Bird Identification

[tastakelin]

I am looking at a parrot to purchase from a private owner. I don't know much about parrots. He is advertised as a yellow nape amazon. His markings do not match what a yellow nape looks like when I look it up online. Can anyone tell me what he type he looks like? He looks closest to a double-yellow headed accept his beak is darker.
Thanks!

 

[Spiritbird]

Be advised before you jump into parrot guardianship you should read up on what it takes. The book I really got some good info from is called Parrots for Dummies. It takes time and devotion and patience. There are extensive nutritional complexities and health check ups. I am not trying to talk you out of this but you said you did not know much about parrots. They are wonderful little feathered treasures. Why is the bird being sold from the private owner? Good Luck and you did good by coming to this forum as we have many parrot wise members.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Hard to tell from that picture (and I'm not very good at IDing amazons to start with) but it looks like an Orange-Wing to me. The head coloration can varying between individuals - he seems to have a bit more yellow than your 'average' or 'standard' orange wing, but that's still my bet.

 

[TexDot33]

That looks like a Blue Front Amazon to me ... on the Amazon scale BFA are not AS BAD, in fact, either a BFA or a Red-Lored would be my personal choice ...

Amazons are great birds, for the right handler - please understand what you are getting into with Amazons, and honestly, that one looks HUGE - like KING of the AMAZON ...

 

[antoinette]

Glad to hear you are doing some research before becoming a guardian to a bird.
They require a lot of love and attention. Basically like having a small child 24/7.
Extremely difficult to identify the bird from the picture. Do you have any idea how old he is, and the reason why the owner wants to part with the bird?
Keep us updated

 

[HRH Di]

Wow, he does look huge! Definitely do research and make sure a parrot fits your lifestyle then find the right personality. Seems that you're on the right track. Good luck.

 

[birdcrazy]

Hi and welcome! First off Spirit Bird mentioned a book parrots for dummies.... don't let the title offend you I've had this book for years and frequently refer to it. It's full of information in an easy to read form.
And secondly try to handle the bird and other amazons before making any decision. They definitly have destinct characteristics. I've handled cockatoos and macaws, but amazons terrify me. Make sure you can be confident around the bird before bringing him home.

 

[parrotqueen]

Looks like a blue-fronted amazon to me, they certainly are beautiful birds.

Amazons are particularly smart birds, and excellent talkers. They aren't the most affectionate of all birds, but very interactive. They are pretty good at entertaining themselves for a pretty good amount of time, and enjoy lots of destructible toys; thus making them less likely to pluck their feathers. They need plenty of execise, and a decent sized cage. They love to learn new things, and require lots of interaction to be well stimulated.

As far as food goes, watch the fat for this species. Avoid too many sunflower seeds, and seeds and nuts should not be the base of the diet. Supply plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and pellets can be added to some seed mix. Calcium is very important to Blue fronts, but DO NOT supply grit for your bird. You will have to weigh your bird often, to make sure that there isn't any overeating. Obesity is one of the more common problems with amazons.

This is a lot to remember, and there is probably more that I'm missing. It is always worth it in the end, but you need to take to consideration the many important basics to remember. A well kept bird can live up to 40 to 80 years!

Hope this helps!

 

[tastakelin]

Thank you all for your responses. We determined him to be a blue fronted amazon as well. Although he doesn't have much blue. We ended up buying him and so far so good. He was a little nippy (ouch!) both times we went to visit him. He was on his owners shoulder and would bite when my husband and I put out our fingers I fell in love with his personality though. Every time he nipped, he would laugh hysterically.
The owner aquired the bird after his mother died. She had raised him from a baby and had hand fed him. He is a male and he is 5 years old.
Since we brought him home we have purchased him a larger cage (about 5ft tall with the stand, 4ft living space) and lots of toys. We had met a very knowledgeable 'bird person' at a local exotic pets shop during our bird search. She helped us pick out perches and toys. We showed her what he is currently eating (which has no sunflower seeds in it) and she said it looked like a healthy diet. She put together a dried fruit, pellet and seed mix for us. We are going to start incorporating some fresh fruit and veggies this weekend.
He began to warm up to my husband and I both almost immediately. We had him on our shoulders about an hour after we brought him home. He has fit into our family well. We have a cat and dog. The dog barked at him, but it didn't scare him at all. We put a sheet over the cage while the dog and cat sniffed it and the bird (tentively named Julio) climed down, peeked under the sheet and said 'hello'. He continues to say new things everyday. Unfortunately, this morning he began barking back at the dog!
I have more pictures of him. I'll upload them and post them.
Thanks everyone again for your advice. Anything that you guys can tell me about is appreciated!

 

[Spiritbird]

Sounds like you are off and running with a very good start. Have fun and enjoy the critters.

 

[parrotqueen]

I'm glad that all is well, hope you have a great time with Julio!