New YNA added to the flock:

Greetings everyone. First off since I'm a newbie here, HI!

My family an I recently adopted a yellow-nape amazon. We were told that he's male and about three years old. However, reading past forums here, I know how that age estimate could be. He's also not banded.

Since he's been with the flock for just under a week at this point in time, we've still have a ways to go before he'll open up I think. He currently steps up with out being told. First thing in the morning when I open his cage, his foot is raised up awaiting an arm. We still do use the up command out of habit with our other birds. Right now, his temperament seems to be inquisitive and calm, which is good because I've had misgivings since we have a toddler in the house.

Current diet: Mixture of pellets, seeds, nuts, dried tropical fruits.
We offer fresh fruit and veggies with every meal the family has. Loves apples, will steal your mac & cheese and corn, not interested in carrots (cooked or raw). May take a few bites of peas before moving on, and so far dislikes bananas.

Here's a really good photo of him:


Since this is our first large bird and the fourth addition to our flock, I have a few questions and concerns the fine folks here on these forums may have experience with. He was, an impulse adoption...More later

After the quarantine period is over, would it be wise to introduce him to the rest of our flock? We currently have a peach-fronted conure, and two teils, all in the range of 7 to 8 years old. One of our teils is queen of the flock, and makes sure the pfc and other teil are in line. I'm worried about her and the YNA getting along. He's very quiet at this moment in time, low growls and squawks but nothing indicating aggressiveness. The growls seems 'happy' if you will as most of the time it occurs when he's getting head and neck rubs!

Also, with a young child (2yo) I am concerned about them getting along. Both are very inquisitive and while I'm sure one will learn should something unfortunate happen, I'd like to mitigate that as much as possible. On the other hand, my daughter has offered up her breakfast and lunch to him.

Are there any recommended books for training an Amazon? Since the previous owner couldn't say how much he was trained, I'd like to start a regiment to help develop a healthy lifestyle.

I've read that Amazons can become overweight with human food, beyond the normal toxic foods is there anything one shouldn't feed, or only offer sparingly (IE Mac & cheese)?

One last question for now: Our teils and pfc aren't clipped. We used to clip their wings, however they all developed the strength to fly pretty well even with proper clipping, but they didn't have much control. As an experiment we let them keep their flight feathers, and we've had less accidents and loss of control. Flying into windows has never been much of a concern as we have plenty of 'pretties' in all our windows. In fact, they like to perch upon the curtain rods...Now with the little one, that may change if we ever have an escape . So getting off track here, what is the general census of clipping for Amazons?

Now on to the impulse: So, I heard about a bird fair in our area. Just to get out of the house and what have you, and since bird event, why not! Thought maybe at most pick up a few new toys. Anyhow, she falls in love with the YNA, and I'd like to think the YNA fell in love with her as well as for hours he'd not leave her shoulder. It is true parrots pick their flocks! So, we ended up leaving the fair with a new flock member Granted we've been discussing a larger bird for some time now, however never settled on a species, or found one after researching it that things 'clicked' just so. As such, my current knowledge is minimal on Amazons.

Thanks for taking a peek at this rather long post!

Congrats and welcome! Beautiful nape! If it were me I'd keep the child away from the nape and vice versa. Zon owners will come along with more/better advice.

Haha, well SO far, things have been fairly calm. My daughter loves birds. She'll chase the teils about all day. The PFC we keep away from her as he's bonded to the misses, and anyone who comes with in his territory is fair game.

She's petted him on the back, which I hear Zons don't like, tempting fate I gave it a shot and was promptly told NO!

Hello and welcome! Specs is gorgeous!
My zons seem to ignore the rest of our flock, but all birds are different so I would just be watchful when you introduce him to the rest of your flock. I keep my bigger birds away from the smaller ones, just to be on the safe side.
Please be careful with him around your daughter - my fids are just sometimes in a bad mood and will bite us really hard. I would hate for her to get bitten like that.

