Breeding Amazons In Captivity

By Dale R. Thompson Canyon Country, California Introduction

he group of known a total ban, of wild-caught both in literature and in personal Tas Amazons has been very imports, the importance of repro­ communication, that Amazons are popular for many years. Their pet ducing the Amazon group is even difficult to breed. This statement qualities have been noticed for more critical. is made in general and not for centuries. One only has to remem­ The purpose of this paper is the individual pair. Amazons are ber the green in Treasure to give captive reproductive tech­ being produced but not in ade­ Island. Zoos and parks niques for the more common quate numbers. For years the have used Amazons in their shows (often labeled as commercial) Am­ Double Yellow-headed Amazon depicting their intelligence and azon species. But the guidelines was the most commonly repro­ personalities. can also be used for the Amazon duced Amazon. The census of Why the popularity of Ama­ species that are both rare in cap­ both Traffic USA 1990/1992 and zons? Why has the demand tivity and in the wild. the Amazona Society shows this become so great that literally hun­ The common Amazon species clearly. But many pairs ofAmazons dreds of Amazons of several include the Yellow-crowned, do not produce anything but frus­ species have been illegally smug­ Amazona o. ochrocephala; Dou­ tration. Many will not even inspect gled across the Mexico/USA ble Yellow-headed, A. o. oritrix; the nest box while others lay in­ border? It is because of the 'Am­ Yellow-naped, A. o. auropalliata, fertile eggs, often breaking them. azon Personality.' This group of Blue-fronted, A. aestiva; Red­ Even though I feel a combina­ parrots has endeared itself to the lored, A. autumnalis; Orange­ tion of avicultural gUide-lines will human intellect because of their Winged, A. amazonicaj Mealy greatly enhance the production of beautiful coloration, their outgo­ (group), A. farinosa; Green­ Amazons in the next few years, ing, often clownish characteristics cheeked (Mexican Red-head), A. the main emphasis should be in and their great ability to mimic viridigenalis; Lilac-crowned, A. the area of the Amazons' diet and the human voice and many other finschi; and White-fronted, A. al­ exercise. sounds. Some Amazons can have bifrons. Acquisition over a hundred word vocabulary. In my opinion the captive re­ Because so many Amazons en­ The operatic singing Amazon is productive success of the Amazon tered the pet trade, it is from this always a favorite in any show. group of parrots is one of the group that most Amazons are now Phillip Samuelson, consulting poorest among the common par­ being acqUired for breeding. Many technical editor of Bird Talk mag­ rot groups now bred in captivity breeders feel that pet Amazons are azine has written several excellent (i.e. , greys, cockatoos, a safer choice medically. They gen­ articles on the Amazon parrot in­ eclectus, etc.). By this I mean the erally have been kept in captivity cluding 'Amazon Antics' (Bird numbers of young produced com­ for several years and thus have pared to the total number of pairs Talk, August 1990) and 'Popular been isolated- from so many of the Amazon Parrots' (Bird Talk, July set up for breeding. The Traffic, avian viruses and other medical 1992). Bird Talk readership has USA's (World Wildlife Fund) 1991 problems. Whether newly ac­ responded with hundreds of let­ Psittacine Captive Breeding Sur­ quired Amazons have been ters on the popularity of pet vey by Kirt A. Johnson, seems to purchased from other breeders, Amazons. bear this out. Though a small rep­ zoos, import stations of pet own­ Large numbers of Amazons resentative of the total, it contains ers, they all should be quarantined have been imported over the past the best census numbers ever pub­ before they enter your breeding years, but serious efforts towards lished. The Amazon group had facility. reproducing the common Ama­ very low reproductive rates for zons has only just begun. This both the total pairs set up and Sexing Amazons does not in any way disregard the the total numbers of proven pairs. With the exception of the efforts of many serious Amazon All Amazon species showed less White-fronted Amazon, all Ama~ breeders, but the total numbers than one baby hatched for every zons should be sexed. Although of captive reared Amazons now pair set up for breeding with the behavior, with the head size and being bred falls seriously short of exception of the Double Yellow­ color intensity are often used to the demand. With the threat of headed which had 1.049 hatch/set sex Amazons, they are only indi­ continued smuggling and the se­ up pairs. cators. Accurate sexing should be rious reduction, for many parrot Statements have been made, done either by: afa WATCHBIRD 13 • Laparoscopic sexing: This is infertile egg-laying mate. gether. a surgical procedure done Amazons should have the op­ H()using by an avian veterinarian portunity to choose their own