Yellow fronted amazons as pets

[jonahsmom]

I also looked into adopting a yellow crowned amazon for my family and was scared off by some other threads and information about how territorial and aggressive they can be (during breeding season). I read on some other areas about them generally being "child friendly" birds though. It's a tough decision when you want to do what's right for your family AND the bird. We ended adopting green cheek conure. We absolutely ADORE him and he's willing to get to know our 9 yr old and isn't too loud. I will always wonder about how the amazon would've fit in our family though. He is a beautiful bird and very talkative. But not disappointed in my decision. We're just going to wait longer for a bigger bird.

 

[KBEquine]

Actually, our YC is the only bird I trust with my granddaughter (and vice versa). Only with me in close attendance, of course. My grand daughter is fearless; but her mother is NOT.

My stepdaughter is purely terrified of birds. She held the YC, too. And I wouldn't have handed her anything with enough of a sense of humor to scare her more than she already is. [She wants to be a vet tech, so wants help getting used to birds.]

My YC is more even-tempered than many Amazon species. The only reason I don't have them hold the Panama is because the Panama is still a little shy & unsure in his new environment. But he is even gentler than the YC.

There are a couple small parrot species who have reputations for being great family birds & it is true of some - but not all - members of the species. I adored my Pionus beyond reason & they've got reputations for being gentle, family birds. But mine hated everyone but me & wouldn't hesitate to bite to defend his territory. Caiques & Senegals remind me of Pionus - many wonderful family birds & a few attack-birds in the mix. And it is awful to get a bird, fall in love & then have to figure out what adjustments you need to make to keep the bird AND keep your friends & family safe.

So my humble opinion - you need to investigate not only species, but the individual parrot who might enter your home. And you might be better off with an adult, with an established personality, than a baby you might raise & love - until it hits puberty & attacks someone.

If there is a good - big - parrot rescue near you, you should investigate what is available. The big birds make their own decisions (and everything bigger than a cockatiel at least THINKS it is a big bird). So maybe you could let the bird pick your family & you humans could learn to adjust to it?

Just a thought. I still wish you the best, whatever your decision. And somewhere on this thread, I noticed Henpecked recommended the cockatiel as the ultimate family bird. I vote with him - but STILL throw the budgie into the ring as an option. Such a big personality in such a little body!

 

[Bellalaross]

I have found someone selling a male yellow crown, he's 2 years old, loves kids but shy around adults, he's never bitten apparently just 'pecks', a quiet bird who only has the dawn and dusk screaming... He sounds lovely, but her son has lost interest... So now I am reconsidering getting a yellow crown... Hmm what do you all think?

 

[wenz2712]

Go and see him to see how you feel! If you feel comfortable around him and he with you, then go for it You will love him

 

[paulhanlon]

Senegal's are amazing also there great parrots for people who are just starting we have a 8 month old senegal she loves kids and is great with the dogs she belongs to my mam im getting a blue fronted zon in october i have spent hours on hours researching this species and i feel a bfa is the one for me

 

[KBEquine]

I have found someone selling a male yellow crown, he's 2 years old, loves kids but shy around adults, he's never bitten apparently just 'pecks', a quiet bird who only has the dawn and dusk screaming... He sounds lovely, but her son has lost interest... So now I am reconsidering getting a yellow crown... Hmm what do you all think?

Sounds a bit like my yellow crown, who we call "the Boy Scout" because he is the guy we trust with people who aren't 'parrot people' & likely to make newbie mistakes. At 2, this guy still needs to go through his 'terrible teenage years' but the 'pecking' is probably grooming the person he likes.

I think if I were you, I'd certainly be intrigued enough to meet the bird & ask the price . . .

 

[Chaz12]

Amazons in general, are not friendly toward everyone. They have favorites and will bite strangers. My Yellow Shouldered Amazon is a great example of this behavior. She has never bitten me hard after I gained her trust. I can grab her beak, pet her wings, scratch her neck and she does not bite me. I even flip her upside down on her back and no bites. But if you are a stranger attempting this, you might end up loosing a finger. She is very jealous of me and will not let another person hit me. She becomes very aggitated and wants to bite the person whom hit me. Basically, my wife and me Sassy's likes. I am her favorite person and can only get her out of the cage. This is the behavior of most Amazons. One or two people birds. Sassy allows others to touch her, on occassion, but that occassion don't come often. Sassy doesn't want to be held all the time and will nudge me away. If I don't take her serious, she will show me more aggression. Bite harder.. So I let her choose if she wants in the cage or out. I simply open the door and if she comes out I take her off the cage and hold her. If she is not out of her cage, well she wants left alone and is content.

 

[jonahsmom]

I was just talking to an out of state friend of mine about her yellow headed amazon last night. She's had him since he was 4 weeks old and she said he'll still bite her hard if she's not doing what he wants her to do. She said he loves her, but hates her husband. But she still wouldn't trade him for the world. I think it's one of those things "what am I willing to put up with". Ya know!

 

[KBEquine]

I think it's one of those things "what am I willing to put up with". Ya know!

I think it is a 'meet the individual & decide based on the individual, not the species description' kind of thing.

 

[jonahsmom]

I think it's one of those things "what am I willing to put up with". Ya know!

I think it is a 'meet the individual & decide based on the individual, not the species description' kind of thing.

It's both actually. You can't ignore the species description entirely because that is what the description is there for.

 

[Bellalaross]

We never got a chance to meet the yc zon, his owner sold him :-(