There is a lot of info in the Amazon section of the forum that should help out a lot
So glad you joined us!

Yep yep, been digging though. Lots of info, but I still like to hear personal experiences, and or updates without trying to necro a thread

Its quite amazing as far as biting at this moment in time. When he told me NO not to pet his back, he didn't bite hard. My teils will hit harder than him.

Welcome to the forum.

What a beautiful Nape you got! I wouldn't be so sure that Specs is actually a boy. Of course there's no way of knowing unless you have him tested (or "he" lays an egg)....I'm just having a hunch here.

I also think you've made remarkable strides with Specs in very little time. It's a GREAT sign that he's stepping up for you so easily.

Amazons CAN become couch potatoes, yes, and they can then turn into chubsters. What type of cage do you have for him? Does he play with toys, does he forage?

My female Nape (she's almost 15) is fully flighted, but I sometimes have to gently remind her of that fact. :54: She'd be happy hanging out on me 24/7, but that wouldn't be the best thing for her, lol.

As for having Specs living with a 2 year old. Please be careful. Right now I believe you still may be in the honeymoon phase with Specs. Amazons "can" become quite hormonal during breeding season, and even adults can have a hard time around them during that time. No, not all of them get vicious. My hen has never punctured skin, neither on me or my (now grown) children.

If you have more photos, please do share. She's (yup...I said SHE) is SO pretty.

LOL, i had the same thought wendy, looks like a girl to me too.

Welcome to the forum. I grew up with Amazons as a kid and so did my kids, we all survived. A few scars here and there but not too bad. I wouldn't mix the tiels with the zon, let them have plenty of space. Most amazons will get around to testing their "boundaries" at some point. It's like they want to see if they have a strong flock leader , be that strong,confident,outgoing leader. Your young daughter could be the "favorite" or the one who gets picked on, or somewhere in between. If he's as well socialized as he seems to be then i think you'll have little trouble. Clipping can be a controversial issue and i think a personal decision. If he's flighted and stays out of trouble then try leaving him that way, you could always clip a few flights if it's becoming an issue.Amazon get too much fat in their diet when eating human foods, be aware of what he's eating from your plate, he'll prefer the "junk food". Fresh veggies and greens are a good addition to a well rounded diet. Glad to see you here and asking questions about your new family member. We love pics,stories and vids so post away.

Welcome! Specs is an adorable name. He sounds like a very well socialized bird, and definitely sounds like he's all zon. Just to touch on your questions-

1. I would introduce him to your flock in the sense of him living in the same area. I would not, however, allow them out at the same time or at least leave them unsupervised together since he is so much bigger than you other birds (YNAs are one of the largest of the amazons).

2. One thing to keep in mind about children and birds is even the sweetest bird can inflict an unpleasant bite, and little ones don't always understand how to respect an animal (you know, not pull the tail or pet hard and stuff like that). You can't really blame the bird either if it bites your child. As the parent, thats a choice you have to make if you are ok with the risk or would like to wait until the child is older and understands better how to behave around animals. I grew up around birds, theres in fact pictures of them in my crib (one of them became obsessed with me the day I came home as a newborn). My parents were very watchful of my interactions as I became more curious about the birds, and taught me to respect them and how to interact properly from a very young age. They has stuffed (not taxidermy! like toys) parrots I was allowed to play with and learn how to pet and how not to tug their tail before I was allowed to play with the real birds. I was not allowed to be alone with them until I was older and knew how and was able to hold them properly. A 2 or 3 year old childs hand is not big enough to provide a stable perch, and bigger birds can be a bit heavy/intimidating for a young child. They made the ground rules very clear that I had to ask them if I wanted to play with the birds. I did end up getting bit several times as a kid, because I disobeyed them and tried to play with the birds without my parents. I got in trouble above and beyond just getting bit because I broke the rules, so I didn't do that very many times:09:

3. Theres this guy on youtube who has a good training program https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbBYFDkdbAWyt4r_kD45dw and he also has a book (though I haven't read it). All parrots learn much in the same way, so his techniques work on amazons even though he has different birds. I've been working on training our 16 year old rescue BFA using some of his techniques. One thing he doesn't say that I have found useful with my bird is to "demonstrate" the trick, and give yourself a treat before asking the bird, so he understands whats expected.

