Amazon Parrot
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amazona spp. (30+ species) |
| Origin | Central and South America, Caribbean |
| Size | Medium-Large (10-18 inches, 250-700 grams) |
| Lifespan | 40-70 years |
| Noise Level | High (loud vocalizations) |
| Talking Ability | Excellent (among the best talkers) |
| Diet | Pellets, vegetables, fruits, limited nuts |
| Care Level | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Space Requirements | Minimum 36x24x36 inch cage |
Recommended for Amazon Parrots
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Harrison's Bird Foods - Certified organic pellets | Lafeber - Premium nutri-berries | Kaytee - Parrot nutrition and enrichment
Top Food Choices for Amazon Parrots
Harrison's High Potency - Organic low-fat pellets | Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries - Balanced nutrition | Kaytee Exact Rainbow - Daily parrot diet
A genus of loud, clear talkers
Amazon parrots are Amazona, more than 30 species. Shops flatten more than 30 species into one range: 10 to 18 inches, 40 to 70 years, high noise, excellent talking, and care that runs from intermediate to advanced. A yellow-naped Amazon and a smaller species do not share a cage size or a bite force. Get the species name before you trust one cage plan.
They talk well when they are going to talk, and they scream when the flock should answer. Spring hormones make many males, and some females, bluff, bite, and sing at volumes that surprise a household that loved the whisper-talk in February. Give them at least 36 by 24 by 36 inches. Large species need more. Pellets, vegetables, fruit, and limited nuts are the diet. Seed-only Amazons become obese and short of vitamin A.
Forty years of spring
Buy captive-bred. Several Amazons are protected in the wild. Have an avian vet from AAV who has seen reproductive disease, because chronic egg laying and hormonal aggression are the cases these birds bring in. A quiet Amazon that used to shout is a medical change. See the quiet bird page.
Amazon parrot questions
Which Amazon is the pet?
There is not one. Yellow-naped, double yellow-headed, blue-fronted, and orange-winged Amazons are all common, and size runs from about 10 to 18 inches. Ask for the species.
Why is my Amazon screaming in the spring?
Many Amazons get louder and more aggressive in breeding season. Extra sleep, less petting on the back, and a predictable routine help. A sudden change still deserves a vet if the bird stops eating.
How long do Amazons live?
40 to 70 years. That is a working lifetime. Write down who takes the bird.
Decision Guides for Amazon Parrot
Use these only when comparing food, insurance, ownership budget, or beginner fit for this specific pet.