Cuban Amazon

I went to visit a man today that breeds and raises hawks, falcons, eagles, and some species of parrot. He has Cuban Amazons, but they were not on site today as they needed a quieter environment to nest and were at a friend's home.

As we sat down and talked, we talked about Cubans. I was expressing my interest in them and he was talking to me about them and how they were definitely his favorite parrot species. He was telling me about how he wanted to start a program for them, from what I understood it would be something like breeding programs and release programs. He has a permit to own Cuban Amazons.

He then told me that he actually has a friend that breeds Cuban Amazons and that they were either on eggs right now or the babies had just hatched. He said that his friend wants to sell the clutch altogether for a discounted price of $1000. He said if I was interested, we could go in half and half for the clutch and he would give me my choice of baby. So, yes, a better deal for him, but an awesome deal for me. $500 for a hand reared Cuban Amazon baby.

I have met this man in person and saw his permit in person for the Cubans. Now, how legitimate the other breeder is, I don't know. But I would work out all the details first.

There are a couple downsides to this. First of all, I need to make a decision within the next week or so. Otherwise, the way he made it sound, was that the babies would be sold or the deal would be off the table or something. I really wanted to wait a little longer for a bird, but obviously I have waited for one for awhile and have done all of the necessary research, although I am still learning. Second of all, I'm not sure how socialized the baby would be, or how late they will be hand reared or anything. Granted, we haven't talked in depth about it. I told him that I would think on it and get back to him and we could work out the details if I was interested. Also, if I decide against getting one right now, there will be another opportunity, but not until a year from now. And even then, no breeding is guaranteed, as we all know.


What are your opinions? Should I go for it or should I continue to wait for a bird that picks me, etc.? I'm at a loss! This is an AWESOME deal and a great opportunity, especially since they are so rare. But... I'm a little hesitant because of the time constraint.

Also: Have you ever handled a Cuban? What are they like? I've done research on them, but there is only so much out there because of how rare they are. He described them today as affectionate and very curious, and as a quieter Amazon species.

Thanks

Sounds like a pretty cool opportunity for you! I don't know anything about Cuban amazon's at all. I am sure some of the others on here will know more about them. That is a hard decision for you. I would just say think it over and go with you heart. Such big decisions to make! I am sure you will choose the right thing to do.

I just had to go look up cuban parrot ,very beautiful bird. their are quite a few sites. I looked up, Information on cuban amazon parrot. Their was a beartiful picture on a site Julies cuban amazon or something like that. That is one tough decision. Alison and sweetie pie

Important question for you: Do YOU have a permit to own a Cuban?

And do you live in the same state as the breeder, or they person with whom you would go halfs?

There are "rules' on Cuban Amazons about who can own them & whether they can be moved across state lines.

I suggest you use the time to research those rules.

I personally think they are gorgeous & wish you the best of luck. But also, I think you need to research the ownership requirements, to stay legal.

KBEquine said:

Important question for you: Do YOU have a permit to own a Cuban?

And do you live in the same state as the breeder, or they person with whom you would go halfs?

There are "rules' on Cuban Amazons about who can own them & whether they can be moved across state lines.

I suggest you use the time to research those rules.

I personally think they are gorgeous & wish you the best of luck. But also, I think you need to research the ownership requirements, to stay legal.

Click to expand...

Very very valid points. Obviously, it is a great opportunity, but if you want my opinion... do as KB suggested. Look into the legal formalities of ownership of Cuban's in your state. Also think about the future. Is there any possibility of ever moving out of your current state? If so, you may want to consider getting a bird that's legal in all the continental US states (Hawaii can be a PITA, just for dogs, not to mention birds, according to friends who have been stationed there).

If you've never handled or been able to be around one for a bit of time, you may not know how you'll "feel" around a Cuban. Hyacinths are rare, but I've had the pleasure of spending several hours with one when my best friends now husband worked at a petstore that sold exotic birds that had a resident Hy. I've also been able to be near one at a local bird store. That, along with research, is how I know that I could live with a Hy.

