So I've decided not to get the Cuban amazon due to legal issues but I'm still interested in a amazon. Don't know which one yet or whatever is available. I just have some questions about amazon if anyone can kindly help me out so I know what to expect. So first off the noise. From your experience what is it like are they constant screamers or are do they just scream once in awhile. I wont have any issues if it's just for a brief minute or two but if it's a constant scream then every day then other people in the house might start to complain. I know each bird has its own personalities but in general what are they like. Second question is are they mostly a one person bird or are they a family bird? I'm fine if they are only bonded to me but there are times when I need to be gone for some time and I have to have someone watch them I don't want any issues. Third question is are they more cuddly or more independent? I will be happy if they are independent as long as they're not velcro birds. I plan on free flighting my amazon so they need to be somewhat of a strong flier. Has anybody try free flight a amazon? Don't worry I understand the dangers and heartbreak of free flight. That is something I'm willing to risk to have a happy and healthy bird. Any suggestions on a amazon would be nice.
What is it like living with an amazon
- Thread starter lefty13
- Start date
BirdyMomma
New member
- Aug 4, 2013
- 626
- 1
- Parrots
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Lilac Crowned Amazon (Bacci- Forever on my shoulder, forever in my heart.)
Yellow Collared Macaw (Loki the Monkey Bird)
Military Macaw (Wingnut)
Citron Crested Cockatoo
(Knuckles)
We have two Amazons. A Lilac Crowned, and a Yellow Nape.
In my experience, Amazons tend to be independent and headstrong. They can be very loving and affectionate, when THEY feel like it. If an Amazon isn't "in the mood", you need to respect that, or you will risk a serious attitude, and perhaps a bite. Same goes for stepping up, and interacting. They will test your patience, and you should never try to force them to do anything. Youll never gain their trust that way. Also, in my experience, a properly socialized, and cared for Amazon will not scream a lot. They may talk, babble, sing and carry on a bit- but you shouldn't expect quiet from any parrot.
Our Lilac is pretty much a one person bird, and prefers my boyfriend to everyone else. Our Yellow Nape likes all of us, and loves to sing and dance.
I feel like all our birds greatly benefit from the implementation of positive reinforcement and clicker training. There are people on this forum with plenty more experience with Amazons than I have. I look forward to reading their suggestions
In my experience, Amazons tend to be independent and headstrong. They can be very loving and affectionate, when THEY feel like it. If an Amazon isn't "in the mood", you need to respect that, or you will risk a serious attitude, and perhaps a bite. Same goes for stepping up, and interacting. They will test your patience, and you should never try to force them to do anything. Youll never gain their trust that way. Also, in my experience, a properly socialized, and cared for Amazon will not scream a lot. They may talk, babble, sing and carry on a bit- but you shouldn't expect quiet from any parrot.
Our Lilac is pretty much a one person bird, and prefers my boyfriend to everyone else. Our Yellow Nape likes all of us, and loves to sing and dance.
I feel like all our birds greatly benefit from the implementation of positive reinforcement and clicker training. There are people on this forum with plenty more experience with Amazons than I have. I look forward to reading their suggestions
Ninjette
New member
- Sep 10, 2014
- 94
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Red-Headed Amazon - Melon,
Jenday Conure - Halo,
Budgies - Mickey and Pluto
I'm new to Amazons too.. just got one today.. and I already feel that it's moody haha. I think it's just tired from being transferred to the bird show then to my place..
I would like to hear from more experience owners on this forum too
I would like to hear from more experience owners on this forum too
henpecked
Active member
I wish i had the time, i could write a book here. maybe i'll have more time tomorrow. I'm sure others will have much helpful insight. great group of zon parronts here.
riddick07
Well-known member
Well mine is a rescue and came to me older so he is a little strange. He doesn't like anyone else but me so it can be interesting. Kelly is a fairly slow mover expect when he is booking it to try and bite my stepfather then he moves so fast he starts tripping over his own feet in his haste for some blood. Kelly is needy like a cockatoo. He is loud when I leave a room (has some separation anxiety) but isn't screaming loud he just says hello in increasing volume. If that doesn't work he starts saying hello in different voices....if that doesn't work then the byes start....
He is fairly independent in the sense that he can be left in his cage for a day or more without any issue but if he is out then he needs to know where I am at all times. He doesn't do mood swings really but most amazons do have those problems. He did displacement bite until I made it clear that I would toss him outside to fend for himself if he kept it up... really all I had to do was drop him wherever I was and leave the room. Picked up real fast that the biting was a bad idea. He makes all kinds of sounds when he is in a bloodlust mood, i.e. my stepfather entered the room, or when excited.
Kelly is a real cuddle bird with me and I have pictures of him sleeping on his side on my chest. Just tonight he was sitting on my chest watching what I was doing on the computer while dozing off at moments or demanding head scratches.
