New Amazon

Hello everyone, I am Jo and I just adopted Buddy, they tell me he is a blue nape, about 5 years old. I haven't had him more then 24 hours at this point. I have had other birds in the past (Cockatoos and 'tiels, Maccaws, Indian Ring Neck). Buddy is my first Amazon, and I haven't been a bird mom in over 5 years.

Buddy was a rescue, he was owned by a older woman who left him alone in the dark back room, with only an dog for company. The man who we got him from was trying to re-tame him, but his Grey wasn't liking it, and Buddy prefers women as far as we can tell. So now I have him.

I am so happy I found this forum, I know Buddy will take time to learn to trust us, but I he is so worth it. Any tips and advice is greatly welcomed. We are introducing him to fresh fruits and veggies (he was fed only seed before) .

Also, I had never heard of a blue nape, I read that it was a double yellow headed mutation? He doesn't have much blue, but more than pictures of the double yellow.

Also, thoughts on renaming? He doesn't say Buddy at all, and doesn't seem to respond to his name vs a saying 'baby' or 'pretty boy'

Here is the pic

That is a Blue Fronted Amazon...

Blue Nape... you've never heard of it because it probably doesn't exist. Unless there is some breeder out there cross breeding blue fronts and yellow napes that I don't know about... the person who had this bird just didn't know what she had. Or someone sold it to her, and gave her bad information.

Blue Front Amazon Parrot

Welcome to the forum, Jo, and THANK YOU for giving Buddy a chance at happiness.

Buddy is a Blue Fronted Amazon, and a very beautiful one! There is such a thing as a "Blue Yellow Nape", but that's a rather rare mutation, which is not only very hard to come by, but it also required quite deep pockets.

Folks have mixed feelings about renaming rescue pets. IMO you should name him whatever you like best, and whatever suits him best, especially if he doesn't associate himself with his name.

Since Buddy is a brand new family member, I'd take things slow with him. Let him get used to his new home. New surroundings, new people, new sights and sounds. Amazons are incredibly hardy and most adjust fairly quickly.

Welcome to the wonderful world of amazons As has already been pointed out, Buddy is a blue front (no question there). There are 2 subspecies of blue fronts, and he appears to be a possible mix of those 2 (A. a. aestiva and A. a. xanthopteryx), but his size and blue makes me think he has quite a bit of A. a. aestiva.

More info on blue fronts- Blue Front Amazons

When we rescued our BFA, we kept his name "in case" he recognized it. In hindsight, I would have probably changed it. Too little too late at this point for us, but since yours doesn't know his name, I see no reason not to rename him (and now would be the time if you's like to do that).

Thanks everyone for the info! Blue fronted makes a lot more sence to me. The man who had him for about 3 months meant very well, and has a beautiful Grey, but he didn't know much about Buddy or the breed. And he was feeding him captain crunch cereal every morning

I know I wanted a older bird (not a baby), and was so happy to find one that needed a home.

We are still debating the name change. I think Buddy will still be a nickname even if we change it, but as we get to know him better and his personality another name may present itself.

We have been listening to music this morning, as it seems to keep him happy and calm and he LOVES the easy classic rock, the Eagles he gets really still and looks so content. Then he dances with the more pop music, bobbing his head and swaying back and forth

He isn't holding tame yet. He will take food from me, but won't step up. Anyone know where I can find out the best way to go about getting him back to that point? He was hand fed, and he would lift a foot and grab the guy's finger, but then would try to bite him. The last owner was bit hard once and then stopped trying.

Hi and welcome as was already said your new friend is a blue front amazon. This is a blue mutation yellow nape, one of my DREAM birds if only I had 13k to spare!

If he was not handled for a long time there is a very good chance he has become cage bound. I would give him a few days to get used to being in a new place. Talk to him, play music as you have been, amazons love music. In a few days see if he will step up to a stick/perch before trying it with your hand. The best thing is if he will step up onto a stick is to take him into a room where he can't see his cage. Have you gotten a play stand for him yet? There you could work with giving him treats and just acclimate him to not only being away from his cage but some much deserved and long over due freedom. That's where I would start. Good luck and keep us posted.

labell said:

Hi and welcome as was already said your new friend is a blue front amazon. This is a blue mutation yellow nape, one of my DREAM birds if only I had 13k to spare!

Click to expand...

Rachel had one of those... Got it from Howard.

They asked me to take him, but I just couldn't...

He was going room to room looking for her, calling her name.

I just couldn't deal with that emotionally at the time.

He ended up going to Suzanne...

Birdman666 said:

That is a Blue Fronted Amazon...

Blue Nape... you've never heard of it because it probably doesn't exist. Unless there is some breeder out there cross breeding blue fronts and yellow napes that I don't know about... the person who had this bird just didn't know what she had. Or someone sold it to her, and gave her bad information.

Blue Front Amazon Parrot

Click to expand...

I was just going to say that as well, it's a Blue front. Have one here sitting on my shoulder as I type.

Birdman666 said:

labell said:

Hi and welcome as was already said your new friend is a blue front amazon. This is a blue mutation yellow nape, one of my DREAM birds if only I had 13k to spare!

Click to expand...

Rachel had one of those... Got it from Howard.

They asked me to take him, but I just couldn't...

He was going room to room looking for her, calling her name.

I just couldn't deal with that emotionally at the time.

He ended up going to Suzanne...

Click to expand...

Ohhh....My .....word....I have never seen one of those around, didn't think they actually existed. That's truly a beautiful bird. I'd slap 13 K down for one of those...Seriously!!!! Awesome looking bird!

That is a beautiful bird! Yeah we did buy Buddy, or traded for him. Mostly because the guy who tried to rescue him spent money on a better cage, took him to the vet for a wellness check etc.

He is sitting on top of his cage right now, preening and content. I do not have a play perch for him yet, but that is on the list. I will give him some more time before we try to hold him, and take him into another room (thanks for that reminder, I knew that way back when, but had forgotten). He is pretty quiet for now, all he says is "hurry up" and makes the typical cooing and almost purring sounds that I have heard Amazons do.