest, and savanna.
It’s doable that early information of “Amazon parrots” have been present in a “The Talking Parrots: A Scientific Guide” by Dr Karl Russ, printed within the nineteenth century. Legend has it that these birds have been as soon as known as “Kriken,” which was given by seafarers and means “to screech.”
Of the numerous Amazon species, round 10 of them are saved as frequent pets in US houses as we speak.
Issues to Know When Proudly owning an Amazon Parrot
Temperament
Nothing makes an Amazon parrot happier than receiving consideration from their homeowners and anybody who comes to go to. They’re extremely social and love interplay, they usually’re additionally loyal and type deep bonds with their homeowners. Early socialization, coaching, and dealing with are crucial for these birds to cut back behavioral issues. It’s additionally vital to observe their physique language and conduct intently. If you happen to fail to see the indicators of discomfort or stress, you’ll seemingly find yourself bitten.
If these parrots don’t get the stimulation and a spotlight they crave, they may start to behave up and should develop into harmful or depressed. To fight this, work together together with your fowl day-after-day or think about getting them a mate. Amazon parrots dwell in flocks within the wild and mate for all times with one associate, so companionship is extremely vital to them.
Sounds, Speech & Vocalizations
Amazon parrots are noisy birds, and are famend for having the ability to be taught phrases and discuss. They’ll additionally mimic sounds, phrases, and components of songs. They get pleasure from listening to music and the sounds round them. They’re fast to repeat what they hear and should even mimic your telephone’s ringtone, the sound of the doorbell, and the barking and meowing out of your different pets.
Amazon parrots vocalize loudly as a result of it’s how they impart within the wild. They are going to vocalize when they’re startled, indignant, excited, or simply in search of consideration.
Look
There are over 30 several types of Amazon parrots, and appearances differ between species. Nevertheless, most Amazons have stocky our bodies with quick tails which are rounded as a substitute of pointy. They vary from 10 to 16 inches in size and are medium to large-sized birds. Their extensive wingspan is between 5 to twenty inches, relying on species. Their eye colour is often both pink, orange, or brown.
These birds are principally inexperienced and have stunning markings that set them aside. Amazons are principally distinguishable by their brow markings, with every species boasting a distinct colour.
- Pink-lored Amazon: They’ve pink patches on their foreheads and crimson on their wings. They’ve yellow cheeks and blue feathers on high of their heads.
- Blue-fronted Amazon: A yellow face, blue feathers round a grey beak, and pink and yellow markings on their shoulders and the guidelines of their wings.
- White-fronted Amazon: Pink rings round their eyes, blue feathers on high of their heads, and white above their beaks. In addition they have blue on their wings.
- Yellow-naped Amazon: Largely inexperienced with yellow feathers in the back of their necks and on their heads.
- Mealy Amazon: These Amazons are principally inexperienced with a “powdered” look on their backs.
- Double Yellow-Headed Amazon: Yellow heads and necks with pink and yellow markings on their shoulders.
- Lilac-crowned Amazon: Maroon feathers above their beaks and lilac-blue on their heads and necks.
- Panama Amazon: White round their eyes and yellow feathers above their beaks.
- Inexperienced-cheeked Amazon: Pink feathers above their beaks and blue above their eyes. Their cheeks are inexperienced.
- Orange-winged Amazon: Blue feathers on their foreheads and over their eyes, yellow cheeks, and an orange patch on their wings.
Food regimen & Diet
Amazon parrots like to eat and can strive their luck at begging at any time when they see their homeowners with meals. Due to this, they’ll develop into overweight, so it’s vital to observe their every day consumption and ensure excessive calorie and low nutrient seeds are solely provided sparsely.
Amazons ought to be given a weight-reduction plan of species-appropriate parrot pellets, fruit, and greens. About 60-70% pellets and 30-40% number of produce is really useful.
In addition they want contemporary water of their cages or aviaries always. You’ll be able to place a water bowl of their cage or use a water bottle that attaches to the aspect of the cage.
Cage/Housing Necessities
Amazon parrots are medium to massive in dimension and want a cage massive sufficient to swimsuit them. This isn’t an merchandise you wish to skimp on since you need it to final a few years and serve your parrot nicely.
The cage must be as huge as you’ll be able to present, however the naked minimal is 40”X30”X65” for one fowl. It additionally must have varied perches located somewhere else across the cage which are of various textures and sizes. These perches must be away from the parrot’s meals and water to keep away from droppings from falling into the bowls.
