Would like some information on Amazons...

[natzback]

Hi everybody!
I was in the pet store the other day and was amazed at the talking ability of some amazons she had in there - these guys were only a couple months old and talk way better than my grey does and he's 1 1/2 yrs old but one of my questions is
How loud are they - I mean as far as screaming? my grey can whistle and get a little loud but nothing like a U2 or macaw. I live in an apartment - that's why I ask.
Do they have anxiety problems like Too's do? I have kids and some birds don't mix well....
Is there any certain "breed" of Amazon that makes a better pet? talker?
Is it better to get a baby or an older bird?
Any thoughts would br appreciated :)
Natalie

[Alika]

Joanie will have better input for you, but based on my (limited) experience...

Loudness: My amazon (BFA) has lungs. However, she rarely uses them. She only makes a lot of noise when she gets really excited, and then I usually encourage it for short periods of time. I also live in an apartment, and have never received any complaints.

Still, though I would consider her loud on occassion, she's no macaw or cockatoo! If cockatiels are a 1, cockatoos are a 10, I would put amazons at... oh... maybe 6 or 7, based on loudness and frequency of vocalization.

Anxiety: I don't know how best to answer this one. Sam came to me as a plucker, which means she was anxious/stressed at some point in her life, but her feathers have since grown back and she is not plucking anymore. I don't know about her previous life, so I don't know what caused the plucking, but based on her overall condition, I don't think she was well cared for. Certainly, amazons aren't nearly as anxious and easily stressed as cockatoos are.

Species: The BFAs and OWAs are supposed to be among the calmest, but also some of the less able talkers. The YNAs and the DHYAs are supposed to be the best talkers, but also the most likely to have some aggressive tendencies. I don't know much about the other species. If there is a specific species you are looking at, you should do extensive research on that particular species.

When amazons go through sexual maturity (not sure what age this happens... 2...?) they can go from being sweet babies to suddenly aggressive, hormonal monsters. Amazon bites tend to be pretty nasty (at least, the ones I've heard about and experience first hand) and it takes a pretty strong-willed person to work through them. Fortunately, this seems to be much worse with males than with females, and once they pass sexual maturity, what you see is, for the most part, what you get. Also, amazons are very 'honest', to use Nancy's words. It is obvious when they are worked up and when they are going to bite, which makes it easy enough for the observant person to avoid a bite.

I have been told that I did well to adopt an older amazon female who is known to be calm. But I haven't had the experience of raising a baby and taking it through the terrible two's, so, again, I can't say from first hand experience.

I hope that helps! I'm sure Joanie will be along shortly to give you some of her own knowledge and experience. I will say this, though: you are either an amazon person, or you are not... just like how you are either a cockatoo person, or you are not. If you are seriously considering a 'zon, again, do your research and try to get some personal first-hand experience with them before you decide they are the bird for you. People who like them, love them. And people who don't like them... well... they have their reasons :)

[Casa Amazona]

Alika, I agree with everything you posted. Here are some more thoughts.

The Yellow Napes, Double Yellow Heads and Blue Fronts are referred to as the "hot three," meaning that the males tend to be more aggressive than the other Amazon males. This has shown itself to be true in my flock (although I don't yet have a Yellow Nape). I believe that John (Beaks) has had different experiences than mine, so he might also be a good one to weigh in on this issue.

My Blue Front female (Liza Loo) was a gift to me from my sister and brother-in-law and came to me at about nine months old. She has NEVER waivered from being a complete sweetheart to me. Even when a friend and I groom her, untoweled, a procedure she detests, she will merely put her beak around my finger for stability, applying no pressure, all the while screaming like her head is being cut off. She did go through a period when she seemed to be learning how to use her beak where I was concerned. I got a few nips during that season, but not from aggression. This same young lady (now almost six) can be downright ornery where others are concerned. She has those she really likes, those she really doesn't like and those she will bluff and bully (because they let her). A funny story about that happened when friends of mine were moving me into my house. One of the men -- a big, stocky biker -- was hanging mini blinds in the bird room. He called me in because she had pretty much cornered him and he couldn't get her back in her cage. I told him she was bluffing, but he decided that retreat was the best response. LOL.