4. Amazons can become overweight or obese easily. Food should be portioned, and no bird needs a overflowing with food dish 2x a day. That just promoted overeating. Table food is ok for them, but shouldn't be a huge portion of their overall diet. I'm not a fan of pellets, I feed our amazon Volkmans soak n simmer (which is a cooked mix of grains, beans and pasta) which he LOVES and is very healthy for him, just takes a little extra time to cook up every couple days (store leftovers in the fridge). He gets a heaping spoonful in the am and pm, plus fruit and veg and some table food. He gets seed too, but doesn't eat very much of it. He's a health 415 or-so grams. They also need lots of exercise. They should be out of their cage more than their in it and encouraged to climb, forage, and if flighted, fly.

5. Clipping is a personal choice, and a VERY hot topic. Our amazon is clipped and is an active, healthy, happy boy. However, we were told upon adopting him he had never been taught to fly. He seems to have no concept of flight and trying to teach him proved to be traumatic. I would likely have him flighted if he could fly, but he's happy the way he is, so I don't push it. Flight is ideal, as most birds can and want to fly, but it is sometimes necessary to clip and a bird in a loving, caring home shouldn't have an issue with not being flighted.

NOOOO! I had a long reply posted up and I was attacked by the baby!

Anyhow, cage is 32"w x 23" d x 65" h with play area on top. Plenty of toys. A rope perch, palm leaves, balsa blocks. Hasn't touched many of them. Woke up this morning to part of the palm ripped a bit. YAY!

He's very sedate right now. Wants to be on you, or at least near someone. Doesn't walk about too much on the couch or floor. Would rather put his head down and be scratched for hours on end. The wife and I feel that he might not like being alone. If he's put on the floor, he'll walk to his cage, climb up to the play area, get a drink and then make this purring noise. Almost as if calling us to him to pick him up. He has climbed all over his cage but hasn't climbed down to the floor from it yet.

I'll provide more detail later, as its lunch time and well...my original reply is GONE by the magic of BABY!

**EDIT: So adding more to this post here...
I've read up on the hormonal issues amazons have. As always, it will be a bit of a concern. My daughter loves the birds, her and Mercedes aren't always the best of friends - there have been a few nips, but she likes to be close to her. Specs and her are getting along quite well at the moment. At breakfast and lunch, she is offering up part of her toast, or what not to him. Always mindful of the beak I am, but does make me happy they seem to be getting along. Today for example, Specs walked down my arm, left my breakfast alone, walked to my daughters plate. Shes got this piece of strawberry toast in her hands and just holds it out to Specs. Which, he happy starts to nibble on right then and there. I couldn't tell who was getting more satisfaction, my daughter or the bird!

Thanks Kiwi for the youtube link. I'll poke about it tonight when I get some free time. I wanted pellets to see if he'd at least be interested in them. My teils were seed addicts and took us many years to ween them away from a full seed diet. They are much healthier now. He's always out of his cage. I am concerned about his sedate tendency's, but could still be the adjustment period. Right now, unless your doing something with food, he'll be more than happy to sit on your shoulder for hours.

With regards to flight how maneuverable are they? With the conure and teil's, I describe them as the fast attack fighters, able to weave in and circle about in tight areas. Not trying to start an argument for or against clipping. I understand that its very controversial topic, just trying to gain people's personal experiences and what have you.

Few more photo's of Specs:

The wee lass, some KFC (was lazy and a long day) and the Mac & Cheese thief trying to hide the evidence!