A parrot’s cage additionally wants toys to stop boredom and harmful conduct. Your parrot will seemingly chew on these toys, so it’s also possible to add cheap objects similar to cardboard and blocks of untreated wooden. In addition they get pleasure from toys that they’ll forage in, such because the Tremendous Chook Creations Coco Cornhusk Forager Chook Toy, which is able to preserve them bodily and mentally busy.
Parrot cages additionally want a spot on your parrot to cover or have some privateness. You should buy a “hiding spot” out of your native pet retailer, or you may make one out of a cardboard field. Don’t overlook so as to add meals and water bowls or a fowl cage water bottle, ideally on the perimeters of the cage to stop contamination with droppings.
Train
Train is a superb option to stimulate your parrot, entertain them, and preserve them from boredom and weight problems. Amazons are particularly vulnerable to weight problems due to their love for meals and must be taken out of their cage to train typically. You’ll be able to train your parrot by permitting them to stroll round your room, however be sure that it’s a protected setting for them with out turning ceiling followers or electrical cables that they’ll chew on.
You can too train your parrot by encouraging them to climb up on objects like stairs or rope ladders. Get your parrot to beat their wings by transferring the arm they’re perched on up and down. Chasing toys and dancing to their favourite tune are different methods to get your parrot transferring.
Caring for the Amazon Parrot
Tub Time
Amazon parrots like to splash about, so bathtub time is mostly fairly easygoing. Your parrot is likely to be comfy sufficient to affix you within the bathe, but when not, you possibly can spray heat water on their feathers or place a bowl of water down for them to get into. Parrots are capable of preen themselves and don’t want a lot assist from you in relation to getting clear. Ensure that your parrot is having a shower a number of instances per week.
Toenail and Beak Upkeep
Your grownup parrot’s toenails might must be filed down to stop them from getting caught in materials and toys, which might lure your fowl or trigger their toenails to tear off. Submitting down their toenails can even shield your pores and skin from getting injured. Your parrot ought to be capable of put on down their very own beak, but when they’re unable to or it begins to look overgrown, or if the nails develop into lengthy and must be clipped, they might want to go to the vet.
Well being & Circumstances
To forestall well being points in your parrot, be sure that their setting is protected and clear, that they get loads of psychological stimulation, and that they’re exercised every day to stop weight problems and different well being problems.
Taking your parrot to an avian vet repeatedly for test ups and preventative care can even guarantee an extended and wholesome life.
Some frequent well being points are:
- Weight problems
- Egg binding
- Hypovitaminosis A
- Feather plucking
- Polyomavirus
- Psittacine beak and feather illness
- Chlamydiosis
- Epilepsy in red-lored Amazons
3 Little-Recognized Details In regards to the Amazon Parrot
1. The Smallest Amazon Parrot Is the White-Fronted Parrot
These colorful-faced parrots are the smallest of all of the Amazon parrot species, with a size of round 9–11 inches. They’ve white foreheads, and in contrast to most different Amazons, women and men are simply distinguishable as a result of they’ve totally different colours on their shoulders. They’re generally seen within the south of Mexico.
2. Male Amazons Are Recognized to Strut
One factor that’s distinctive to male Amazons is their “strut.” It’s often placed on once they’re very excited or irritated. This strut can also be carried out out of a territorial show or to woo a mate.
3. They Want At Least 10 Hours of Sleep
Amazon parrots sleep longer than many adults, as diurnal birds, they could want between 10 and 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night time. To make sure your parrot will get the standard of sleep they want, it is best to place them in a quiet and sometimes used room at night time.
Conclusion
There are 31 species of Amazon parrots. They’re gorgeous birds which are predominantly inexperienced and have markings of various colours relying on the species. They’re daring, affectionate, and clever and are able to studying a big vocabulary and mimicking the sounds of their setting. Amazons want a weight-reduction plan of pellets, fruit, and greens and loads of train to stop weight problems.
These birds are an enormous dedication as they’re moody and have a lifespan of 30–60 years when cared for correctly. They love consideration from their homeowners however crave companionship and do nicely with a mate. With an Amazon parrot in your house, you possibly can count on numerous noise, giggles, and love.
Featured Picture Credit score: Milan Zygmunt, Shutterstock