where a small incision is mates. Because of the aggressive As most Amazons have a pro­ made on the left side of the nature of many male Amazons, al­ pensity to gamIng weight bird. A laparoscope is in­ most no one puts several Amazons (especially the larger species), it serted and the sex is visually in a large flight for mate choosing. is important to give them space determined. This method al­ Most breeders will 'force pair' to exercise. Although Amazons sel­ dom fly, but would rather crawl lows for a qUick answer for their Amazons by placing any two beak to foot, it is still important the sex of your bird, but ofthe opposite sex together. the bird must be several to give them activity space. There It is very unwise to flock new should be a sound combination of months old to assure accu­ Amazons together during their rate sexing. correct diet and sufficient exercise breeding season. They should be for the successful reproduction of • Feather sexing: A blood placed together in a large flight Amazons. I have seen many Am­ feather (sometimes several only in the fall and early winter. azon pairs kept in three foot cube are needed) is used to de­ Flocking Amazons should only be cages. Although this may be suf­ termine the chromosomes. done when the natural or artificial ficient for the very small species The blood fea'ther is placed light is decreasing. August to early and larger Amazons have been in a special medium and December for Amazons which are found to breed in this size cage, sent to a lab. Lab: Avian Ge­ kept outdoors, It is also unwise I feel larger cages are important netics SeXing Laboratory, to flock Amazons when only two for overall increased Amazon pro­ Marc Valentine, 6551 Stage males are included with several duction. Coach Drive, Suite 3A, Bart­ females. A minimum of three Ramon Noegel from Seffner, less, TN 38134. males is best as each male is then Florida, who is best known for his • Blood sexing: Blood taken out-numbered. When only two work with endangered Amazons from a clipped toenail is males are present, they will often including the St. Vincent Amazon, used to determine the sex. conflict with each other trying to worked with the suspended cage This is also a chromo-some establish dominance. over twenty years ago. The sus­ test. A vial of blood is The pair bonding flight should pended cage is now used placed in ethanol alcohol as not contain any nest boxes as then everywhere and is ideal for Am­ a fixative and sent to a spe­ normal hormone levels may be in­ azon breeding. A completely cial lab. Lab: Zoogen, Ioc., creased. There should be plenty wired cage is suspended above Joy Halverson, DVM, 1105 of perch space and several feeding the ground either by supports Kennedy Place, Suite 4, and watering stations placed in dif­ from the ceiling beams or elevated Davis, CA 95616. ferent areas of the flight. I have by pipes or wooden supports from used a bonding flight measuring the ground. Usually a larger wire The latter two methods do not 12 ft. square x 8 ft. high and one grid is used on the bottom, so require any invasive surgical pro­ measuring 8 ft. wide x 16 ft. long that old food and fecal matter can cedure. They are more costly than x 8 ft. high. It is important to give drop completely through to the the laparoscope method and two plenty of space when flocking Am­ floor. to three weeks are needed to get azons. I also band all males on the Recommended sizes are taken a result. right leg and females on the left. from very successful Amazon Magic markers are used to mark breeders. The best include John C()lll]J2lti1>ilitlr the birds if needed. Most of the and Pat Stoodley from England, Amazons can be quite different time it is easy to identify Amazons noted for their extensive work than most of the other South by their size and color differences. with and Amazons, who American parrot species (macaws, Studies have shown that Amazon have two sizes of Amazon cages. Pionus and conures) when it pairs in the wild have a very high The small to medium sized Am­ comes to their mate choosing be­ percentage of fertility. Captive Am­ azons are kept in horizontal 3 ft. havior. Many sexed Amazon pairs azon pairs are known to have a wide x 6 ft. long x 3 ft. high cages get along but will not breed as low percentage. A very good Am­ while the medium to large species they are not truly bonded. They azon breeder estimates that are kept in 3 ft. wide by 8 ft. will sleep side by Side, but can infertility could be as high as 50% long x 3 ft. high cages. The often be seen at opposite ends in U.S. aviculture. Wild Amazon Stoodleys do not have set sizes of their cage during the active pairs get to choose their mates for certain speCies. They observe hours. Other pairs have males that while captive pairs are most often the pairs and know their needs. are very pushy and aggressive to 'forced.' If one bird of a certain pair tends their mates, perhaps not to the Correctly bonded captive Ama­ to become overweight, a larger point of hurting her, but the dy­ zons show a great deal of cage is prOVided. If a certain pair namics of this type of pair is a togetherness. They defend their shows signs of increased mate ag­ very submissive female who often territory together with the males gression, they are moved to a cage shows fear. There are many pairs being the more aggressive. They with more internal space. that have a sluggish male with an preen, wing-stretch and eat to- I personally have kept all Am-

