Amazons?

[lzver]

Mandy,

Thank you for your very thorough reply. I knew you had an Amazon and I was hoping that you'd reply. There is a lot of information on the Internet about Amazons, behavioral issues and how to deal with them, etc. I am trying to find as much of that information as I can right now ... but I also want honest thoughts from current Amazon owners that touch on the pros and cons of owning one - or maybe its more accurate to say being owned by one

I want to make an informed decision. I'm not taking this decision lightly at all. Who knows, in the end, I may even decide that having an Amazon isn't for me (or my family - I have to consider my husband and step-kids as well).

I have saved your reply Mandy, and I'm sure I'll re-visit it several times over the coming months.

[MandyG]

You're welcome .

There is a lot of information on the internet about them and you might feel like you know everything there is to know about them from going through it all for hours. Believe me, you never really know what you're getting into until you have one . I thought I knew everything there was to know by the time I settled on a breeder. I talked to one lady that owns a blue front and she said that he's the sweetest thing, talks well, and is highly entertaining. I also talked to Mojo's breeder and she commended me on the amount of research I had done. Once my little guy came home and started coming out of his shell I learned I didn't know half of what I thought I did! If I were you I would talk to as many Amazon owners in person as you can. They do have common problems but they're also individuals and they're personalities can be quite different. If you can, handle lots of Amazons to see if you're comfortable with them. That beak really does hurt as much as it looks like it will .

Most importantly if you do get one make sure you socialize it as much as you can, train it as much as you can (those step ups can save you from some bloody fingers) and most importantly learn and respect its body language. If your Amazon is chattering to itself and playing don't try to pick it up, you're setting up a really bad situation. Wait until it wants to be picked up or make it think it wants to be picked up before you try. Unlike some parrots like Greys, Amazons will always tell you how they're feeling, if you respect them you'll likely have a great relationship with your bird.

I really don't want to scare you off from getting one, they're the greatest parrots in the world in my opinion and they're not as bad as they sound. It's just that they're not for everybody (one of the more common birds you find in rescues) and I'd hate for another Amazon to be given up on simply because it was the wrong choice. You also have experience with parrots so an Amazon will likely be an easier bird for you to have than the start was for me. I had a lot of hard lessons to learn because mine was my first parrot. They don't make the best 'first birds' but I wouldn't trade him for the world now.

[lzver]

Most importantly if you do get one make sure you socialize it as much as you can, train it as much as you can (those step ups can save you from some bloody fingers) and most importantly learn and respect its body language. If your Amazon is chattering to itself and playing don't try to pick it up, you're setting up a really bad situation. Wait until it wants to be picked up or make it think it wants to be picked up before you try. Unlike some parrots like Greys, Amazons will always tell you how they're feeling, if you respect them you'll likely have a great relationship with your bird.

I have learnt about reading Lucy's and Jessie's body language all too well ... I have figured out that you CANNOT force a bird to do something ... you give them the choice whether or not they want to. For Jessie, if I want to take him out of his cage, I always put my hand on the latch to his door and ask him if he wants to come out and see mommy. If he starts pacing back and forth and does his excited dance, I know he wants to come out. If he just sits there, that tells me he wants to be left alone. Just a few weeks ago, I forgot to ask Jessie if he wanted to come out, opened the door, quickly put my hand in and I'm not surprised that he bit me. They are quick to remind you when you're out of line

I wish I could get this across to my husband ... he doesn't take the time to read their body language and almost always gets nailed when he goes to see the birds. I really need to work on this with him if we are going to get another bird. You made some good points about jealously and both of us handling a new bird and I'd rather he learn with Lucy and Jessie than get off on the wrong foot with a bigger bird.

Thanks again!

[lzver]

I got to hold an Amazon today Jessie was supposed to go the vet today, but the vet called in sick. I still stopped by because I wanted to re-book the appointment and I wanted to pick up some Harrison's pellets and start weaning Lucy and Jessie on to them. Anyways, there was a woman in the waiting room with a Yellow-naped Amazon and after talking to her for a few minutes, she asked if I wanted to hold him. He stepped right up onto my wrist and enjoyed some scritches. What a beautiful boy he was.

She has 4 Amazons and she says she'll have another one of her Amazons at the next local parrot club meeting. I can't wait!

Just wanted to share

[MandyG]

Aww, that's great! Her's sounds a bit more friendly than mine, I'm the only one that can pet Mojo! He'll let other people hold him but that's it!

