Mary Allen
All Amazonian parrots have a strong beak of medium length, the upper part of which is rounded, and the upper beak forms a sharp ridge with the base. The beak can be black, brown, or yellowish-grey. All Amazon species have in common a short, slightly rounded tail. The wingspan of these parrots is not impressive, the wing covers the middle of the tail.
At home, these parrots can live up to 70 years, in wild birds live up to 50 years. But it is quite difficult to guess the age of a pet when buying it. Juveniles can be recognized by the grey-brown iris of the eyes. However, by the age of three, the color of the iris becomes reddish-brown and no longer changes. After three years, it is practically impossible to determine the age of the bird.
Males and females do not differ in plumage. Sex can only be determined by a vet through endoscopy or DNA testing.
The Typical Habitat
Flocks of these birds inhabit forests in the Amazon basin and flat areas overgrown with cacti and shrubs. However, some species are found in the Antilles, for example, the royal Amazon lives on the island of St. Vincent, the yellow-shouldered often on the island of Bonaire.
The typical habitat of parrots from the Amazon is the Caribbean rainforest. The birds are also observed in South and Central America, in humid savannas with short-term droughts. The parrots live in colonies. During the mating season, they temporarily split into pairs and stay together until the chicks are able to fly on their own.
The Basis of Nutrition
The basis of the diet is plant foods: fruits, young shoots of trees, leaves, some flowers. Nuts, seeds, and fruits from coffee and other trees provide variety.
It is not permitted to feed the parrots dairy products or meat, although the latter may be to their liking. Meat products disrupt the body’s internal processes, ultimately leading to feather loss and obesity. Sweet and flour products, coffee, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. One should also not feed avocados, persimmons, mangoes, potatoes, onions, and garlic. Plants rich in essential oils (for example, parsley) also have a negative effect on the pet.
Protein food is useful, but only in small amounts – no more than three times a month in small portions. As a protein supplement, you can offer the pet a boiled quail egg or fat-free cottage cheese.
The daily amount of feed for a bird must not exceed 50 g. It’s important to keep this in mind as Amazon parrots have healthy appetites that remain unchanged even during illness.
Sexual Maturity
The birds reach sexual maturity at three or four years. The cage for two parrots should be large enough, at least 1.5 m high. In addition, both birds are brought into good physical condition: they are given high-quality food and often have to fly.
The suitable time for mating is early April. A nest or nest house is placed in a pet cage, the bottom of which is sprinkled with a mixture of bark and granular sawdust. The female lays eggs about two weeks after mating, usually three. The incubation period is about 29 days. Chicks that turn 20 days old are placed in a separate cages for safety.
During mating and feeding, the birds become aggressive even to the owner, so he should be careful during this period.
Mimic the Sounds of Other Animals and People
Amazon parrots are distinguished by their loudness: every morning they start vocal exercises and, as a rule, attract the attention of the owner with a certain sound. At the same time, they can imitate the sounds of other animals and people. However, in intelligence, these birds are somewhat inferior to gray parrots, but they can memorize and reproduce up to 100 words. Learning is based on the method of repeating a word multiple times. If the parrot says it, he gets a reward.
If desired, these birds can learn to follow the daily routine or practice a few simple tricks.