Lilac Crowns and Orange Wings have the reputation of being sweet and gentle, but not exceptionally good talkers.

For speaking ability, the "hot three" have the best reputation. My best talkers are my female Double Yellow Head (Rosita) and my female Blue Front. The male Double Yellow Head (Rico) and the female Mexican Red Head (Adora) talk very clearly, but not very much. The female Double Yellow Head and the Yellow Crown/Orange Wing female (Abby) are great whistlers. Of course, not every bird will talk, so getting a type of bird that has a good reputation for talking ability doesn't guaranty that your individual bird will talk. That's a good argument for getting an adult, as you can then tell pretty much what you're getting. I was blessed with Liza Loo. We took one look at each other when she was a baby of about five or six months and it was love at first sight. Later on all her wonderful qualities started to emerge -- but my love for her wouldn't have changed had she not been a talker ... or playful ... or snuggly.

Each of them brings something truly wonderful to the table. At the end of the day (to use another of Nancy's phrases), it's all in what you want. If after doing your research you turn out to be a good candidate for Amazon Personhood, you can then decide whether your want high spirits, talking ability, cuddling or some combination of these traits. You can't have Liza Loo, who is the complete package, with loads of spirit, good talking ability and a real snuggle bunny. She's already spoken for.

One other thing to think about is that, when happy, Amazons give off a distinctive, pungent odor. It dissipates quickly, but some love it and some hate it. Just something to think about ...

[Alika]

Ah, yes. The odor... reminds me of ferret musk. I happen to like ferret musk, but many can't stand it. Unlike ferret musk, an amazon's "happy" odor will not stick to you for the rest of the day :)

[Demeter]

Wow, not much I can add to any of that.

I have a mealy that is very energetic, we were very surprised at how much climbing he does. I also have kids and my mealy loves to watch them playing around, likes to get excited and very loud when the kids are getting rowdy, almost like he is playing with them. He's not afraid of my kids or skiddish around them if that is what you were asking.

We were told that mealy's were not very talkative, however our Hercules is very vocal so I really think it all depends on the bird. I think the best thing is to always assume they will never talk, and just be pleasantly surprised when they do. I have a senegal who only whistles and she is the love of my life, no talking necessary :)

[Lori L]

Joanie, you are makin me want one!!! What is their loudness compared to a cockatoo. Maya screams, do amazons scream? Also, what about a white front, where do they fit in as far as "having the complete package?"

[Casa Amazona]

Originally Posted by jetanlori

Joanie, you are makin me want one!!! What is their loudness compared to a cockatoo. Maya screams, do amazons scream? Also, what about a white front, where do they fit in as far as "having the complete package?"

I told you so!!! I don't know anything at all about White Fronts. As to volume, my 'zons can't hold a candle to a 'too. I agree with Alika's estimation of them at a 6 to 7. Also, a single 'zon will be quieter than several kept together, because they feed off each other. I don't find my 'zons to be obnoxiously loud at all, although they truly are vocal. The little Nanday I'm taking care of puts them in the shade as to screechy shrillness. So ... when ya' getting him/her?

[Lori L]

Originally Posted by Casa Amazona

I told you so!!! I don't know anything at all about White Fronts. As to volume, my 'zons can't hold a candle to a 'too. I agree with Alika's estimation of them at a 6 to 7. Also, a single 'zon will be quieter than several kept together, because they feed off each other. I don't find my 'zons to be obnoxiously loud at all, although they truly are vocal. The little Nanday I'm taking care of puts them in the shade as to screechy shrillness. So ... when ya' getting him/her?