He is fairly independent in the sense that he can be left in his cage for a day or more without any issue but if he is out then he needs to know where I am at all times. He doesn't do mood swings really but most amazons do have those problems. He did displacement bite until I made it clear that I would toss him outside to fend for himself if he kept it up... really all I had to do was drop him wherever I was and leave the room. Picked up real fast that the biting was a bad idea. He makes all kinds of sounds when he is in a bloodlust mood, i.e. my stepfather entered the room, or when excited.
Kelly is a real cuddle bird with me and I have pictures of him sleeping on his side on my chest. Just tonight he was sitting on my chest watching what I was doing on the computer while dozing off at moments or demanding head scratches.
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ErichT
New member
Well any thought I had of getting just went out the window. 1 Teenage daughter at a time is enough for me
See, I think Amazons are more like toddlers than teenagers. Generally sweet, but on their own terms. If tired or hungry, they get grumpy. A bit skittish.
But that's my Amazon, and she's timid and pretty easy. She can be loud, but chooses not to be most of the time.
But that's my Amazon, and she's timid and pretty easy. She can be loud, but chooses not to be most of the time.
ImmunoGoblin
New member
- Mar 5, 2014
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Tater Tot - DYH Amazon
Kiwi - Orange-winged Amazon
Biscuit - Young-ish cockatiel
It definitely depends on the individual bird, too. We have a young DYH who is VERY bonded to my partner and tolerates me and everyone else. He is funny, a good talker, and easily trained. My slightly older OWA (3 years) is more of an "everybody's bird" - he likes to be held and loves head scratches. He's very gentle with kids.
Both of them are LOUD. When I turn up the music to clean, they have screaming loud dance parties.
Both of them are LOUD. When I turn up the music to clean, they have screaming loud dance parties.
- Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /
RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
My first bird was a Blue Fronted Amazon purchased from a pet shop about 27 years ago. Gonzo was the sweetest and most cuddly pet until he likely reached maturity roughly 2 years later. Bang - his disposition changed almost overnight and that mild mannered eager-to-please bird became an insatiable biter. Fingers, the jugular, etc. I cringe when remembering how trusting we both were in the beginning! We got him a female mate and he proceeded to take his aggressions out, and they were separated. Attempts to tame him were unsuccessful, so we had a choice - rehoming or maintaining him in a large cage filled with toys and hope he would be happy with other birds nearby, companionship, and healthy nutritious food. As you might imagine, I've learned a lot in the intervening years and would have been more assertive in seeking external and hopefully expert behavioral help. Over time, our need for avian companionship has been best served with additional birds, mostly cockatoos. Were I to start over, my entire flock would be mostly Goffin Cockatoos. Meanwhile, Gonzo has his forever home and he seems to enjoy the company of various birds perching atop his cage - they often get close and do a bit of reciprocal grooming. As others have posted, Amazons are terrific talkers; Gonzo has a wide vocabulary and strings words together in meaningful ways, and sings.
Birdman666
Well-known member
- Sep 18, 2013
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF ZON, AND TIME OF YEAR....
Generally I find them to be easy birds. They can be hormonally challenged during breeding season. The males get territorial and defensive, and the females get a bit needy and clingy.
The rest of the time? They are content to just hang out and play.
Get them too wound up? Amazon overload is real. They get worked into a state.
So is the "Amazon crush" thing. When they love, they love completely.
They can be jealous birds...
Generally I find them to be easy birds. They can be hormonally challenged during breeding season. The males get territorial and defensive, and the females get a bit needy and clingy.
The rest of the time? They are content to just hang out and play.
Get them too wound up? Amazon overload is real. They get worked into a state.
So is the "Amazon crush" thing. When they love, they love completely.
They can be jealous birds...
Kiwibird
Well-known member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 9,539
- 111
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- 1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Most of the year our BFA is like a toddler- curious to the point of naughtiness and wants to stick his nose in EVERYTHING (and also wants everything you have). We put a lot of effort and time into training him, so he is very well behaved most of the time (not loud, don't bite, isn't destructive ext..), just sometimes inquisitive to the point of being a pain (what's that your doing? taking out the vacuum?! I want to sit on the vacuum! What, you want to use the vacuum now? Stay away from my perching spot *lunges and hisses*!:52: -OR- Oh, your doing dishes, Kiwi likes dishes, here let me climb up on the dish rack and fling all the cutlery and lids and drop any little thing I can pick up all over). Ya, curious and adorable but a total PITA sometimes. But he has LEARNED to entertain himself too. If I need to focus on something for a few hours, he keeps himself busy with toys and foraging or naps or whatever he does besides being loud and irritating. In general, amazons aren't AS attention needy as other birds (still need attention, just aren't typically velcro birds).
