Questions about orange winged amazons

[KDK241]

I have the opportunity to get a 20 year old orange wing amazon but I would like to know more about them before I make a decision. I have asked the owner tons of questions and he says that he is a friendly bird to both men and women, not a screamer or plucker and doesn't bite and is a great talker. Of course, he is only going to say the good things so I'm wondering what the bad can entail. How loud can they be? Also, what is the best diet for them? I have been looking to move my way up in the birdie world from tiels, would this be a good choice? I currently work from home and go to school 3 nights a week but there are 4 people living here so someone is always around & out of cage time is really not an issue. How long do they usually live? If I got this bird it would be forever but I'm just curious. Is there anything else I should know about them that I haven't thought of yet? Thanks!

[Lisa B]

I have had several amazons, and the orange wing is my favorite!
they tend to be more on the docile side, and do not talk as much as the other species,,,,,,,,,,,,nor have *I* found them as noisey.
I was owned by tiels, then got a blue crown conure, then went to the amazon. My Polly was one of the sweetest birds I have ever known.

the diet would be the same as the tiels, but of corse in large size. mine had a combination of pellets and seed. she loved human food too. she was a good eater till she got sick.

I think its a wonderful choice.

[Jessie Skiffen]

I have an 8 yr old orange wing. Talks very well. Eats anything and everything.
Amazons can live 80 years that's why people put them in their will. As far as noise--he does his amazon call early in the morning. The rest of the day he talks.
Jessie

[dani_L]

Orange wings are my absolute favourite. My 3 year old OWA Evie is a big chatter, likes singing and whistling and generally being a performer. She isn't overly loud either. She is my snuggle bunny, and is generally a sweet, loving, affectionate girl, if a little bossy :) She's a good eater, not as enthusiastic an eater as my b&g, but she eats lots of fresh fruit and veggies. She loves playing and interacting and doing 'people stuff' with her mama and her human family.

I've met a lot of OWAs also, because they are a native bird to Trinidad where I live, and they are definitely fun, sociable birds with lots of personality, and i happen to think that OWAs have the sweetest facial expressions. they get a bad reputation for being one of the 'less interesting' Amazons but that's totally untrue. I wouldn't trade my Evie girl (snuggled now in my lap) for any other bird in the world. hope this helps!!!

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by dani_L

i happen to think that OWAs have the sweetest facial expressions. !

they do, dont they?

[Suesue]

I have an orange wing and I love him. He can say about 250 words and is about 13 now.

I did have another one that was given to us and was said to be about 2 he was so mean he drew blood all the time. After 5 years of trying I finally found him a new home. I just didn't know the background so maybe he was abused. I would spend a little time with him first to make sure he adjust to you in his home setting.

[KDK241]

Unfortunantly he found a different home but thanks for the info! Next time I come across one, I will definitely consider it...I don't see them too often though.

[berger232004]

Hi all xx I recently acquired a OWA three weeks ago, he is apparently five years old and I am his fourth owner already. My friend's mum couldn't handle him alongside her african grey who she has had for years, she took him in from a family who apparently neglected his needs. The owners before to moved to Australia.............
So here I am, ive had two tiels so i thought the time would be right. Gizmo is adorable, lets me touch and scratch his head and feet, takes food from everybody. In three weeks he looks much better, but as ive read has become more noisy particuarly when we come home from work. I know the last owners let him in and out of the cage as he pleased and im beginning to wonder if this has caused the problems im seeing now ??
Does anyone have any suggestions how to calm Gizmo down when we come in, i know he is excited and i do attempt to make life as interesting as possible for him in his cage when he is on his own xx

[Sashagirl]

I was owned by an OWA years ago.I named her Iris I didn't know her age or anything but she was such a sweetheart.Where is Gizmo located in your home?That makes a big reason for why the noise increases.I have quite a flock myself which includes 3 Amazons one is a YNA and 2 BFA's.The 2 BFA's used to make so much noise until one day I figured out it was their location.So I relocated them to the birdroom and the noise level is much better.

Marcia