Amazons?

[MandyG]

Before my beloved JR. died the two of them would set each other off and you couldnt get a word in.

They definitely love to talk! I can't have a conversation while holding mine, he will talk loudly and excitedly over every word I'm trying to say!

I would highly recommend an Amazon as long as you can withstand the noise level.

Yes, they are VERY noisy! I would recommend them to almost anyone. As long as they realize they are not the easiest birds to have and do require determination and a strong will!

Glad to see another Amazon owner here!

[Rue]

LOL...loud is an understatement...it's also piercing and carries a LONG distance. We can hear our amazon way out to the barn when the windows are open...

I don't know how well that would do in the city with close neighbours...but on the acerage it's fine.

I don't mind it...but the family finds it annoying. However she's only that loud 2X a day for the most part (breakfast and dinner times)...otherwise it's intermittent when she's excited...

[thegreatkatsby]

Hello! I realize I'm chiming in quite late in this discussion... but better late than never, right?

I have a 10 year-old blue-front amazon (Earlyn). She is my second bird--my first was a cockatiel when I was younger, but Earlyn is the only bird I have owned as an adult (other than a white-crowned pionus that I just adopted a couple of weeks ago). I met Earlyn at a friend's party one summer. Her owner then (second owner) thought she was a male African Grey, so he named her "Earl" (as in Earl Grey tea). I didn't have the heart to rename her a third time (her first owner named her Corky), so we ended up with a feminized version of Earl = Earlyn. It's really funny by itself, but it's REALLY funny when she tries to say her name (eeeerrrr.... EEEEERRRrrrr.... EAAAAAARRRRRLLLLLLL....!!!).

Anyhow-back to the story of Earlyn. Her owner was moving to Oregon and couldn't take her with him (he said he was worried she wouldn't survive the move; mutual friends later told me he just couldn't handle her behavioral problems). She was absolutely a handful when I got her. Biting, aggression, mistrust, fear of water (she was punished with water bottles by previous owners), hatred of unfamiliar people, and SCREAMING!!! Oh, the screaming. I went through 7 roommates in 5 years (and now thankfully live alone). I've had Miss Early for six years now... and she's absolutely amazing. These days she'll have an occasional little screaming fit or temper-tantrum (mostly over food or for attention), but for the most part she is an intelligent, affectionate little love. Her demeanor towards new people has really changed for the better (she presents her neck for scritches!), and she is HILARIOUS.

I only tell you this to illustrate that amazons can be both a delight and a nightmare. I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world, and the years of tears and frustration are more than compensated by the level of trust and companionship we have now. I blame the ignorance of previous owners and bird puberty for a lot of the behavioral issues, but from what I've heard, these types of issues can happen in any household with any bird. With an amazon's tremendous noise-making qualities, and their painful, vindictive angry bites coupled with a tendency to become easily over-stimulated... they can truly be a handful when they're being rotten. But if you are very patient and are willing to work with one... they're just amazing.

[thegreatkatsby]

Oops--it's late at night and I think I rambled more than hit on points I wanted to add on to!

Noise: I have lived in apartments with my amazon, and although neighbors can hear her sometimes, for the most part it hasn't been an issue because she sleeps quietly through the night without making noise, and can easily be quieted down with either "calm down" blanket time, or a treat (given to her before she screams, to ensure good behavior!). I don't think this would work in EVERY apartment situation, but I have purposefully chosen my current living situation based on the thickness of the walls and relative inability to hear sound between units. I can definitely see how this would be an issue in areas where it is difficult to pick and choose an appropriate apartment--so having a place where it's OK to be loud is a major plus.

Next goal... training the significant other to better tolerate parrot noise and behavior....

[Pacobel]

I'm so glad other people have "issues" - Mandy, I saw your response to my introduction, and I couldn't agree more. He/they are amazing creatures. But what a handful. If intelligence is a common feature, I suspect that plays a large role. He is very bright - still picking up new language and forming new (and contextually appropriate) phrases at the age of an estimated 8-10. He was also abused by a crazy alcoholic who was very angry that he was dying, and took it out on Paco. After 2yrs together, however, he's now getting nippy. It's always around having to step up - and he'll even nearly jump to me, then lean down and bite me. Given he can sever a finger, they're not bad, but they HURT! I finally got tired of all the "nice" interventions, and snapped "stoppit!" at him over the weekend. He actually looked hurt. Do y'all think that this behavior is likely a reflection of their reputation for being unpredictable, or a reflection of "birdie love" and that he is pair-bonded and feeling safe and playful? He goes many places with me, and is quite friendly to strangers. There have been a couple of incidents where men have approached too quickly and gotten too close and he's flown off me at them in a threatening way, but he's even easy to deal with at the vet now.

[captwest]

As it seems you are a bird person ,an Amazon is a good choice, it seems you are doing research which is vital to you and your new pets well being.I,m 53 and have been around alot of Amazons all my life. (also many other birds too) I have Pet amazons i took from their nest in the wild and i'm sure ther're many people who think i'm a dirty rotten SOB, well whatever, i,m not here to make friends. I can offer you some good advice, take your time , don't get in a hurry, keep asking questions and researching. a amazon is a long time pet/friend. My baby is Jake and i've had her almost 40yrs. As far as what specis is the best what's hard to say , all amazon have their own personalities, each bird is an individual much like people.IN MY OPINION the best is a Pamana ,a subspieces of the Yellow Fronts, in fact many birds sold as panamas are YFs, they are a little smaller bird but are great taikers with nicer personalities. I also saw where someone told you that amazons would only bond with one person, please don't believe it! Nothing is further from the truth , yes they prefer one person over another however my pet amazons crave attention from both my wife , kids and "play " with the dogs.Jake has never meet a man with a beard that she didn't love and will sing and dance to gain their attention, perfect strangers can pet and play with her if she likes them, regardless of their gender/race, (she's a YN hen).For someone who will be working during the day a Amazon will be OK. Just make time for them every day as a schedule is important and they love a routine, also training to do tricks and such will keep them and you entertaiend. Amazons love to be busy,playing , bathing and eating are favorite activities , Please feel free to contact me if you get a amazon and have any Questions. PS Amazon rescue birds can (i repeat can) make great pets if you're pretty bird savy.

[thegreatkatsby]

Earlyn has been screaming at me today for about half an hour now (for a yet to be determined reason), so it's definitely a day I don't recommend amazons.

[Azure Hanyo]

Earlyn has been screaming at me today for about half an hour now (for a yet to be determined reason), so it's definitely a day I don't recommend amazons.

I feel the same way about Galileo today, she was going absolutely nuts after I put her back into her cage when my daughters woke up from their naps. She was SO angry with me. She is happy as a clam now though, and really only threw a fit for maybe 30 minutes... But what a 30 minutes THAT was. Both of my girls and Archimedes had to join in too...

[izmail1215]

I got a Yellow naped amazon VERY LOUD! play ful they are a great pet still traing mine doing good so far.

I am sure you will enjoy for amazon for they fit your personality.

[Choco]

Hey Guys..My blue fronted amazon has needle like feathers that are hard! its hard to love on him as i get squacked at for touching them..please help what can i do? :