Then in the spring, the hormone gremlins steal away my normally sweet bird and replace him with his evil twin No joke, the fangs sprout, horns grow, tail forks a bit and all training flies out the window:11: Actually, as he gets older, his hormones have calmed down a lot, but amazons ARE prone to bad hormonal behavior (no matter how much they normally love you and how well behaved they normally are). How YOU deal with it will translate into whether the aggression and defiance is a few weeks a year that they can't really help thing or becomes a behavioral trait because you have unintentionally reinforced the behavior or are absolutely terrified of them.
. But he has LEARNED to entertain himself too. If I need to focus on something for a few hours, he keeps himself busy with toys and foraging or naps or whatever he does besides being loud and irritating. In general, amazons aren't AS attention needy as other birds (still need attention, just aren't typically velcro birds).Then in the spring, the hormone gremlins steal away my normally sweet bird and replace him with his evil twin
No joke, the fangs sprout, horns grow, tail forks a bit and all training flies out the window:11: Actually, as he gets older, his hormones have calmed down a lot, but amazons ARE prone to bad hormonal behavior (no matter how much they normally love you and how well behaved they normally are). How YOU deal with it will translate into whether the aggression and defiance is a few weeks a year that they can't really help thing or becomes a behavioral trait because you have unintentionally reinforced the behavior or are absolutely terrified of them.
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Birdman666
Well-known member
- Sep 18, 2013
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Then in the spring, the hormone gremlins steal away my normally sweet bird and replace him with his evil twin
The "hormonally challenged years" tend to be when the bird is younger. By the time they reach their mid teens they tend to be significantly better. It tends to be more prounounced in the so-called Hot 3 amazons (DYH, BFA, YNA) simply because they have a longer breeding season.
It tends to be less pronounced in the mellower birds (Panama's, Lilac Crowned, Mealey, RLA) though all these birds are unique individuals...
There are things you can do when they are acting hormonal that lessen it. (Getting them out and away from their territory more often helps reduce territorial behaviors. Socializing them with other people tends to lessen the Jealous bird issues.)
Knowing how to handle them, and when to just leave them alone is key, as is learning what amazon body language means.
Ninjette
New member
- Sep 10, 2014
- 94
- 0
- Parrots
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Red-Headed Amazon - Melon,
Jenday Conure - Halo,
Budgies - Mickey and Pluto
Birdman666
Well-known member
- Sep 18, 2013
- 9,904
- 258
- Parrots
-
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Time of day doesn't matter. Time of YEAR sometimes matters...
Amazons communicate with body language. You'll know when they don't want to be handled. It will be clear as can be...
Mine generally play on their own. These are not like macaws. They are generally not lap birds. Which is not to say they don't get handled and like scratches and all that...
It's just that if you get an amazon wound up playing, they go into overload mode, get worked into a state, and then tend to not control their bite pressure.
They "play" with people the same way they play with their toys, i.e. they "attack" them! So, no, you don't want to go THERE with a zon.
Handle them when they are calm, and don't overload them when you are handling them.
Amazons communicate with body language. You'll know when they don't want to be handled. It will be clear as can be...
Mine generally play on their own. These are not like macaws. They are generally not lap birds. Which is not to say they don't get handled and like scratches and all that...
It's just that if you get an amazon wound up playing, they go into overload mode, get worked into a state, and then tend to not control their bite pressure.
They "play" with people the same way they play with their toys, i.e. they "attack" them! So, no, you don't want to go THERE with a zon.
Handle them when they are calm, and don't overload them when you are handling them.
Kiwibird
Well-known member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 9,539
- 111
- Parrots
- 1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
An amazon who does NOT want to be messed with may lunge (act as though they are about to bite), pin their eyes (watch those eyes!), flare out their tail and slightly open their wings in an aggressive manner. It's pretty clear they are an animal who doesn't want to be messed with. This kind of behavior is more common during the mating season, but sometimes they are just in a foul mood for no good reason. IMO amazons should be trained to step up on a stick as well as a hand. This gives you more control and confidence to be able to safely handle a upset bird, as well as helps not break trust on either side.
Ninjette
New member
- Sep 10, 2014
- 94
- 0
- Parrots
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Red-Headed Amazon - Melon,
Jenday Conure - Halo,
Budgies - Mickey and Pluto
I let him out of the cage, and he went to the floor.. so I made him step up to get to where he wanted to. he flew to the top of the cage
got bitten a few times tho.. he was out for almost an hour.. so I let him go back in.. he is playing with the swing now..seems happier..i have blue heded amazon parrot she is 20 years old she has been nothing but a breeder for these years i just got her i want to to know what treats to use for her to get her to eat out of your hand if i get close she flys i read the signs to look for when they are in the not so good mood she is starting to say hello i am in the training phase i would like to know how eerybody done theres any ideas is help ful thank you lisa
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