There are many species of Amazon, all originating from South and Central America, as well as Mexico.
All Amazons are stocky, short-tailed, mainly green birds. Different species often vary little; being mostly green birds, they vary mostly in the coloration of the head, and the size of the birds, which ranges from 10″ to 18″ in the commonly available species.
How Long Do Amazon Parrots Live
Amazon parrots are long-lived parrots, they live on average longer than African Greys but slightly less than macaws. Amazon bird is the right choice for you. They can live for over 50 years in captivity if they are well cared for.
In the wild, their lifespan is shorter, typically around 30 to 40 years. However, it’s important to note that factors such as diet, living conditions, and genetics can all affect the lifespan of an individual bird.
It’s also important to consider that amazon parrots are considered long-lived pets, it requires a long-term commitment to provide them with proper care and love.
Amazon parrot noises level
Amazons are very loud birds! However, most individuals are not as loud as the larger macaws. They are still very high-volume birds! And they usually have once- or twice-a-day “Happy Noise Times”, where they voice off just for the sheer joy of it.
Amazon parrot talking ability
When it comes to talking ability, Amazons are known as being among the best. This does vary a great deal between species, as well as between individuals. Yellow Naped, Double Yellow Heads, and Yellow Crowned are known as being among the best talkers in the parrot world. Others aren’t top talkers, although nearly every Amazon is going to learn a few things.
What Type of Person is a Suitable Amazon Parrot Owner
I would not recommend an Amazon to a person inexperienced in birds, first off. An Amazon owner needs to tolerate and love their bird in each of its “moods”. If you can’t put up with a wide variety of personality traits (all contained within one bird!), then it’d be better to either look at the more easy-going Amazons or perhaps a different group of birds altogether. If you’re looking for a talking bird you can show off to friends, this is as close as you’ll get, however, don’t ever buy an Amazon just for its talking abilities! Amazons are generally not birds to have around kids; their moodiness and large size could easily result in serious injury for a small hand.
Amazon Parrot Subspecies
- The Yellow-Headed Parrot Group
I include the Double Yellow Head, Yellow Nape, and Yellow Crown. There are really more species of Amazons in this group, including Panama, but these are rarely available. All three of these birds are large; around 15″ long, give or take. They’re mainly green. The adult Double Yellow Head (DYH) has an entirely yellow head; the adult Yellow Nape (YN), has a yellow patch on the back of the neck, while the Yellow Crown (YC), has only a small amount of yellow on the forehead.
The YC is the least available, while the other two are quite common. They are, as a group, known as being among the moodiest and hardest to get along with; they are also known as being the most spectacular Amazons. The YCs are known as being somewhat less moody than the other two while retaining their talking ability. All these birds are available for around $700 to $1,100.
- Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot
This bird is probably one of the best-known Amazons. It was one of the most extensively imported, and about ten years ago one of the most common. It’s now somewhat less common, although still quite popular. They’re, if anything, the “default” Amazon in personality and talking ability, having a typical Amazon personality and pretty good talking ability. They usually run around $700-$900.
- Green Cheeked, Lilac Crowned, and Red Lored Amazons Parrots
This group of Amazons (which also includes the rarer Finsche’s and Salvin’s Amazons), are quite closely related. The Red Lored (not Red Lord!) or Yellow Cheeked Amazon is the only one to have yellow on the face. The Greencheeked (or Mexican Red Headed) is larger and more robust than the Lilac Crown, and also generally does not have as much “lilac” on the “crown” 🙂 The Lilac Crown is the smallest and slenderest. All these birds are known as being much more easy-going than most Amazons, though with only so-so-talking ability. All can be found for around $500-$800.
- Orange Wing Amazon Parrot
The Orange Wing was another very extensively imported Amazon. They’re not all that popular with the public, however, so their price is pretty low; as low as $350, although $400 to $600 is more common. There’s no reason for their unpopularity; they have typical Amazon personalities, and typical Amazon talking abilities.
- Spectacled, or White-Fronted, Amazon Parrot
This little guy is the smallest of the Amazons, at only 10″ long. They’re known for being somewhat independent and stand-offish, and that combined with their low talking ability hasn’t made them very popular. However, those that do own them know that not everything said about them is true; they do make wonderful pets! They’re great for anybody who likes Amazons but is intimidated by their size, and who doesn’t much care about talking abilities. They’re generally pretty inexpensive, as well; as little as $250, on up to $450 or so.
- Mealy Amazon Parrot
This is the largest of the available Amazons, at 18″ long. Big bird! They aren’t popular parrots at all; it can be hard to find them for sale. This is a shame because they’re known for having some of the best Amazon personalities, being gentle, sweet birds. However, due to their large size, they also have an enormous voice that can rival the largest macaw or cockatoo in volume! There are a couple of subspecies, that vary in the color of the head. The Blue-Crowned Mealy is generally regarded as the most attractive, with the Farinosa also being pretty colorful.
Amazon parrot behavior and personality:
Amazons vary a great deal in personality. Some are cuddlers; some are not. Some are outgoing; some are one-person birds. Some love playing; others would rather sit still. Some… well, you get the point! And it doesn’t vary by species, so much as by the individual.
A single clutch of Amazons can have a wide range of personalities. Moreover, one personality trait shared by most Amazons is the range of personality even within the individual! Amazons tend to be “moody”; one minute cuddling down next to you, the next loud and even aggressive! Sometimes this varies by time of day or even season; during the breeding season, many Amazons, particularly males, can be hard to get along with and somewhat unpredictable.
This does, somewhat, vary by species; the “Yellow Headed” group tends to be the worst. In general, Amazons are not big cuddlers, preferring you didn’t hug them and cuddle them, although most love head-scratchings. Most are bold and outgoing; often loving strangers and loving to perform for people. Unlike most African Greys, talking Amazons are usually more than happy to show off their talent to anybody who cares to listen.