Identify this Amazon?

[Rozalka]

I've seen pictures of a similar red colour mutation of a blue front
Red Color Mutation of the Blue-fronted Amazon | Voren's Aviaries Inc

I read this article and there is this sentece: This new color mutation’s unique characteristics are created by the production of red pigments which change the yellows to pinks and greens to browns. The forehead of 'our' parrot is lighter than red on the wings, so I think there is yellow in a natural colour. The yellow crowned amazon has got a dark beak, in the photo it is pale (this mutation doesn't change dark) so in my opinon it may be DYH.

 

[EllenD]

The two photos are close...the first thing that I thought when I saw him was that he looked almost not like an Amazon at all, but rather a Cape Parrot of some sort...

Even I thought of Poicephalus, considering the overall grey tone. But the red on the shoulder ? Do any Poicephalus have red on the shoulder? The skull structure resembles an Amazon but the face does not.

Anyways, I prefer Wild type colorations to man made color mutations in most species of parrots. Only exceptions being Budgies (again not all mutations), Cockatiels, Indian Ringnecks and Peach faced lovebirds.

Yes, the Cape Parrots do. If you do a Google Image search for "Cape Parrot Mutations", you'll see very similar coloring to this parrot...

It's this bird's face that keeps me going back to Cape Parrot...Now Cape Parrots are much, much larger than any of the other Poicephalus species, they are definitely the size of a lot of the small/medium size Amazons. I mean, we're talking at least 5x the size of a Senegal, Meyers, Jardine, etc. I know someone who has both a Senegal and a Cape Parrot, and when they sit side-by-side on their stand, the Senegal looks like a Budgie!

 

[Kiwibird]

Yes, the Cape Parrots do. If you do a Google Image search for "Cape Parrot Mutations", you'll see very similar coloring to this parrot...

It's this bird's face that keeps me going back to Cape Parrot...Now Cape Parrots are much, much larger than any of the other Poicephalus species, they are definitely the size of a lot of the small/medium size Amazons. I mean, we're talking at least 5x the size of a Senegal, Meyers, Jardine, etc. I know someone who has both a Senegal and a Cape Parrot, and when they sit side-by-side on their stand, the Senegal looks like a Budgie!

You know what I just noticed that may point to you being right? The ring around the birds eye just isn't amazon-like. Too big, I think. But the beak is very amazon like...

 

[MonicaMc]

Considering that cape parrots come from Africa and Amazons from South America, I do not believe a cape hybrid is likely. They (capes) are more likely to hybridize with an african grey than an amazon.

His name is Tango, owned by Tina. Vet thinks Tango is a Yellow Headed Amazon. (of some sort) He was adopted in 2015.

Since Tango's coloration has remained the same and has, so far, to my knowledge, checked out healthy at the vets, it seems that Tango is quite possibly a mutation amazon. Hybrids would not look like that.


Here's some peoples speculations on Tango.



Judy Looks like it is a pianist (pionus), maybe bronzewing.

Allison I think it might be a pionus/white front amazon hybrid.
My guess is bronze wing/white front amazon

I said that Tango didn't look like a pionus x amazon hybrid, but I've also never seen a pionus x amazon hybrid. *IF* an amazon would hybridize outside of it's species, my first guess *WAS* pionus x amazon, since they are quite similar, come from the same country... but first? Conure x amazon!!! If anything, looks more like red suffusion (but I kind of have my doubts there) Direct reply to that...

Roelant Pionus x Amazon would be a first indeed. Pionus maximiliani x Amazona albifrons perhaps? Red suffused albifrons?
Any pictures of it's tail: front and back?​

Robin Closest looking species would be St. Vincent amazon, but it could just be the wetness doing that.

Judy I think bronze wing! White cap. Definitely pionus in there!

Roelant No red Alula in Pionus.
​

Kris Not a pionus....it's a red suffused Amazon!

Matthew M Do you have their contact info. I'm in Canada I would like to check out this bird in person if they are nearby. (Matt is a breeder in Ontario - too far away)

Tony This coloration is often seen in old Panama and Yellow-crowned amazons that have liver issues. I have photos of several birds and many years ago Scott McDonald looked at one from a clinical point of view and realized that the color changes were health related.


Daema I was also going to say possibly liver damage. I'd run some blood panels just to be safe. Liver damage can cause discolored feathers, such as red or yellow coloration where it shouldn't be.
Also, Pionus and Amazons are two entirely different genus, they can't hybridize. Just like how a Macaw and Cockatoo can never hybridize naturally.

Myself Guess a good question may be...
How do we tell the difference between "chocolate raspberry" (disregarding species) and red suffusion on an unknown bird?
The red suffusion I've seen doesn't come with blue hues. This amazon is *very* blue! That's what's confusing me!
Agreed though on species family. I *want* to lean towards other species, but that beak... just wrong shape/size and color for those other species.

Tony The plumage structure is key in identifying these clinical birds. The feathers have a curled like shape for one.