So, might I ask what makes you think he is a she? Once our vet comes back from vacation I'll make an appointment to have him sexed and just a general health checkup. I need to see if I can get him to perch upon our kitchen scale and get his weight!

Shape of the head and body posture. Hens have a "rounder" look to their head shape and males are flat top. My wife is much better than i about guessing their gender. Some of my amazon hens have names like Jake,Kong,Pedro,etc, i'm a terrible guesser. DNA is the best way.

Specs is beautiful!!! What a wonderful impulse to adopt

I'd have to say long as your daughter keeps her stocked with goodies, they will be friends most of the time!!! All birds have their moments especially during hormone season, but you'll know it and can keep baby fingers at a safer distance!!

Look forward to more photos, but what a beautiful, beautiful baby (or I should say babies, both girls are beautiful!).

He looks really healthy. Nice, shiny plumage! And your daughter is so adorable, I bet her and Specs will be great buddies in a hurry. Most birds kind of "understand" children are a little different than adults and tend to nip rather than bite if they feel the need to convey a point (obviously no guarantees there, just a generalization).

Amazons can be absolutely amazing fliers, and yes, they can zip around corners and do all kinds of ariel acrobatics. Their natural habitat is dense jungle, so not all that different than the obstacles they'd encounter in a domestic home. My parents amazons are flighted. One doesn't really fly much, but the female is just stunning with her flight abilities. I can't say she hasn't ever attacked from above, because she has. My dad will occasionally get "dived bombed" and she attacked one of my cousins once. She would land on me while I was walking. Barney, the male, can pretty much fly in a straight line, and does best if given a head start by going him a light toss (I think thats a nice way of saying flying isn't his thing). He hasn't ever even so much as nipped someone, and certainly never attacked anyone. He is the most gentle, boring parrot ever. Our male zon is clipped and has never flown in his life. I clip him because he comes outside and if that one in a billion worst case scenario happened, he would have 0 control, and I'd rather him stay low and crash land than get lift and stuck in a tree. He has no issue being clipped, but that may be because he has never known anything different. He shows no inclination towards flight either, it's as though he doesn't understand his wings "do that". Clipped wing have a wide variety of effects on birds who were previously flighted- it can improve their behavior, they don't care or it can make their behavior much, much worse. I would say if theres no good reason to clip him (he doesn't sound aggressive or like he's risking injury to himself), I would leave him flighted unless he becomes an issue. MY OPINION ONLY HERE.

Kiwibird said:

He looks really healthy. Nice, shiny plumage! And your daughter is so adorable, I bet her and Specs will be great buddies in a hurry. Most birds kind of "understand" children are a little different than adults and tend to nip rather than bite if they feel the need to convey a point (obviously no guarantees there, just a generalization).

Amazons can be absolutely amazing fliers, and yes, they can zip around corners and do all kinds of ariel acrobatics. Their natural habitat is dense jungle, so not all that different than the obstacles they'd encounter in a domestic home. My parents amazons are flighted. One doesn't really fly much, but the female is just stunning with her flight abilities. I can't say she hasn't ever attacked from above, because she has. My dad will occasionally get "dived bombed" and she attacked one of my cousins once. She would land on me while I was walking. Barney, the male, can pretty much fly in a straight line, and does best if given a head start by going him a light toss (I think thats a nice way of saying flying isn't his thing). He hasn't ever even so much as nipped someone, and certainly never attacked anyone. He is the most gentle, boring parrot ever. Our male zon is clipped and has never flown in his life. I clip him because he comes outside and if that one in a billion worst case scenario happened, he would have 0 control, and I'd rather him stay low and crash land than get lift and stuck in a tree. He has no issue being clipped, but that may be because he has never known anything different. He shows no inclination towards flight either, it's as though he doesn't understand his wings "do that". Clipped wing have a wide variety of effects on birds who were previously flighted- it can improve their behavior, they don't care or it can make their behavior much, much worse. I would say if theres no good reason to clip him (he doesn't sound aggressive or like he's risking injury to himself), I would leave him flighted unless he becomes an issue. MY OPINION ONLY HERE.

