Questions about "hot" Amazons

[No_where1976]

Hello everyone!

I do not currently own any birds but I have been researching and am between an Amazon and a Red Belly Parrot.

If anyone wouldn't mind answering my dilemma of the "hot" amazon. I first fell in love with Amazons at a pet store about 12 years ago. The lady who ran the shop had one and would bring her to work everyday. She (the Amazon) was amazing! Instantly in love and ever since then I just knew someday I would own one. I did read a ton of books on the Amazon and maybe I'm just getting older and don't remember any books idicating "hot" types of Amazons. (I guess that's the difference 12 years ago I went to library now I use the internet LOL) So I was just wondering from other Amazon owners how bad this is. I don't mean to put it so lightly but I thought with all parrots as they mature, there attitudees can change I didn't think that was species specific...happens with humans too?!

Oh and I also went in just about everyday to just watch and swoon and talked to the Amazon's owner ear off! She did tell me that yes they can be difficult, bite harder, but they are 100% trainable and you could learn from them and make pretty darn good companions.

Hope I didn't make this too long! Thanks in advance!

 

[Grinder]

I think maybe by 'hot' they were refering to a hormonal Amazon. It think this stage might surprise anyone who hasn't experience it with other parrots, but it's not difficult to deal with. When you see it happening or they bite a little harder than normal just put them back in or on their cage. Don't encourage or respond to the behavior.

Our DYH Amazon did bite harder (not biting, but the mouthing) than any of our other parrots including our Macaw. It's in his nature to rough house and wrestle. A couple times it became unconfortable. When that happens you just have to let them calm down or hand them a foot toy they can go crazy with.

Our Amazon truly has a playful personality and isn't afraid of anything. He wrestles, flops on his back, hangs upside and is pretty much always active. Each type of parrot presents its challenges, but none of them should deter you from all the positive enjoyment you will experience.

 

[Greenwing]

I have a DYH and a YN both hand fed ..there around 16yrs old now.. Never really had a problem..there were times when they tested me.. I would put my hand in to step up they would growl and pretend to attack me(they never really bit down hard).. This went on for a few month off and on if I remember correctly....

Amazons are my favorite bird...

 

[SandyBee]

Yep that what the hot 3 refers too. I have a DYH that was wild caught he is 35 and hormonal surges are not an issue. It is said that it is at it's worst when they first start going through sexual maturity ages 5-7 approx. There are ways to cope/shorten the length of time you deal with this each year.
From what I've seen on these forums amazons are getting a bad rap from the internet, all birds seem to go through this to some degree. The key is knowledge and learning how to handle it.

 

[Parrotdise]

I found with Sierra as long as keep her diet changed so that she is not getting bunch of one thing and i looked up foods that trigger breeding, such as fruit that is really wet or corn which i give in moderation, cooked beans to list a few. We are good i am able to give her dried fruit and it is fine. Diet is huge part, the second is daylight and i provide 12 hrs of sleep. She's a little more loving than usual but its nothing bad. I don't want her to think i am her mate so i am holding her a little less but i still visit with her. She isn't doing the awful amazon call this year.

Between Amazons and red bellieds they are both awesome birds. Sam talks just as much as Sierra although i think Sierra maybe understands concept little better. She appreciates things to be explained to her. I find i have a much better outcome with her if something is explained. Sam (my red bellied) is very bonded to me, and will 99.9% trust anything i do. Now that he is older he doesn't get scared of objects and things. Sam is pretty quiet and mostly talks, although he sometimes likes to beep and whistle when i leave the room and may keep it up. He loves the radio and will ask me to turn it on. He says Do you want the Radio on? One time i put Depeche mode on and he must have not liked it, he said Do you want the Radio off? Lol So he does understand but like i said i think Sierra has a better understanding. I think the two make a good combo, and are quite funny. They both play peek boo together, but i wouldn't put them where they could get to each other. Sam will go after other birds.

 

[No_where1976]

Thank you so much everyone! I plan to be as knowledgable as possible before aquiring my companion

I have just been reading everything I can and searching forums for other's first hand experiences.

 

[weco]

Hmmmmm, "Questions about "hot" Amazons" ...With a subject line like that, I just had to read the thread.....thought I'd been missing something.....

 

[No_where1976]

Hmmmmm, "Questions about "hot" Amazons" ...With a subject line like that, I just had to read the thread.....thought I'd been missing something.....

LOL!! I didn't even think about that! But yes in a good way they are 'HOT'

 

[jbail1026]

Funny! My family dove in the deep end when we got George (YN) when I was 12 and he was 2 (I had gotten a parakeet for my birthday the year before and we thought we were bird experts, I guess). I think he was right at that age when they start testing you - he bit and bit hard! I had a half-moon scar on my index finger for years. With all the accessible resources now (and this forum!) I think we would have had a much better experience getting to know each other and learning how to fit a 'zon into the family. Still! He is awesome and smart and funny and there is nothing better than a bird for life, in my opinion. I would just go in thinking you'll probably get bit while you are figuring each other out, but it's worth it!

 

[henpecked]

I don't think amazons are for every one, but with the right match ,,,it;s magical. yeah i think the "hot three" is a bad rap. Those three where the most imported and most desired at a time when large number where imported and sold as pets. These are the more "advanced" species of zons and the better "talkers".Males in the wild compete for nest and can be aggressive in breeding season. This is also common in many other parrots that are cavity nesters. They're intelligent birds that have their own personalities.

 

[DiscoDuck]

Our 30 yr old BFA in "heat" actually uh.................. is this a family site? Lets put this way. He goes through the motions. Other than being a little more cranky and lot more vocal nothing dramatically different when the hormones rage.

 

[gypsyqueen135]

I'm no bird pro and I know I was not ready for the hot three but I got Tilly a 10 year old yellow shoulder amazon who loves everybody she is a dream bird and I'm on a waiting list for a panama amazon. I can have my cake and eat it too I'm an amazon lover.