Tony has pictures of a few amazons with similar coloration in his FB album....
Mutation and Rare Parrots from Around the World | Facebook



David I have photos of this bird when it was advertised last a couple of years back. I contacted them and explained that most likely the bird has a nutritional deficiency which caused this poor colouration. They did not accept my assessment as they were advertising it as a one of a kind rare mutation and wanted a ludicrous amount for it ...

 

[parrotbob]

So just to reinvigorate this topic, our shelter received this bird yesterday.

We have narrowed it down to a Blue Front or Yellow Nape -- leaning toward yellow nape because of the coloration of the beak and the fact that he is 504 grams, bigger than the typical bluefront (and not presenting as overweight).

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

So just to reinvigorate this topic, our shelter received this bird yesterday.

We have narrowed it down to a Blue Front or Yellow Nape -- leaning toward yellow nape because of the coloration of the beak and the fact that he is 504 grams, bigger than the typical bluefront (and not presenting as overweight).

Amy weighs in at 517g's...heaviest he has ever been is 548
That is a beautiful bird btw!

Jim

 

[chris-md]

What a handsome bird, parrotbob! Definitely not yellow naped amazon. Head is all wrong for it, as are the eyes. I’d even question Amazon altogether.

The feathers around the neck scream poicephalus to me. But I doubt that also. The eyes are gonna be key - those are almost conure eyes. But I’ve got nothing.

 

[Cyno]

Not sure if I'm right or not but check out St Vincent amazons, they look quite similar.

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[Terry57]

So just to reinvigorate this topic, our shelter received this bird yesterday.

We have narrowed it down to a Blue Front or Yellow Nape -- leaning toward yellow nape because of the coloration of the beak and the fact that he is 504 grams, bigger than the typical bluefront (and not presenting as overweight).

What a beauty!
I saw your post on FB and thought of this thread. I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Rozalka]

Not sure if I'm right or not but check out St Vincent amazons, they look quite similar.

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It's not a St. Vincent Amozon.
I don't have any ideas what is the species bur it's a red factor mutation like Tango from the first post. I looked on photos of mentioning species and from them eventually can be young YNA but somebody said it can't be... I always looking on the photos try to "change" (in my mind) their "normal" color this way:
green--> brown
blue is still blue
red is still red
yellow--> pink
I write this because maybe it will help you in your suggestions (I "descriped" how natural color is changed to red mutation)

 

[Cardinal]

What a handsome bird, parrotbob! Definitely not yellow naped amazon. Head is all wrong for it, as are the eyes. I’d even question Amazon altogether.

The feathers around the neck scream poicephalus to me. But I doubt that also. The eyes are gonna be key - those are almost conure eyes. But I’ve got nothing.

I don't know on what basis you say this. To me It looks like most like an Yellow Naped Amazon whose feathers have been painted in a bizarre combination of colours.

 

[chris-md]

Cardinal, on the basis of the reasons you just quoted on my post.

 

[Rozalka]

The eyes are gonna be key - those are almost conure eyes.

conures have long tails, this parrot has short. I'm sure it's amazon but don't know which species...

 

[chris-md]

I was only comparing them to conures, I don’t think it is one. Big bald patch around the eye.

 

[MonicaMc]

The second bird is, without a doubt, an amazon. As to species? That could be a tough one... maybe even mealy?

 

[Rozalka]

The second bird is, without a doubt, an amazon. As to species? That could be a tough one... maybe even mealy?

Somebody said it is a yellow headed amazon

 

[sunshinemama91]

So just to reinvigorate this topic, our shelter received this bird yesterday.



We have narrowed it down to a Blue Front or Yellow Nape -- leaning toward yellow nape because of the coloration of the beak and the fact that he is 504 grams, bigger than the typical bluefront (and not presenting as overweight).

Oh my GOSH I want that bird! Gorgeous!

Sent from my SM-S506DL using Tapatalk

 

[TinasTV]

I saw this Amazon at a bird show yesterday, and no one really can identify what he is. His owners got him from the Humane Society. Not sure if he is a hybrid or mutation.
He is gorgeous, though!


Photo courtesy of Meika's Bird House:

THIS IS A STOLEN BIRD -- I was at an event Parott Polooza in Calgary an Meika's took they picture - do they have him now? I think XXXXX had him last - she was at my house when I came home from the hospital when they took him -- I miss him for 3 or 4 years now and won't give up

 

[Terry57]

THIS IS A STOLEN BIRD -- I was at an event Parott Polooza in Calgary an Meika's took they picture - do they have him now? I think XXXXX had him last - she was at my house when I came home from the hospital when they took him -- I miss him for 3 or 4 years now and won't give up

Is that the same bird - THAT IS MY BIRD and has the implant and I have the tag he was taken as a favour during cancer surgery by XXXXX after asking for help and they refused to return him and I am beside my self 3 years later because they said they would return him and changed their mind.

I'm sending you a private message. Just to let you know, this photo and thread is from 2018, and I haven't seen your bird since that show. I'm sorry for what you're going through.

 

[Terry57]

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