New Amazon Owner

Hi everyone,
I've spent a lot of time reading everyone's questions and posts.
I recently acquired a Red-Lored Amazon (Corkie- see Avatar picture) from a family who has been going through a divorce and could no longer care for the bird.
He/she is about 8 years old. Previous owner said he was bred and hatched locally in our city. When I took him home he looked very dull and dusty. I have been spraying him with a preening oil product and he just loves it and is starting to show his true colors. He also gets a pellet diet and fresh random fruits and veggies daily.
I have not tried to handle him yet since he doesnt know who I am but he lets me put my arms into the cage to clean, move new toys and give him treats. He likes the company I provide and calls out if I leave his sight. He chatters well with the lovebird and myself.
I have order the "Parrots for Dummies" book since a lot of you have recommended it.
A few questions:
- no band on the bird- big deal or not?
- sneezing- I can hear him sneeze. Im in the process of looking for a local avian veterinarian just to have a checkup but I am wondering what could cause it?
Other than that, I am looking forward to everything I can give to this little guy.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Roza & Corkie

Your new friend sounds lovely! Most birds sneeze so I don't think its a problem unless he does it a lot or its accompanied by other symptoms/breathing problems (nasal discharge, tail bobbing when he breathes, wheezing sounds, lethargy etc). You should double check with the vet to be sure, though, of course. Sounds like you are doing well with him!

I don't think the band is a big deal. Some breeders don't band their birds and I know that my parrotlet hated hers and chewed it off in a few years. I imagine an amazon with a much bigger beak could do the same if he were so inclined.

I wouldn't worry about the sneezing...it's probably due to the showers that he hasn't been used to having. Fred usually sneezes at shower time.
He sounds like a sweetie!

Congrats on your new addition! I second everyones comments on sneezing. Ozzy sneezes occasionally and my vet has said he is in fine health so I think its just cleaning out their nostrils from dust/water etc.

Corkie looks very cute!! Welcome to the world of Amazons

Thats so great you got a pet amazon. The band is no big deal. The bands are basically just for the breeders records. I have a pet amazon and they are a lot of fun.

Welcome and congratulations.

I would take him to an Avian Vet as soon as you can since you have another bird.

Congratulations on your new buddy! I agree with what everybody else has said about the sneezing (probably from being dusty or from the showers), but don't really know about the band (but if he doesn't have one there's really nothing you can do about it, so I wouldn't sweat it). I hope you spend many wonderful years with your new companion. I love amazons and all the red loreds I have encountered have been particularly lovely and it sounds like Corkie is no exception.

I recently got an Amazon also. When I first got her home she was sneezing quite a bit, but now she seems fine!

I'm used to birds with black beaks and nostrils, so when I see that hers are very pink I worry that she has allergies..lol...I do believe I only think that because I'm not used to the pink! lol

-Christine

Amazons are on my wish list of birds, Blue front, Yellow Nape & red head. But the problem is, to many birds, not enough time.