Well thankfully there are none around these parts right now. I have my hands full as it is. It is on my list though

[The Outlaw]

Kelly (Stitzby) and I both have female YNA's and I can tell you they are smart, loving and loyal. My Taco is my BEST talker, and I have two greys. Only the Amazons truly sing. She is quite accomplished at that and loves music. She is, however, a one person bird. She never waivers from that and isn't handleable by anyone here but me. She is the ONLY bird that only I can hold. However, with me, she is MORE than gentle. Always. I think the female YNA is one of the finest parrots commonly kept in captivity. I also think the Orange wing and female Blue front are just exceptional. The blue fronts are in my opinion the most beautiful of the amazon parrots. They are so colorful from the top and underneath. When they spread their wings and tails, there are few birds that can rival them.

That having been said, I can't say the same for the males. They are unpredictable and can be very, very aggressive. I think I'm pretty good with most parrots, but I really have to read those males very carefully before I go to war with them. They can really bite hard; to the bone hard.

[Willow]

I have 5 Amazons.

Willow, my Orange Wing, is the sweetest bird in the world. She adores strangers and wants to fly to meet every new person who comes in. She is social and loving. She does talk, but it is very high pitched and squeaky and I don't think most people recognize it. But, she clearly mimics my inflections. Here is a link to a little video of her "talking". She says, "What a good girl" - it's not really words so much as the w sound in the inflection that I say it to her. Then she says "Hi" and then "Whee" She does best with w's for sure! ;~) http://www.vimeo.com/clip=35243 I have had Willow since she was about 2-3 weeks of age and I simply adore her. She will be 3 in June.

Aspen is a Red Lored Amazon. She may be a Salvin's subspecies due to the lack of yellow cheeks. With me, this bird is a hoot - funny, definitely has a sense of humor, boisterous, not afraid of the other birds and enjoys funny things like "buzzing" them (Or like at the end of the video I uploaded under Willow, where she lands so close Willow has to duck out of the way. However, she is definitely a momma's girl and is scared of strangers. Won't step up for them, only occasionally will sit on them if I hand her off to them. Suspicious and wary. She came to me at about 13 weeks of age - supposedly weaned but obviously not, from a very sketchy breeder/dealer in Miami. Wouldn't do that again but wouldn't change it for anything. Just adore this comical girl! She is boisterous and I would say the most vocal of the group - here is a clip of her typical hollering, which she does when she's in a good mood, or when she wants food. http://www.vimeo.com/clip=35248 Aspen copies some of the phrases Cypress says, in a very quick, very gravelly voice.

Mulberry and Cypress are Cuban Amazons. They are available in some states, not others, and can't be sold across state lines. FL and CA and TX I know for sure have them. These guys are little, about 250 grams. These boys are completly bonded to one another. Mulberry who was hand fed but then lived in a cage in a pet store for 2.5 years is timid and shy, steps up nervously, terrifed of hand held perches, not comfortable getting scritches. Cypress was a pet for about 5 years, then moved into the petstore and not really handled for about 3-4 more before coming to me. He is not fearful and can be aggressive especially when he is defending Mulberry from me. Cypress can talk and says a number of things, usually just before he bites me. I have not heard Mulberry talk.

Maple is a Mealy Amazon. I have had him not quite a year yet, he was a wild caught bird who was imported about 18 years ago, if I remember correctly now. He can be loud, but really only does so when he wants something, generally, or if he's upset/annoyed about something. But, it is a noise that many people would find very obnoxious. When he does it, it goes on and on for some time. http://www.vimeo.com/clip=35253 Other than that, pretty quiet, really. His foster mom heard him say "Pretty Bird" but I have never heard him. He does make a cool alien sound, though. http://www.vimeo.com/clip=35251 He can be totally sweet and solicit scritches or he can be naughty and give me a nice nip/bite.

All these guys have been DNA'd, but I couldn't say whether the personality differences are because of gender or because I've had both girls from babies and all the boys came to me as adults.

I don't think you can go wrong with an Amazon, really. On my wish list is a Yellow Faced Amazon, and a Lilac Crown Amazon. And Possibly a Green Cheek as well. :~)