I also think its super important that you get a bird that clicks with you. I had a Grey before that, while Hubs and I both picked her out, never clicked with me (despite my handfeeding her... live and learn, as they say :20: ). I managed to have both Loki and Sugar pick me. I had never thought about a GCC before, until I met Loki. In my experience, it's better if the bird is able to pick you, rather than it be 'stuck' with you.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses!

Very good points. I have done a bit of research on the laws, and the man that I talked to actually told me he could either help me get a permit or he could put me on his permit under his name. But, I don't think that helps me out much if I move out of state (or out of country)!

I have sent him an e-mail asking for more details... I'll post more once I know!

KatherineI said:

I also think its super important that you get a bird that clicks with you. I had a Grey before that, while Hubs and I both picked her out, never clicked with me (despite my handfeeding her... live and learn, as they say :20: ). I managed to have both Loki and Sugar pick me. I had never thought about a GCC before, until I met Loki. In my experience, it's better if the bird is able to pick you, rather than it be 'stuck' with you.

Click to expand...

This is so true - I recently read a book written by a woman who said the whole way through the book that she & her husband were the kind of people who finished what they started, and the subject of the book was an African Grey her brother-in-law had given them when it was a baby. She didn't seem like the kind of person who enjoyed living with a bird - she complained about the mess, the biting, etc., the entire way through the book. And while there were a few stories about the bird, the book really focused on her life, and her kids, with occasional comments like 'the psychotic parrot was there through it all.'

I felt so sorry for that bird who wasn't appreciated but was kept so the woman could virtuously say that she took care of it, even though she didn't enjoy it. That bird could have been with another family - or another Grey - someone who it could relate to, who enjoyed it for who it was, and not 'stuck' with her.

And jaimmorr, I could be mistaken, but I really don't think you can 'share' an exotic bird permit. I am pretty sure that you would need to have your own for that particular parrot species.

My best advice on that topic (other than doing the research, which you are already doing) is to get your own permit or don't get the parrot. How awful would it be to be on the man's permit, have something go wrong and have to give up your companion parrot, after you've bonded and become friends?

KBEquine said:

KatherineI said:

I also think its super important that you get a bird that clicks with you. I had a Grey before that, while Hubs and I both picked her out, never clicked with me (despite my handfeeding her... live and learn, as they say :20: ). I managed to have both Loki and Sugar pick me. I had never thought about a GCC before, until I met Loki. In my experience, it's better if the bird is able to pick you, rather than it be 'stuck' with you.

Click to expand...

This is so true - I recently read a book written by a woman who said the whole way through the book that she & her husband were the kind of people who finished what they started, and the subject of the book was an African Grey her brother-in-law had given them when it was a baby. She didn't seem like the kind of person who enjoyed living with a bird - she complained about the mess, the biting, etc., the entire way through the book. And while there were a few stories about the bird, the book really focused on her life, and her kids, with occasional comments like 'the psychotic parrot was there through it all.'

I felt so sorry for that bird who wasn't appreciated but was kept so the woman could virtuously say that she took care of it, even though she didn't enjoy it. That bird could have been with another family - or another Grey - someone who it could relate to, who enjoyed it for who it was, and not 'stuck' with her.

And jaimmorr, I could be mistaken, but I really don't think you can 'share' an exotic bird permit. I am pretty sure that you would need to have your own for that particular parrot species.

My best advice on that topic (other than doing the research, which you are already doing) is to get your own permit or don't get the parrot. How awful would it be to be on the man's permit, have something go wrong and have to give up your companion parrot, after you've bonded and become friends?

Click to expand...

Yep, you could be doing all the right things, but if the permit holder does something wrong, your birds will be confiscated right along with his. GET YOUR OWN PERMIT! Plus, Cuban Amazons are one of the noisiest Amazons and have a loud screech. They are VERY hard to breed in captivity hence their scarcity.

I would never go in halfies with anyone, especially with someone I don't know. I would steer clear if it were me. Scammers always use the rarer of any exotic animal to seperate you from your money because it's such a tempting offer since they are so hard to get.