14 May/June 1995 azon species in 3 ft. wide x 6-8 mote defensive attitudes. producing every year. ft. long x 4 ft. high cages. The Amazon nests can be made of suspended height of these cages Nest Boxes thick pine wood or thick (two is very important. All Amazons I feel Amazons should have nest inches) wood planks. I do not rec­ should be able to look down on boxes made of wood. If cheWing ommend plywood, unless it is very their keeper. When they are on material in the form of pine wood thick as it is easier to peel and their perches, they should be well is not supplied at all times to Am­ strip away. Vertical nest boxes are above the eye level of any person azons, they will destroy their most often used, although boot, approaching their cage. Two nests. At Aviculture Institute an slant and Z boxes are sometimes perches are used for each cage average of one to three wooden offered. Sizes range from aD) 12 and are kept at different heights. nests had to be replaced in any . in. x 12 in. x 36 in. to 8 in. x The rear perch (made of eucalyp­ given year in a collection of over 8 in. x 18 in. I was surprised at tus) by the nest is elevated two 50 pairs of Amazons. This collec­ how small and narrow John to four inches above the forward tion had an average of 35 pair Stoodley's Amazon nest boxes perch (made of 2 in. x 4 in. pine). The birds can easily chew the pine perch and it also can easily be replaced being in the front of the cage. All cages should be designed CONTROL DISEASE so no human hand can enter it. WITH Amazons are very territorial and if any hand or fingers become ac­ VfittODlttE V.18 cessible, they will often be VfittODUtE Vol8 IS AN IODINE BASED DISINFECTANT-CLEANER attacked or bitten. All food and IN CONCENTRATED FORM, THAT HELPS CONTROL DISEASE IN THE water bowls should be placed PRESENCE OF ALL WARM BLOODED CREATURES. SAFE - NON-TOXIC, NO NOXIOUS FUMES, NO HEAVY ODORS. through small external openings in the front part of the cage. En­ ECONOMICAL - ONLY ONE TSP. PER GALLON OF WATER. tering an Amazon's cage space can TIME SAVER - NO RINSING REQUIRED. often produce unseen anxiety EFFECTIVE - TESTED AND PROVEN AGAINST - E. COLI ­ which in turn can possibly add - STAPH - SALMONELLA - STREP - PSEUDOMONAS - CANDIDA - to increased male aggression and - ASPERGILLUS - AND MANY MORE! - infertility. I have found that solid visual 8 OZ. EASY PUMP DISPENSER -- $16.95 8 OZ. REFILL -- $14.95 partitions placed between Amazon MAKES 32 GALLONS breeding cages helps in decreasing 16 OZ. EASY PUMP DISPENSER -- $21.95 16 OZ. REFILL -- $19.95 MAKES 64 GALLONS any aggression caused by seeing 32 OZ. EASY PUMP DISPENSER -- $30.95 32 OZ. REFILL -- $28.95 neighbors in an adjacent cage. If MAKES 128 GALLONS this cannot be done, the rear half 1GALLON EASY PUMP DISPENSER -- $76.95 or third should be visually blocked MAKES 512 GALLONS so each Amazon pair can feel more secure around their nest box. RECOMMEttDED FOR WfiSHlttG CfiGES. FLIGHTS. If several pairs of Amazons are ttEST BOXES. FOOD & WfiTER VESSELS. ETC. housed in one building, I recom­ mend separating like species and • [VISA] iii subspecies. This is especially true if they can observe each other. I ----ViSA, MASTERCARD, AND DISCOVER ACCE'PTED ---- feel that the ochracephala group TO ORDER BY PHOttE CfiLL TOLL FREE 1-800-364-3431 of Amazons do better if not kept PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING & HANDLING IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. next to each other. Placing pairs TO ORDER BY MAIL - MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO of Blue-fronteds, Red-Ioreds, Mex­ FIRETHORti SOPPLY ican Red-heads and even Pionus UTAH RESIDENTS ADD 6.125% SALES TAX between Double Yellow-headed PLEASE SUPPLY COMPLETE STREET ADDRESS FOR DELIVERY and/or Yellow-nape pairs will help C.O.D. ORDERS O.K. ($4.50 U.P.S. FEE APPLIES) to eliminate any aggressive behav­ ior between the males in adjoining FIRETHORN SOPPLY PHONE: 801-364-3420 cages. In fact, I would keep all 165 REGENT STREET FAX: 801-364-1409 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84111-1903 ochracephala subspecies sepa­ rated. I have observed behavioral fiLSO fiVfilLABLE : BRIGHT & HEfiLTHYTM SPIROLlttfi disturbances between adjoining fittD ORGfittlC WHEfiTGRfiSS POWDER. Double Yellow-headed and Yel­ -CALL FOR PRICES- low-nape pairs. The yellow head coloration may be enough to pro-

