Amazons 20 y/o+

Kiwibird

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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Kinda curious, around what age do they slow down with playing like toddlers hopped up on caffeine and crack? Seriously, I know juvenile amazons are quite rambunctious but Kiwi is around 19/20 now (hardly a young bird anymore) and he STILL acts rambunctious all the time when playing. Today he was flopping about with a rope toy on a forked branch acting like he was under the influence of some kind of hardcore drug. Absolutely hilarious but at the same time terrifying to see him dangling by one foot flailing about with a toy... He does crazy stuff on his boing too and always seems to go after his toys in the most dangerous/precarious position possible:p And I've noticed he's got progressively MORE insane/bold with how he plays the longer we've had him. My parents amazons NEVER behaved like he does! Just curious if it's normal or not? I know it's great he plays, but he's just so....voracious about it:52:
 

wrench13

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LOL, I love watching Amazons play, such reckless abandon and absolutely fearless.
 

SailBoat

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LOL, I love watching Amazons play, such reckless abandon and absolutely fearless.

Plus, add to that an Amazon that had started in a poorer state of health, add a healthy diet, creative Humans and a ton of fun stuff to play (mess) with, and you get Kiwi!!!

The oldest, health Amazon that I had known was 56, fully flighted, and was like a seven year old. So, I do not know when the healthy ones slow down. I do know, that if I had a choice, I would choose a healthy one and happily deal with the craziness than the quiet one's who's health is slipping away.
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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LOL, I love watching Amazons play, such reckless abandon and absolutely fearless.

Reckless and fearless? Sounds about right:rolleyes:
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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Plus, add to that an Amazon that had started in a poorer state of health, add a healthy diet, creative Humans and a ton of fun stuff to play (mess) with, and you get Kiwi!!!

The oldest, health Amazon that I had known was 56, fully flighted, and was like a seven year old. So, I do not know when the healthy ones slow down. I do know, that if I had a choice, I would choose a healthy one and happily deal with the craziness than the quiet one's who's health is slipping away.

Oh I love watching him mess around, don't get me wrong. The amazons I grew up with would chew up stuff, but never with the...uh...passion and insanity Kiwi displays when he plays. I thought they chilled a bit when they became more mature birds. Sometimes it is a bit disconcerting, especially as he can't fly if he falls but he seems quite sure of himself:D I hope he can be 56 and still dangling by one toe flaring his wings and attacking a toy!
 

CKP

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Today he was flopping about with a rope toy on a forked branch acting like he was under the influence of some kind of hardcore drug.

Maverick does this too!!! It is so scary but hilarious to see him attacking some unknown force on his "favorite" toy (which happens to literally be a hanging block of wood with a blue ring thing on it). You're very right, it looks like he is on drugs!!

We ended up putting it on his cage-top playden in the hopes he wouldn't endanger himself too much trying to attack it.
 

cnyguy

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My YCA George lived to be about 70 (we never knew his exact age-- he was wild-caught and had a few previous homes. He was somewhere around 30 years old when we got him, and was with us for 40 years). As he got older, he did become a little mellower, which is not to say he wasn't busy, active and vocal right up to the end. When he was about 55 years old, he started taking an afternoon nap for an hour or two, which helped him recharge for a fun evening. :D
 

LordTriggs

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I love it when birds start swinging around! It's one of the funniest things going. Not seen a Zon do it but I've seen videos of a Cockatoo and a CAG both hanging on a dangling rope from the ceiling and swinging wildly around the room. The CAG spinning round with only one leg hanging on and the Too actively flapping to swing further

I'll have to find the videos and post them up, they're brilliant
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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We can all only hope our amazons live as long and energetic of a life as George did!
 

Birdman666

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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.)
Pecker was 38 years old and the only thing that ever slowed her down was the tumor that killed her...

Most of this has to do with interaction, not age. If they get a lot of interaction, they remain lively and interactive.

If they fester in a cage, day after day, they tend to put life on auto-pilot, until something happens to take them off auto-pilot.
 

LordTriggs

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Very true Birdman and it's not just our feathered friends that this applies to. Every single creature will keep going strong including us humans! Look at those 90 year old's you see who still enjoy life!
 

mh434

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Today he was flopping about with a rope toy on a forked branch acting like he was under the influence of some kind of hardcore drug. Absolutely hilarious but at the same time terrifying to see him dangling by one foot flailing about with a toy...
Sammy does this, too...when he's feeling, um, "amorous". I've noticed that when he does that particular activity, he's actually acting like he's mating with the toy.:27:

In Sammy's case, the toy is a large hanging bunch of wood blocks, soft cotton rope ends, etc.

It's interesting to note that, of all those who have posted about this in this thread, they all seem to have male 'Zons...coincidence? I don't think so...
 
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Robcan

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My YCA George lived to be about 70 (we never knew his exact age-- he was wild-caught and had a few previous homes. He was somewhere around 30 years old when we got him, and was with us for 40 years). As he got older, he did become a little mellower, which is not to say he wasn't busy, active and vocal right up to the end. When he was about 55 years old, he started taking an afternoon nap for an hour or two, which helped him recharge for a fun evening. :D

That's amazing, do you have any posts on your George? I just became the owner of a BFA who I believe to be over the age of 30. He too is active.
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
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Sammy does this, too...when he's feeling, um, "amorous". I've noticed that when he does that particular activity, he's actually acting like he's mating with the toy.:27:

In Sammy's case, the toy is a large hanging bunch of wood blocks, soft cotton rope ends, etc.

It's interesting to note that, of all those who have posted about this in this thread, they all seem to have male 'Zons...coincidence? I don't think so...

When Kiwi was younger and at the peak of his hormones, he did try to mate with things (and on occasion, peoples heads:34:). He humped stuff and grunted when he was in those moods and was much more...aggressive about his "affections":eek:. I don't think this is a sexual thing, more of a goofy/playful action.

It is interesting most of the respondents have males, but I've noticed in general a greater number of owners who regularly post with males than females on this forum for some reason.
 

SailBoat

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Over the years, the Amazons that have owned our home, I have no memories of the females being any less active than the males. As far as personalities, the ladies have been a bit sweeter, but not less amorous when in their moods. When an Amazon came to us, the sex was never the qualifier, it was never part of the discussion.

My happiest memories are those when any of our Amazons had a successful gain over their health problems and with full voice expressed their Joy of Live! It is likely why I so enjoy a vocal Amazon!

By pure happenstance, we currently have a male and during his ownership, I happened to find Parrot Forums. So, one could conclude that he in fact (as with the other male Amazons) found Parrot Forums and mind-directed us Humans to this Board! :D;)

Yup, that's it and I'm sticking with it - 'mind-directed.'
 

Anita1250

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Mine does the mating thing too. Usually with a bell. He is completely addicted to bells. Kind of noisy, but quite funny. My mother used to call his Santa.
 

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