OWA owners!! :D

[sanni]

Hello!!

At first I want to say that don't care of my bad english, I can't write or speak it very well... ;)

I've got 8 budgies now, and I'm starting to raise them, too. Now I have thought that maybe I could take some kind of bigger parrot. I spoked to my parents about this and they promised to think about it. We've thinking this about a year now and now I think that we could be ready to take a bird, and we've thought that orange-winged amazon might be "our bird". I'm fourteen years now and it's pretty young age to take something so hard bird that OWA, but my parents will help me. They promised to take the finall responsibility off the parrot. My whole family knows, how hard it might maybe be sometimes and so on... But we haven't do our decision yet. It's very big step in our life, anyway...

But all you, OWA owners, I want to hear all your opinions about this and if you could tell me your own experients with OWAs, I would be very grateful.

I want to say sorry again of my very bad English... I'm from Finland and I've studied English about 5 years now, and still it't quite difficult. But, I'm learning something new about it, every day ;D

-sanni

[LtlWngdAngl]

Let me start by saying that your english, in written form, is very good for the amount of time you've been studying English. GOOD JOB! KEEP IT UP!

The problem that you might have with getting an Amazon is, who's going to keep it and take financial responsibility when you move out on your own? Amazons can live for 70 years. Also, Amazons take A LOT more time, attention, and care than smaller birds. If you've thought about all of this and have some answers for them, then, by all means get one. but, PLEASE, make sure you're ready for this commitment!

[The Outlaw]

I don't have an Orange wing zon, but I do have a Yellow Nape hen that is very sweet. With all amazons, sexing is very important. Since you have no big bird experience, it is essential that you obtain ONLY a DNA sexed female. The Orange wings are wonderful and pretty docile, as amazons go. However, the females are less aggressive.

If you are truly commited to owning a lovely Amazon for the rest of your life, then by all means, with the help of your parents, go meet some birds. Please, however, only consider female birds. I like the males, but some can be very difficult and indeed dangerous during hormonal periods.

Do remember that as with all larger parrots, cage size and toys are very important. You'll need a cage NO LESS than 36"x24" by 36"tall. Make sure that you investigate carefully the amazons special needs. They tend to get fat easily and you must restrict how much seed you offer. Also, they tend to be fairly sedentary. Amazons are the divas of the parrot world. Most love music and like to talk and sing. Keep us posted. Good luck.

THE OUTLAW

[sanni]

Yep, we are thought all those things, like where bird goes when I leave away from home... Besides, we'll think this very closely before we do any decisions.

I've found an OWA raiser who does DNA-testing for his all parrot babies, so that will make sure that our parrot will be female ;)

Thanks a lot for your help, It's very important ^_^

[skyrat]

I have had the pleasure of sharing my home with two OWA's at different times. My first was Maynard - I have no idea how old he was, but he loved to sit on my shoulder in the mornings, during the day, and in the evenings. haha Max, our present OWA, is about 7 or 8 years old. He came to share our house with Boo, a B&G, a little over a year ago. One thing I have to say about OWA's is that they are full of personality! They can be loud and ear shattering - and not known for their talking ability. Maynard would make the sounds of coffee pouring in a cup, the faucet running and soda fizzing - but wouldn't say a word. Max doesn't imitate sounds, but does say "hello Max". haha He mostly does trilling and really pretty whistles. Max likes my husband, but doesn't have much use for me. (Could it be that I am the evil wing clipper?)

[rpopebirdz]

I too want to say WELL DONE on your english. Don't worry about it your doing fine just keep trying.

Do listen to The Outlaw. Most any of the Amazon males are VERY aggressive during hormonal seasons whether they are mated or not.

Please choose carefully. They all take an enormous amout of love and attention. Birds are life long friends, not just pets.