afa WATCHBIRD 15 were. They were made of thick incubation process as most cock­ When placed in captivity, Am­ (modified two inches) wood atoos do. In the normal Amazon azons become very sedentary. planks and were either 8 in. x 8 nesting process the male defends Unlike macaws and conures, cap­ in. or 10 in. x 12 in. on the inside the nest Vigorously and can usually tive Amazons do not maintain an widths and were 16 in. to 20 in. be found just outside the nest even weight naturally by burning deep. opening. During the first week or excess weight through exercise The entrance holes of Amazon two the male generally feeds the and nervous energy. Although the nests should be narrow. I have female who in turn feeds the medium and large Amazon species them made to just fit the diameter young. The female will then spend seem to have more problems with of the largest bird of the pair. progressively more time outside being overweight in captivity, this Sometimes the male can be seen the nest and both parents partic­ also occurs in small species. to physically squeeze through the ipate in feeding the young. Most Pet Amazons are especially opening. The hole should be this Amazon breeders will either re­ prone to being overweight as they small to assist the female in keep­ move eggs for artificial incubation are often clipped and given a rich, ing the male from entering the or remove the young between high carbohydrate diet. As many nest chamber after she has laid seven and 14 days of age. pet Amazons are used as breeders her eggs. So many Amazon eggs Incubation can either be done (after they become unmanage­ are broken or eaten because the by artificial incubation, parental able) their weight problems are male has disturbed the incubating incubation or by foster incubation. even more noticeable. mate. This advise is not given for Fertile Amazon eggs can be fos­ Obesity can be a detriment to the successful pairs, but for the tered to infertile egg laying the overall health of a parrot. Mur­ problem pairs. Why work so hard Amazon pairs or given to non-re­ ray E. Fowler, DVM in his article to get fertile eggs only to have lated species such as Pionus. 'Nutrition in Injured and Diseased them broken. This is also true for Amazons also can be good foster Birds' (proceedings of the Avian some pairs where one or the other parents of non-related species Pediatric Seminar-January 28, will chew a newly hatched baby. such as macaws. It was a delight 1990) wrote, "This can compro­ to see a four week Great Green mise these birds during an illness Reproduction (Buffon's) being raised by episode because obesity can de­ Amazons are very seasonal with a Yellow-crowned Amazon pair, press the body's resistance to their outdoor season generally run­ owned by John Stoodley. insulin and impair the output of ning from March to July. There Amazons, as with any psitta­ growth hormone. Obesity must is an occasional pair that will cines, often have to learn also be considered as a stressor hatch young earlier or later. This parenting techniques when they because there is an increased pro­ is more true for pairs located in are new at it. I have made a policy duction of adrenocorticosteroids. high humidity areas. Many in Cal­ to allow my parrots time to be­ Fatty infiltration of the liver may ifornia and other non-tropical come good parents. If they feed inhibit the production of B vita­ states will get only one and pos­ poorly the first time, I will pull mins and the metabolism of other sibly two clutches from their the babies early and you'd be sur­ nutrients." No wonder many of Amazons each year, while Florida prised to see how the parents our Amazons do not breed! This breeders may get two and possibly become better the next time. is an excellent article to re-read three clutches. and hopefully trigger one's moti­ Most large Amazons (and many Diet vation to trim down obesity-prone of the medium to small species) Although many factors are parrots. Then supply a nutrition­ become increasingly defensive needed for successful Amazon re­ ally balanced diet! when their breeding season ap­ production, the dietary require­ The term obesity well describes proaches and this continues ments are probably the decisive many of our Amazons. Many do through the nesting period. Males factor. not become slightly overweight, will often visit the nest box first Amazons are heavy bodied par­ but become supremely over­ thus encouraging their mates. rots with 'rounded' Wings. In the weight. There is then a period of time wild they can be seen flying with All newly acqUired Amazons when both birds can be seen vis­ rapid Wing beats and generally in should be weighed upon receiving iting the box followed by the a straight line. They are not soar­ them. This is the basis of knOWing laying and incubation period when ing birds and when turns are done how much is lost on a monitored only the female is in the box. This they do them quickly and sharply. weight-loss program. Appearances courtship varies between species In the Wild, Amazons often fly can often be deceiving. and even between pairs of the long distances to forage