So if you go into this, go in with eyes wide open and make sure the right hand is watching what the left hand is doing.

You asked about their demeanor, i'd compare them White Fronts, IMO very similar.I think there's several people here who are owned by WFA or Spectacled Amazons

I own a Cuban amazon and she is absolutely beautiful. They are very loving birds and very talkative. I am actually looking to buy another right now. If you love birds and have the oppurtunity i recommend you buy one.



QUOTE=jaimmorr;153210]I went to visit a man today that breeds and raises hawks, falcons, eagles, and some species of parrot. He has Cuban Amazons, but they were not on site today as they needed a quieter environment to nest and were at a friend's home.

As we sat down and talked, we talked about Cubans. I was expressing my interest in them and he was talking to me about them and how they were definitely his favorite parrot species. He was telling me about how he wanted to start a program for them, from what I understood it would be something like breeding programs and release programs. He has a permit to own Cuban Amazons.

He then told me that he actually has a friend that breeds Cuban Amazons and that they were either on eggs right now or the babies had just hatched. He said that his friend wants to sell the clutch altogether for a discounted price of $1000. He said if I was interested, we could go in half and half for the clutch and he would give me my choice of baby. So, yes, a better deal for him, but an awesome deal for me. $500 for a hand reared Cuban Amazon baby.

I have met this man in person and saw his permit in person for the Cubans. Now, how legitimate the other breeder is, I don't know. But I would work out all the details first.

There are a couple downsides to this. First of all, I need to make a decision within the next week or so. Otherwise, the way he made it sound, was that the babies would be sold or the deal would be off the table or something. I really wanted to wait a little longer for a bird, but obviously I have waited for one for awhile and have done all of the necessary research, although I am still learning. Second of all, I'm not sure how socialized the baby would be, or how late they will be hand reared or anything. Granted, we haven't talked in depth about it. I told him that I would think on it and get back to him and we could work out the details if I was interested. Also, if I decide against getting one right now, there will be another opportunity, but not until a year from now. And even then, no breeding is guaranteed, as we all know.


What are your opinions? Should I go for it or should I continue to wait for a bird that picks me, etc.? I'm at a loss! This is an AWESOME deal and a great opportunity, especially since they are so rare. But... I'm a little hesitant because of the time constraint.

Also: Have you ever handled a Cuban? What are they like? I've done research on them, but there is only so much out there because of how rare they are. He described them today as affectionate and very curious, and as a quieter Amazon species.

Thanks [/QUOTE]

Hey and welcome to the forum, post some pics please,we like pics.

hi, jaimmor! how's ricco?

while i was reading your post i got this feeling its a scam. sorry to be a downer but the offer seems too good to be true. it's just my opinion and please do what you want. i dont know this person. how much do you trust them?

I would tread with great caution, your words

He has Cuban Amazons, but they were not on site today as they needed a quieter environment to nest and were at a friend's home.

Click to expand...

immediately started alarm bells ringing for me.
Are they his birds or this other persons? I would ask to see his licence and if he is at all hesitant, walk away.

SpringCottageParrot said:

I would tread with great caution, your words

He has Cuban Amazons, but they were not on site today as they needed a quieter environment to nest and were at a friend's home.

Click to expand...

immediately started alarm bells ringing for me.
Are they his birds or this other persons? I would ask to see his licence and if he is at all hesitant, walk away.

Click to expand...

I kinda got the same feeling....didnt want to say it , but since others have felt the same way , im glad its been brought to your attention.

I have loved those birds for a very long time , the size , coloring and from what i have heard is that they arent as noisy as some Zons can be.
But , until you have one in your home , youll never know , lolol.
I have been told they can be very nippy. Back then they were more numerous then they are now I guess, i never knew you needed a permit to own one !

If you feel you have the time for another bird , then go ahead !
But IMO it would be best to concentrate on your relationship with your Goffin a little bit more, I should talk though , lolol Sometimes these offers only come around once....but in your case twice ...I would wait till the next breeding to make sure its all legit.
Just my opinion ....

They are very beautiful birds though !