Hello (my Amazon’s favorite word) parrot friends!

I am new to this forum but not new to parrot ownership. I have a blue fronted Amazon who is 6 years old. We got him when he was 12 weeks old. Up until this past year he would talk up a storm and play endlessly with his toys. Now all he wants is to beg for food. I have had blood work done on him and he is healthy. I’ve tried new toys as he won’t even touch his favorites. He begs for food anytime he sees me eating or preparing food. I have foraging toys and he will ravenously go after them to get his crunchies out. I miss the bird who used to lay on his back and shake his toys for hours. Has anyone had this problem with their Amazon? Any suggestions as to how to inspire him to play more and stop begging for food?

Welcome.

6 years old? Sounds like your little buddy is the right age for the onset of puberty. I'm surprised your avian vet didn't discuss this with you at your checkup. Parrots can have some pretty pronounced behavioral changes at this age, especially male "hot 3" amazons. Basically, your bird is now a "teenager" and for the next few years, you'll probably notice him acting a bit off, possibly a bit aggressive and at some point will likely begin sexual displays. Puberty (onset of hormones and sexual maturation) for amazons lasts a few years before peaking then slowly tapering off as they become a mature adult parrot and settle into a once a year hormonal cycle (which typically lasts a few weeks in late winter/early spring). It will likely get worse before it gets better. Every parrot owner goes through this at some point if they buy a bird as a juvenile and it is perfectly natural for the bird (and requires us humans to really be patient and understanding of our feathered friends). Some things you can do to help:

-Less high sugar fruit and fatty foods, more low sugar vegetables
-A consistent 12 hour sleep/wake cycle and a dark cover for the cage or the bird sleeps in a darkened room
-Ignoring sexual displays. You aren't going to be your birds mate, so there is no need to encourage them to continue propositioning you
-Stick training and a firm understanding of amazon body language. If your bird is feeling hormonal and aggressive, let him ride on a stick instead of your hand or shoulder and prevent a bite
-Understanding if your bird does bite you. Hormones make any creature lash out
- Keep reminding yourself in a couple years he will start getting back to normal again and this is just a phase in the VERY long lifespan of an amazon. You'll have MANY more years with him after puberty where he's back to being a playful, adorable companion

P.S. We adopted our BFA when he was at the height of puberty (the most common time for a parrot to be rehomed the first time) and it was hard, but he slowly came out of it and is a real sweetheart. Oh, he still plays like a young bird at 19 years old and it is super adorable to watch him get his toys Still demands food and insists upon us sharing ours with him (if it's bird safe we do), but I think most grown men have a hearty appetite, avian or otherwise

Kiwibird is spot on....time will heal all puncture wounds. Great to have you with us. And...we loves us some pictures!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to the forums! I too bet your Amazon is chugging through a life phase. Patience, love, and continuing to engage will see you through to a continued wonderful relationship!

Welcome to Parrot Forums!!!

Please take the time to read the two Threads at the Top of the Amazon Forum. They are easy to locate as they are highlighted in light blue and are always at the top of each page in the Amazon Forum.

The first Thread provides excellent knowledge in understand Amazon Body Language. At this point, it makes perfect sense for you to freshen-up if you have read that Thread in the past. The second Thread will provide a life time of knowledge of Loving and Living with Amazons. It is a Huge Thread with well-over 30 segments.

As stated above by Kiwi's Mom, I am also surprised that your Avian Vet did not speak with you about the age of your Amazon and the likely onset of puberty.

The Amazon Forum is full of information packed into the vast number of Threads and responding Posts. Take the time to read when you have time!

Again, welcome to Parrot Forums and just as important the Amazon Forum where Amazon's Rule!