Amazon Parrot

Amazon sound

• Over 30 Amazona species described
• Those commonly seen in practice include
  • Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva)
  • Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica)
  • Double Yellow-headed Amazon (Amazona oratrix)
  • Yellow-naped Amazon (Amazona auropalliata)
  • Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis)
  • White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons)
• Young Amazon parrots have a gray-brown iris. This changes within 2-3 years to a red, red-orange, or chestnut-brown. After that age it is very difficult to determine an Amazon’s age.
• Weight: 350-600 gm
• Sexual maturity: 4-6 years
• Males and females look alike in most cases.  A simple blood test can determine the gender of your bird
• Avg. life span: 40-50 years
• Maximum recorded life span: 80+ years
• Origins: Central and South America, Islands of the Caribbean

Behavior

• Highly intelligent and curious; Amazons love to explore their surroundings
• Considered by many to be the most trainable of all parrots
• Have the capacity to learn a large vocabulary
• Tamed birds readily adapt to new surroundings and activities; expose early to daily activities in your household as well as to other pets
• Need environmental enrichment, interesting toys, and foraging exercises to reduce the chance of behavioral problems.
• Can be very noisy and destructive

Diet

• Amazons in the wild feed on a variety of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
• Seed-based diets are not recommended as they permit pet birds to select an imbalanced diet from what is offered.
• Formulated diets (“pellets” or “crumbles”) provide more complete and balanced nutrition, do not allow selective feeding, and should comprise about 75% of the diet
• Dark leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits can make up 20-25% of diet
• Treats should be limited to only 5% of the diet
• Clean, fresh water should be provided daily

Environment

• Enclosures should be as large as possible, such that the bird is able to fully extend it’s wings and flap without touching the cage walls
• Cage should be clean, secure, safe and constructed of durable, non-toxic materials
• Perches should be of variable widths, heights, and textures.  Also provide a concrete perch to help to maintain the toenails.
• Avoid placing perches directly over food or water to prevent contamination
• Access to natural light is preferred
• Avoid drafty areas.
• Parrots should stay in their cage or a “bird safe” room when they are not under direct supervision.
• Birds with unrestricted access to the home are at risk for accidents such as toxin ingestion, electrocution, pet attacks, and drowning.

Preventive Care

• Physical examinations every 6-12 months
  • Consult a veterinarian with experience in avian medicine if you have any questions or concerns about your bird’s health.
• Annual fecal examination for parasites, yeast, and bacteria
• Vaccination for Polyomavirus, as directed by your veterinarian
• Routine blood testing
• Wing, nail trimming as needed

Common Medical Disorders

• Obesity
• Atherosclerosis
• Respiratory infections
• Discolored feathers (hepatopathy or malnutrition)
• Foot necrosis
• Chlamydiosis (rhinitis, sinusitis, enteritis)
• Fatty liver disease
• Papillomatosis
• Chronic sinus infection
• Egg-binding