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Types |
Fast Facts |
Videos |
Training |
Education |
Gifts |
Stories |
Related Articles |
The Amazon parrot is an independent, playful bird that will always keep you entertained with its excellent talking and singing abilities.
Someone once said (we're not sure who) that, "If African Greys are the college intellectuals, then Amazons are the class clowns!" We completely agree.
Amazons can vary between species, though, when it comes to talking and singing abilities. Some are good family pets while others are mostly one-person birds and may even attack other family members. Many Amazons can also go from cuddly and quiet to aggressive and loud in an instant. They are best suited for more experienced bird owners because of this unpredictable behavior.
Some species are more outgoing while others tend to be shy. Most Amazons are loud in the mornings and evenings, but some are more vocal than others. Because of this, they are not suited for apartment living.
Amazons also have great body language, so it is not difficult to tell when they are agitated. When an Amazon is spreading his tail feathers, dilating his eyes, and raising the feathers on the back of his neck, you need to steer clear or he may bite you.
Amazons are great talkers and some can sing entire songs and even opera! The tone and clarity of their voices are excellent. However, some species may only learn a few words and mimic sounds. Amazon parrots also make a sound when they are happy or content that some people relate to a cat purring. This is a good sound.
If you are an experienced bird owner and can handle the loud vocal ability of the Amazon, then this talented parrot might be the right pet bird for you.
| Types of Amazon Parrots | |||
| Blue-fronted Amazon | Double Yellow-headed Amazon | Mexican Red-headed Amazon | Lilac-crowned Amazon |
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| Mealy Amazon | Orange-winged Amazon | Red-lored Amazon | White-fronted Amazon |
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| Yellow-crowned Amazon | Yellow-naped Amazon | ||
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| Fast Facts | ||||
| Name | Amazon Parrots (Amazona) | |||
| Origin | Latin America | |||
| Size | 9-18 in., 250-700 grams, depending on subspecies | |||
| Color Differences | All have a base green color while their head colors can vary between red, yellow, green, blue, white, and lilac. | |||
| Average Cost | $600-1500 | |||
| Lifespan | up to 50 years or more | |||
| Noise | Amazons have a loud vocal ability and most are very loud. Amazons are most well suited for living in a house instead of an apartment. | |||
| Qualities | Independent, loyal, talkative, not shy, enjoy showing off, love being the center of attention, playful, enjoy human companionship, tend to cuddle only on their terms, some can be strong-willed and unpredictable (especially during breeding season), many become aggressive and bite during breeding season, very loud voices, prone to obesity. | |||
| Abilities | Excellent - Most are great talkers and singers, good at mimicking sounds, and easy to train. | |||
| Interaction/Time Requirements | Some species of Amazons need more human interaction than others--these are rather independent birds. However, the time requirement depends on the subspecies. | |||
| Diet | Amazons are prone to obesity, so a good diet for large parrots and lots of exercise are a necessity. Seeds should be fed in moderation because they contain a lot of fat. Amazons are also prone to Vitamin A deficiencies, so foods high in Vitamin A are good. | |||
| Supplies Needed | They need supplies for large birds. | |||
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| Amazon Videos | ||||
| "Amazon Parrot" | ||||
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Video by RFDinOKC Amazons are very talented birds. This video shows Groucho, the well-known Yellow-Naped Amazon from Disney's Animal Kingdom, entertaining the audience by singing a variety of songs (in a variety of languages!) | ||||
| "Moby, the yellow naped Amazon parrot" | ||||
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Video by Mattedmonds Amazons can not only sing, but many have great talking abilities (mainly the yellows). This video is a great example of the Amazon's ability to talk and mimick. They truly are a lot of fun! | ||||
| "Parrots will do anything for head scratches!" | ||||
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Video by wingsNpaws Amazons can also make great companions. They can be aggressive, but when handled and trained properly, they are such a joy. This video shows a Mexican Red-Headed Amazon and is a great example of how affectionate they can be. | ||||
| Amazon Training | ||||
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Amazon parrots can be very aggressive at times, so it is important to train them correctly right from the beginning. They need to be taught clear boundaries so they will learn not to bite or scream. Amazons can be fantastic companions. They are caring, loving, and they can become very attached. However, if not properly trained, they can be the most aggressive out of all the parrots. For these reasons, we highly recommend that you find an effective training program for your Amazon. Whether your Amazon is new to your home or you've had him for years, a training program will always come in handy. We personally recommend the Bird Tricks Parrot Training Course by Chet Womach. You can see many of his videos for free to get an idea of how much he knows about parrots and how he can help you train yours. Below is one of Chet's videos that discusses how to train your Amazon to take a bath. In the beginning, he reads an email from a couple who bought his training course and were very successful. They go on to ask about their Amazon's problem with taking baths. This video is a great example of how effective the training courses are and how they are filled with a wealth of useful information for any bird owner. This video is really only the first step in getting your bird tamed. We highly recommend checking out Chet's curriculum for taming your Amazon even further. | ||||
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| Amazon Education | ||||
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| Amazon Gifts | ||||
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Here are some fun gifts for the Amazon lover in your life. And if you are an Amazon lover, then these are some fun items to show your pride. You know you want to! | ||||