for food. Any weight-loss program for same species. Depending upon the ripening of Amazons should be started in the After an incubation period rang­ the different frUits, berries, palm non-breeding season. This way, ing between 21 and 28 days the nuts, etc., Amazons will frequent any weigh-ins will not disturb any young begin hatching at intervals. many different areas. They also chances for reproduction. A This is because the female does now depend on cultivated crops, weight loss program should not not begin the incubation process often raiding maize fields. Ama­ be drastic; it often will take sev­ with the first egg laid. The Amazon zons, in their native habitats, are eral months. Overall weight losses male does not participate in the very trim and solid in muscle tone. of 8 to 10% are very common for 16 May/June 1995 the larger pet Amazons and some and brought to boil in the morning amounts of food to my Amazon males may need more. I have for 20 minutes. pairs by 50%. Each pair is treated found males tend to become more The ingredients for my Amazon differently. Some need continued obese than females. This may be diet does include some high car­ weight monitoring while others why so many female Amazons will bohydrate ingredients but it is fed may not even have a weight prob­ visit the nest box alone and lay in limited quantities. A mainte­ lem. Dominating males or even the infertile eggs, while outside the nance diet for a breeding pair of occasional female who consume lethargic male is disinterested. Double Yellow-headeds is 1/2 cup most of the food while pushing Dry seeds are easy to feed to of the soft food diet, 1/2 teaspoon away a mate, should be fed with parrots, but they can be disadvan­ of parakeet mix and a fresh fruit separate bowls in two far corners. tageous to Amazons. Oil or vegetable (apple, carrot, citrus When I observe this behaVior, I producing seeds (sunflower and fruit only once a week, etc.). This seriously consider re-bonding the safflower) should be eliminated sounds like a small amount, but pair. Good producing pairs feed from the Amazon diet. I have it does maintain their weight. Vi­ together. found that Amazons can gain tamins, calcium and minerals (all weight on dry parakeet mix (ca­ in a dry powder form) are mixed Conclusion nary, millet and oat groats) even into the soft food every day. The importance in Amazon when it is fed with a soft food This food is increased in volume breeding management can not be diet. Amazons metabolize foods when babies are due to hatch. stressed enough. With such a low differently when compared to Other foods are added during the production rate of many Amazons other large parrots. For instance, baby-feeding process and these in­ now in captivity, we must all begin a very successful African Grey Par­ clude many oil and high fat to make corrective changes. With rot breeding facility feeds a 100% content foods such as corn-on-the­ the importation ban of most Am­ pelletized diet and hundreds of cob. This is not the time to skimp azons, the smuggling of these baby Greys are produced. The on any food items or the total delightful birds is bound to in­ same diet in the same amounts amount. crease. A true deterrent for this are also fed to many types of Am­ As I do encounter cold winters would be to supply the pet de­ azon pairs and their production in the high desert area of Southern mand of Amazons with captive rate is under 5%. What is surpris­ California (20 to 60 days with bred birds. But to do this, we must ing is that very few even laid night temperatures dropping increase our production through infertile eggs; most did not lay below freeZing) I increase the total better management. :+ eggs at all. There are many types of parrot diets, but Amazons should be given foods that are low in fat­ ~@@W~fJ prodUcing ingredients. Even a fJ{J nutritionally balanced parrot diet may put weight on an Amazon if CROP NEEDLES it is fed in too much quantity. If Straight, Curved &.. Custom-made Needles there is any food left in the bowl available. All reusable. of an Amazon pair in my collec­ tion, I reduce the total amount. Bonivet Plexi Syringe The follOWing is a parrot diet that • Unbreakable I feed to all of my parrots: Sterilisable to 160 degrees C Soak and Cook-45% • Exchangeable Luer (mixed by a seed mill) Lock Adaptor Rolled Corn-20% • Spare Washers (flushed under a water faucet) Available Pigeon Mix-lO% (cooked) Canary Seed-5% (soaked or cooked) Extruded Diet-15% (Pretty Bird Breeder Select) An easy &.. economical solu­ tion to a recurrent problem Birdy Banquet-5% (Pretty Bird) in bird treatment Ingredients of Soak and Cook: Aval/able In various Soy Beans-45% sizes &. quantities. Peas-15% • Popcorn-5% Local &.. Overseas Agents and Distributors required Winter Red Wheat-15% ~[3WO(K] @@@)@)W Paddy Rice-20% 117 Goollelal Dr, Kingsley, WA 6026 AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL PH/FAX +61 9 309 9321 ABKiC> Soak and Cook is soaked overnight

afa WA TCHBIRD 17