Click to expand...

The part of the gentle toss made me think of Rio "Thank you for coming over and throwing my bird"

When the PFC was clipped used to take him outside with me on nice warm days. All in all we'll likely leave him flighted, just time will tell.

Apologies for the short reply the other day. I have noticed today that he's been trying to 'fly' more. Four attempts, nothing spooked him, his wings just slightly opened, dipped his head and then lunged. The misses has tossed about the idea of a feather harness, did a quick search and seen a few posts for conures and macaws and 2 in the Amazon's forums.

Any recommended type of harness? I've read getwozzy's thread from last year, just pondering how did that turn out? While it's still cold outside (SNOW HERE STILL!!!) I'd like to start working with Specs to come with us out and about when it warms up.

I've tried the feather tether and Aviator's harness with both my teils and the pfc but they will have none of it. Not even after a year of working with them. Just all ends in disaster. So, any more they just relax on our screen porch.

Onto breakfast and lunch today. Being a lazy morning, just did a bit of cereal for breakfast, and learned I need to invest in some heavier bowls... Thought the wee lass makes a mess...HA! No milk in his bowl, I just had a low saucer type, he steps up on it, picks up a flake walks about and drops it. Does this about twenty times or so until he discovers one worth eating. Meanwhile the lass is enjoying watching the bird make a mess, so you can only guess how that went

Lunch was a simple hot roast beef sandwich which I'm not sure who ended up sharing more. Me or my daughter. I did get the privilege of wiping off Specs beak!

He's starting to want to go into his home rather than on top of it. Even with tempting treats up in the play area. I'll sit him up there and next thing you know he's climbing down and perching inside. Not to worried as if you ask him to step up, he'll gladly come back out on your arm.

Hopefully snap a few more photo's of him this weekend.
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/31542-aviator-harness.html?highlight=feather+tether

Harnesses are one of those things some birds will tolerate and others will still freak over no matter how much you work with them. You see a lot of cockatoos and conures who take easily to wearing harnesses because they are little love sponges who are generally more accepting of touch overall than other species. That's not to say an amazon couldn't learn to wear one, but I think you might have your work cut out for you

My boy doesn't even allow scritches, so trying to wrestle him into a harness would likely result in some amputated fingers:52: He's allowed to run around on the deck since he can't fly, but I think he would probably enjoy seeing the wider world than just the backyard We recently got him a backpack carrier so he could actually come around with me for walks and stuff and be safe. He's taking to the carrier a whole lot better than he would've a harness- Celltei Pak-o-Bird - the high quality light-weight carrier for your birds and parrots

Another thought is how about putting a second cage (doesn't need to be as large as his inside cage) on the back patio, so he can go outside in the summer and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air? Padlock the door and dishes, and he will be in a safe, secure environment outdoors. Just so long as you're home to check in on him, he could be out in a cage 'all' day if he likes it out there with no worries about him escaping or predators.

I've read your Pak-O-Bird posts and looks like a really great idea. Very nicely done with the custom inlay! I've seen some very touch accepting Amazon's on youtube, but they all seem to be in the range of 15+ years old.

We sit the other flock members out side, but the teil homes are a bit smaller than Specs!

Unfortunately we don't have a deck, just a screened in porch and a brick patio on the ground. Not sure if I'd let him down as we live in the city and a lot of critters like to come out at night

Also does anyone know of any good bird proof glasses? He Specs seems to love my specs... I try not to let him chew on them, he's leaving the lens part alone but my lord! The temple covers are getting a beating!

However, today I must be one of the flock as I've not shaved for a few days (Its the weekend, I'm allowed ), and he's started to clean my scruff. At first was a bit nervous but he's sitting here for the past 10 minutes trying to clean my hair and the scruff!

As always, thanks for the info! Still reading and poking about the forums hah.