Heeelp... I need a amazon expert!

[becaroonie]

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[entrancedbymyGCC]

I'm not an Amazon expert, but I did spend some time around my MILs white-spectacled Amazon. There are some folks on here who have a lot more experience with them. And of course, species traits are generalizations, any individual may stray far from the mean profile.

A lot of people really love their Amazons. The one I knew was not particularly cuddly, and he did mature to be a one-person bird in the sense of being really only affectionate with my MIL. He did let others hold and handle him, but not with real enthusiasm. I have heard that a tendency to be one-person birds is a fairly common trait. But they are also inclined to be smart and good talkers, and I sense they are not as fragile as Greys or as volatile as some of the smaller birds.

[Roger P]

Every bird has a different personality all his/her own. There are good and "bad" in every species. You need feedback from someone who has lots of Amazon experience.

Captwest, are you out there? Your expertise is muchly needed !

[MandyG]

Well, personality is an individual thing. And most of the things you mentioned such as a nice bird you can pet and teach tricks to; that's mostly based on the handling, taming, and training you do with your bird.

Now, on to my personal experience. I love my Amazon. Wouldn't give him up for anything and I'd definitely own another one! He's not as cuddly as some birds but he will snuggle into my chest for lots of pets. He has more personality than any other species of bird I've met. I really think they're simply amazing birds.

For more on the Amazon subject, please check out these posts about Amazons in the species section.

[becaroonie]

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[captwest]

Well i'll tell it like it is, my wife and i have several pet amazons, i can pet,cuddle and play with her birds just like she can with mine, yes her birds prefer her to me and mine prefer me.The only mean , aggressive biting birds around our house are breeders who have little human contact and are bonded to a mate.Handling is the key to a good amazon, if you spend the time interacting with them you'll have a great pet, if they sit alone in acage without human interaction well you can't expect much. Granted i've had my YN Jake for 40 yrs and my wife's YN Stacey for 15 yrs so we have a lot of experience but the birds will teach you how to be a good owner if you keep you mind and heart open.People who say Amazons aren't cuddly are not very good amazon owners.And yes by all means, carry your amazon around where ever you go, ours love to be with us and would be miserable alone at home.

[snakesentwined]

We are fairly new to keeping parrots, and so did lots of research before choosing a bird - almost everyone suggested that Amazons can make the best 'companions' of all the parrots because they are intellegent, funny, and generally very good at mimickry - true, they can also be incredibly independent and strong-willed, but that is also what makes them robust and more 'forgiving' of your occassional mistakes.

Of the problems we were warned of, it was that they can be noisy, that you really have to give a balanced diet (and watch their weight!) - and that sometimes their 'independence' can tip over into agression (especially with males in breeding time). I know you wanted the possitives, but every species has their individual traits and potential for 'problems' - but it's knowing them and acting accordingly that helps you keep those problems from developing. As to the agression - it's one reason we were recommended to get a DNA sexed female.

As the Capt'n says - having a happy Amazon is mostly about proper care and training, and sensitive regular handling. I'd also say it's about respecting them as a companion and a member of the family - and not expecting them to be a cudly pet But then, I'm not sure that couldn't be said for having *any* kind of happy parrot.

I can certainly say that Isis has proved herself to be very chatty, impossibly cheerful, often cheeky, fiercely independent and incredibly intellegent - she's not much for cuddles, but she loves head scratches, is tolerant of being touched and positively *demands* to be included in whatever we are up to. And the more we involve her and allow her to be part of our 'flock', the happier and more relaxed she is.

True, she can be a little green dragon at times - but we are very happy we decided to share our home with her.

[snakesentwined]

(and if you are thinking of an Amazon, I would highly recommend Rosemary Low's book "Amazon parrots" {Dona/insignis publications: 2005 - 0953133745} - there's lots on sub-species specifics and a weighty chunk on breeding, but I don't think you can get a more extensive book on their care)

[MandyG]

Snakesentwined, I couldn't have put it better myself! If the "she's" had been "he's" I would have thought you were talking about my little boy!

One thing I didn't know when I was looking for my Amazon was that males tend to be more aggressive during breeding seasons, just like you mentioned. Mojo is only 2.5 years but he really has his aggressive moments at times (I'm sure the females do too). It's usually pretty easy to get him to snap out of it, or else I leave him alone for a little while and he's very sweet when I come back to get him because he wants to be included in what we're doing instead of in his cage in 'time out'. When I was discussing things with his breeder, she suggested that I should get a DNA sexed male because males tend to bond better with female handlers and females tend to bond better with male handlers. Now that I have more experience with parrots I really don't think that's the case.

Other than that I really don't have anything to add that snakesentwined didn't already say.

[becaroonie]

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