Amazon Parrots

Amazon Parrots are typically what comes to mind when talking about parrots. These birds are native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Most Amazons are green in color with splashes of distinguishing color on the head, shoulders and/or tail. They range in length from eight to eighteen inches. They tend to be somewhat stocky birds and their tails are usually about a quarter of their length. A Blue Fronted Amazon’s image heads this week’s column.

Most Amazons make good companion birds, especially if they learn to live with humans while still comparatively young. Amazon Parrots can live to age 50. Many Amazon species can mimic human speech quite well. Many Amazon species are quite playful and enjoy showing off in front of their humans. Amazons can tend to obesity and Vitamin A deficiencies. Seed diets are bad choices for these (and virtually all other) parrots – good quality pellets supplemented with green vegetables (such as: leaf & romaine lettuce, cabbage, collard greens & spinach) and small amounts of fruit and nuts (primarily as treats)

Body language in Amazons is comparatively simple to interpret. Constricted eye pupils, flared tail feathers, wings held out from the body and feathers raised on the back of the neck are all indicators of aggression in Amazons. Reading a bird’s body language is one of the keys to optimizing the quality of life when living with any parrot or related avian.

There is no consistency in Amazon Parrots preferences in human companions. Some Amazons prefer a single person to all others and some will like many people. Some birds prefer persons of the opposite sex and some prefer humans of the same sex. Aggression levels in Amazons tend to increase during breeding seasons.

Although import of wild caught parrots is more or less banned in the USA, European Union and many other countries, trapping of wild parrots poses a major threat to many species as does loss of habitat due to human encroachment.

No same day adoptions, multiple visits are required.

Email wiltonparrot@yahoo.com for an application.

Please visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilton-Parrot-Rescue/ and/or http://www.wiltonparrotrescue.com to find out more about Wilton Parrot Rescue.

Wilton Parrot Rescue is a small home-based parrot rescue. Our goal is to find permanent loving homes for surrendered or rescued companion parrots. We work with a limited number of birds at a time to ensure individualized attention for each bird and greater adoption success.

Contact us about volunteer opportunities.