You live in Ontario? I had a really good experience with Mark and Sara Rykers from Just Parrots in Fort Erie, ON. The Canadian Breeder list says that they breed Chaco Blue Front, Yellow Nape, Double Yellow head, Orange Winged, and Yellow Crowned Amazons. When I got my baby almost 2 years ago they were currently breeding yellow crowns and the blue fronts. They were really great and took the time to talk to me about all of my questions and sent a lot of information with him. Fortunately Ontario has quite a few Amazon breeders.

[lzver]

Yeah he was a friendly guy. She has 4 Amazon's and works to socialize each of them. She only has one that won't let anyone else hold or scratch him. But then again, she resuced him a few years ago and he has other behavioral issues she's working on first. Her other Amazon's she's had since babies and one of them is 32 years old.

Yes, I do live in Ontario. I'll have to do some research on Just Parrots. I think I've seen their listing before, but never really went to their site because I'm not sure how far they are from me. But I will consider especially when your Mojo is from there and you had a good experience with them.

Thanks again.
Laura

[lzver]

What about some of the smaller Macaws? Eclectus? Little Corella? Galah? Some of the larger "conures?"

Just wanted to post an update that we are also now considering a Hans Macaw. From what I have read, they are 11 - 12 inches and actually make a good pet for first time parrot owners.

If anyone has experience or knowledge about the Hans, let me know.

[Michael]

Personally I've had a terrible experience with them but I cannot necessarily speak for the entire species. When I got Kili I was considering between Sun Parakeet, Senegal Parrot, and Hans Macaw. I didn't like the Sun Parakeets when I realized how noisy/bitey they are. As for the Hans Macaw, it was so incredibly skittish. Even the bird store employees couldn't handle it (let alone me, a parrot beginner at the time). The bird would just jump out of their hands and start running away. The Senegal Parrot was perfect between those three choices. My opinion of Hans Macaws was repeated with additional specimens at that store during future visits. Now, I cannot compare to other places that raise them but I would think that the store raises all their parrots in a similar manner so the difference I see between birds has more to do with their species than the specifics of how they were raised (unless perhaps hans macaws require a non-standard method of raising). I got the same feeling with all mini-macaws basically. They seem great (most features of a large macaw in a convenient small package) but while large macaws are confident, the mini ones seem very skittish/terrified of everything. So this is my personal limited opinion of them. Don't go just by what I say but if you find others saying the same thing, perhaps it will reaffirm the notion for you.

[lzver]

To keep this post going, we're now considering 2 more types of birds ... a blue head pionus and australian king parrot.

A woman had a blue head pionus at the local parrot club meeting this month and I got a chance to hold him. He was a good size and a very sweet little bird. From what I've read so far, they are great little birds.

Then today, we drove about an hour and went to a store called Exotic Wings and Things (they have an online store, http://www.exoticwings.com/). Being a Poi fan, today was the first time I ever saw a Brown Head ... what sweet little birds. They almost look like a Senegal, but have the coloring of a female Red Bellied (I wonder if sometime in the past they were both breed to come up with a Brown Head). Anyways, we held a female Australian King parrot and they are beautiful birds. My husband sure fell in love with her.

I'm totally confused now and have no idea what kind of bird I want to get. They are all so beautiful. I'm forcing myself to take the time with this decision.

[Natacha]

To keep this post going, we're now considering 2 more types of birds ... a blue head pionus and australian king parrot.

A woman had a blue head pionus at the local parrot club meeting this month and I got a chance to hold him. He was a good size and a very sweet little bird. From what I've read so far, they are great little birds.

Then today, we drove about an hour and went to a store called Exotic Wings and Things (they have an online store, http://www.exoticwings.com/). Being a Poi fan, today was the first time I ever saw a Brown Head ... what sweet little birds. They almost look like a Senegal, but have the coloring of a female Red Bellied (I wonder if sometime in the past they were both breed to come up with a Brown Head). Anyways, we held a female Australian King parrot and they are beautiful birds. My husband sure fell in love with her.

I'm totally confused now and have no idea what kind of bird I want to get. They are all so beautiful. I'm forcing myself to take the time with this decision.

Hmm..should have read this before going on the other thread. I guessed you went to Exotic Wings and it seems I was right.

Reading this, it just seems to me that you should keep on researching and getting in contact with potential "interesting" birds for you. Have you often gone to Parrot club meetings? It's by attending those on a number of occasions that I came up with what I wouldn't want as a bird; seeing them in action and talking to their owners about how they are to live with. Doing this, I figured out that there are many types of parrots I wouldn't want to own.
Ironically enough, I didn't really get to meet many Pois owner before thinking they were for me (actually I can't remember talking to any before I got Shade) but their reputation in everything I read seem to me like they were the perfect match for me..and they are