Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrots are amazing birds with very few behavior problems. That being said, there is always an exception to every rule and even the practically perfect. Yellow-Naped Amazons will occasionally have a bout of unpleasant or unacceptable behavior. How you react to that behavior will in large part determine how long the behavior lasts and whether a habit develops.
Screaming
Screaming is the most common behavior complaint of Yellow Naped Amazon owners. If the behavior hasn’t become a habit you can simply cover your bird’s cage and most often they’ll quiet right down. On the other hand, if it has become a habit, a different approach will need to be taken.
Chances are the habit has developed because you have responded to the behavior in a manner that has encouraged it. For example, your Yellow Naped screams when you’re playing with the dog. In response, you walk away from the dog and go pat the Yellow Naped on the head. You’ve told your bird “your screaming works.”
So your first step is to not respond to the screaming. Your second step is to determine the cause of the screaming. Generally, they scream if they want attention. Your third and final step will be to train them. Training accomplishes several things, including eliminating screaming. It strengthens the bond between you and your Yellow Naped and it stimulates their mind. They’re very smart birds, they love training, and they learn quickly. This isn’t to say that you won’t need to have patience, all bird training requires love and patience, but it works!
It is also important to note that Yellow Naped Amazons are noisy birds. They are particularly noisy when you least want them to be, first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It’s how they communicate with their flock in the wild and now you’re their flock. Don’t expect them to change this natural behavior.
Biting
Biting can become an issue once your male, or female, begins to reach sexual maturity. You may experience biting when you reach your hand into their cage. You may get bitten when you try to play with them or any time you try to interact. This is normal behavior; however, you don’t have to live with it.
First, make sure you don’t react to the bite. The more you react, i.e. pull your hand away or yell, the more your Yellow Naped knows he’s getting his way. When you reach into your Amazon’s cage and they bite you, pulling your hand out quickly and shutting the door gives them exactly what they want – to be left alone.
Again, training is the best way to eliminate this behavior. You’ll also need to train yourself to not react to their beak. To protect your hand and to get over the urge to jerk your hand away, present your hand in a manner that makes it difficult to get a hold of.
Feather Plucking
Feather plucking is generally caused by stress or illness. Your first step if your Yellow Naped Amazon begins plucking is to take them to an avian veterinarian to make sure they’re 100% healthy. Your next step is to determine what may be causing the behavior. Yellow Naped Amazon’s generally adapt fairly well, however, it doesn’t mean yours isn’t reacting to their environment. It happens.
The best way to deal with any undesirable behavior is to first determine what is causing it, and then to train the behavior away. Training takes time, patience, and a training system based on positive reinforcement. It is critical to ensure a trusting bond between you and your Yellow Naped and regular training will help to ensure a long and happy life together.