Mealy Amazon

[Demeter]

NOMINATE--Mealy Amazon (Amazona Farinosa Farinosa)



Mainly green coloration dusted with grey and violet coloring edging

and blackish tips. Tails are light green or lime on the tips. Some have

a light blue/teal sheen to their coat. The beaks are usually yellowish.

The eyes are a reddish-orange color with a white featherless ring

around the eye. Yellow patch on top of the head, some more then

others. Bend of wing reddish-yellow, primaries and secondaries violet

blue towards tips, red wing-speculum across 4-5 outer secondaries.

Feet are greyish in color.



SUB SPECIES-Chapman's Mealy Amazon (Amazona Farinosa Chapmani)



As Farinosa but usually without or with very few yellow feathers

on the head. On average slighter darker, larger. Lenght 16.5

inches.



SUB SPECIES-Guatemalan Mealy Amazon, Blue-Crowned Mealy

(Amazona Farinosa Guatemalae)



As Virenticseps but forehead and crown have alot of blue coloring

edge of wing in all birds yellowish green. Immatures with paler

blue and darker iris.



SUB SPECIES-Greater Mealy Amazon, Plain Colored Mealy

(Amazona Farinosa Inornata)



As Farinosa but with few, if any yellow feathers on head. Abdomen,

back and breast plumage with less greyish tinge. Tends to be

larger and duller the Farinosa.



SUB SPECIES-Costa Rican Mealy Amazon (Amazona Farinosa

Virenticeps)



As Farinosa but plumage tends to be more yellowish-green. bend

of wing in virtually all birds greenish-yellow, forehead and crown

green with a pronounced pale bluish tinge.







Originate from South America through Central America.





Known as the "Gentle Giants" for their laid back attitude and easy going disposition. Mealy Amazons are one of the most talkative parrots. They can even repeat a word or sentence after only hearing it once. They like to express a wide range of emotions in their words so might be harder to understand. They are usually quiet but can be very loud and dusk and dawn. Not only do they love talking, they love water even more!!



Mealy's on average are 15 inches tall at maturity, but some can be much larger. Weighing in between 2-4 pounds. Males are usually larger with larger heads and beaks. Mealy amazons are heavy bodied and care must be taken not to cut too many wing feathers during clipping. Excessive wing clippings can result in injury when falling. Mealy amazons are very active and should be provided the largest cage possible with plenty of time out to excersize.



Natural diet-Fruits(particularly figs), berries, nuts, flowers and buds.



Raises nape feathers and flairs tail when excited, also a good sign not to handle your mealy at this time. Only compatible with other amazons outside of breeding period. Very hardy and robust bird.



Reproduction-In nature mealy's nest in hollow trees or palm stumps. Mealy amazons are difficult to breed in captivity. Mealy's prodominately breed in the spring and have a limited breeding season. Breeding age is approximately 3-5 years. Clutch size is usually 3 eggs laid in three day intervals. Incubation period between 24-26 days. Fledging time of 10-12 weeks.

[Demeter]

I had typed this up for another board due to the lack of information anywhere on the mealy amazon, just thought I would post it here also for everyone to use. I will keep adding to it as I find out more info :)

[ThreeX]

Much appreciated!
One of my favorite zons but v. hard to find in Sweden..

[Joanie Doss]

Mealies are really great birds and I have known some very good talkers from this group. They are the largest Amazon commonly kept as pets. Their one
draw back is that they have a very loud voice so if you live in an apartment,
you may have problems with neighbors. In the jungle their voices carry for
over a mile.

Joanie Doss
The Amazing Amazons
Trick Training & Making Your Own Props
http://www.parrothouse.com/bodylanguage.html

[Machelle]

I ADORE my mealy!!! He's just awesome! I cant imagine being without him! Thanks for the info!!!

[Demeter]

OH YEAH, anytime anyone asks me if my mealy is loud I dont hold back. My guys can get beyond loud, not continuously, but wow, the only birds that I have found that can top my mealy's are Mullucans and Macaws. But their disposition makes their loudness easy for me to look over :)

[ThreeX]

How often do they demonstrate their impressive loudness? Is it like my BFA, daily, usually sometimes between 5 - 7PM or just once in a while?

[Demeter]

They do it daily, usually more when they are looking out windows....they will do their mealy scream a couple of times then be done with it. My oldest, who is spoiled rotten does do it when he can see me sometimes, but that is rare.

[ThreeX]

Funny, now that you mention it, Terry tends to scream more when he´s looking out the window/the balcony door is open/the seagulls gather on the lawn outside the house :)
I´d still love to own one someday, even though i have my work cut out for me with Terry (BFA) and Gandalf (CAG born june 25 -06) :)

[Demeter]

LOL, sometimes I think Hercules is screaming at the other birds outside, letting them know that it is his house :)