Need help with baby Amazon

[totemthepole]

I posted this up somewhere else on this forum, so if you have seen it before sorry....

Two weeks ago I got a baby parrot, unweaned, bald-headed. Here are some current pics , all the feathers on his head have come in since I got him, from looking at other pics of baby birds on here and other types of parrots I think it is a red lored amazon, and about four weeks old....does anyone agree or disagree from his appearance? He actually already has more feathers than the pics, three days ago. I just clipped his wings because he was starting to fly a couple of days ago. My questions are,what kind of bird is he? How old is he? And at what age will he wean?

I have been feeding him cornmeal mush with some baby food (mashed carrots, broccoli or zucchini) mixed in, is this OK? We feed him 4 or 5 times a day. He loves to eat, I've gotten him to gnaw on an almond and some pine nuts, but he really was just playing with them. When should I start giving him real food? Any other advice?

[Sashagirl]

He is an Amazon but I couldn't tell you which species.It should be eating a handfeeding formula specialially made for Amazon or like species it should be heated and fed at the right temperature.His wings shouldn't of been clipped yet until he was properly fledged and able to really fly he really looks too young for that to have happen yet.I handfed in a couple of years I wish I could been of more help.

Marcia

[brilliantfeathers]

I still think it might be a spectacled amazon also...that white line and the size of the baby just make it seem right. White-fronted (spectacled) are a small amazon and red-lored are a medium. It really is hard to tell but once those pin feathers open up it should be a bit easier. Now from what Ive read both a red-lored or a spectacled are from your area,lol. So I guess its still up in the air. Ill do a little research and see what I can find out.

[Tombstone]

He should wean around 3 or 4 months of age. I would say he's around four weeks old - not 100% sure on that. It is very important to his development for you to allow his wings to grow out and allow him to get the basics of flying down well before clipping his wings again. Many problemed birds have never been allowed to fly and do not even know how to fly. You have a much better chance of having a well adjusted pet bird if you allow him to properly develope - he will likely start trying to fly in just a few more weeks. How much did you clip off of the wings? Can you post a pic of them clipped? When he starts to fly, try to bird proof your house as much as possible. Cover windows and remove anything that can hurt him. Have him start out in a small area so he cannot pick up excessive speed and slam into walls, mirrors, or windows, etc. Be sure toilet seats are all down in your house - no ceiling fans running, etc. It will take him several weeks to get pretty good at ascending, descending, turning, and landing. THEN you can clip his wings once he was learned to fly and had some practice during weaning. Once he is weaned, clipping his wings doesn't seem to cause birds any stress at all. I know having a baby bird constantly flying around your house is a huge pain and worry - I have a young one now doing just that! But, the benefits for the bird far outweigh the inconvenience to the humans! Consider this...flying is just as important to a fledgling's development (physical and mental) as crawling is to a human's development. Studies have shown that children who did not have ample opportunity to crawl tend toward learning disabilities and other developmental delays/problems. Flying seems to be just as important in a bird's development.

Good luck!

[Tombstone]

I also meant to include a link to the baby bird formula you need to purchase and prepare for him. Be sure to follow directions and measure the temp of the food BEFORE feeding to prevent crop burn.

Amazon.com: ZuPreem Baby Bird Hand Feeding Formula Plus ''Embrace Plus'' (5-lb bag): Kitchen & Dining

[Amazonlady]

My guess would be either a White Front or maybe a Lilac Crown, both live in your area, but with it being so small I don't think it's a red lored. My bet is on a white front

[totemthepole]

Those pics are about two weeks old, here he is yesterday, has grown a lot!

[totemthepole]

Also yesterday I tried feeding him rice and beans instead of the cornmeal mush and babyfood I've been giving him, he loved it, now he wont eat the mush anymore he wants the rice and beans. Guess he really is Mexican! Is this ok to feed him?