Common Disorders of Depending on classification, there are Amazon approximately 27 of Amazon • Malnutrition parrots (some with subspecies). Their native • Behavioral issues (screaming, aggression/biting) habitat ranges from South America to • Obesity • Feather destructive behavior amazons Northern Mexico. Nine species of Amazons • Vitamin A deficiency, resulting in discolored feathers, are from islands in the . sores and/or redness on the bottom of the feet, blunted Deforestation of their natural habitat and choanal papillae, sinusitis capture for the pet trade have greatly • Respiratory disease (sneezing, discharge from nares, reduced the numbers of these once common labored breathing, swollen eyes) species. Most free-ranging • Cardiovascular disease (enlarged heart, atherosclerosis) species are considered threatened or endan- • Liver disease • Amazon foot necrosis gered. Efforts to protect these have • Tumors (lipomas, papillomas) resulted in a ban on importation for pet pur- • Reproductive disorders (egg binding, cloacal protrusion) poses in the United States and Europe through CITES (Convention on Many diseases can be prevented with regular veterinary care, International Trade in Endangered Species). proper diet and housing. For these reasons, it is important to High quality companion birds are available develop a relationship with a veterinarian who is experienced from reputable breeders, in avian preventive care, medicine and surgery. For help in rescue organizations and avian sanctuaries. finding an avian veterinarian in your area, contact the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) by visiting Amazons have extroverted personalities and www.AAV.org and click on “Find a Vet” or contact the entertaining antics with profound talking American Board of Veterinary Practitioners by visiting abilities, but these birds don’t always enjoy www.ABVP.com/diplomate. being touched or “cuddled.” Some may be considered hyperactive or short-tempered. They are not recommended for first time owners and generally do not like to be around children.

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Companion Bird Care SERIESA What Your Veterinarian Looks for in a Healthy Amazon What to Expect from Your Amazon Parrot Dry, open Clear, bright eyes mazon parrots are known for their strong person- chew, toys must be free of toxic metals, hooks, sharp objects How to Keep Your nares (no discharge) alities, high intelligence and excellent ability to or small, easily consumed components. Providing chew toys Amazon Parrot Amimic. Double yellow-headed, yellow-naped and blue- or fresh-cut branches from nontoxic, pesticide-free trees may fronted Amazons seem to have the most potential for prevent some Amazons from destroying their perches as Healthy, Happy Smooth, bright feathers that are not ragged, discolored or broken talking, laughing, whistling, coughing or even imitating a quickly. Check with your veterinarian for recommendations and Safe! baby’s cry. The ability to “talk” on locally available, safe trees. ✓ Take your Amazon to your ital Statistics or imitate sounds is an veterinarian after purchase, then V Are Amazons Tame? once annually for examinations. Adult body length: 10-18 inches individual characteristic even Alert, erect Young, hand-fed Amazons adapt readily to new surroundings Smooth beak (25-46 cm) within a certain species. This  Provide stimulating environmental posture ability seems to be developed and handling procedures. They should be exposed early in enrichment by offering toys, social Adult body weight: 200-700 g life to novel situations (e.g., car travel, hospital visits, interaction and foraging Age of sexual maturity: 4-6 years best at an early age, probably opportunities. before the bird is 2 years old. multiple visitors in the household) so they are well adjusted Maximum life span: 80 years  Feed a fresh, high quality, toxin- Males may be easier to teach to these events. Adult Amazons tend to become bonded to certain individuals and exhibit territoriality and aggression free formulated diet with fresh Good body condition than females. As with other chopped fruits, vegetables and parrots, Amazons tend to be the most vocal in the early toward others. They learn quickly to use lunging or biting to whole grains according to the morning and late afternoon. They may also express relay their negative opinions. Discipline, leadership, patience, manufacturer’s recommendation. vocalization in a negative way by screaming. Although a sense of ritual and the offering of rewards are necessary to ✓ Provide clean, fresh uncontami- mealy, white-fronted and orange-winged Amazons are not as modify the behavior of Amazons. Even then, they are not nated drinking water and change Even pattern of skin lively and talkative as other species, they are usually completely trustworthy and may bite for no apparent frequently. Amazons can be on the feet trained to use a water bottle. regarded as more gentle and affectionate. Hand-raised blue- reason, especially after they reach sexual maturity.  fronted Amazons generally make good companions. Many birds enjoy bathing. Try How to Identify Your Bird providing a warm water bath, or Amazons occasionally escape outdoors, and permanent gently spaying with clean warm Nails of Is Your Amazon a Male or a Female? water daily if possible. In most Amazon species it is difficult to reliably distinguish identification may help to return birds to their owners. One appropriate method used to permanently identify your bird is  Avoid spraying house with length a male from a female based on physical characteristics; insecticides. therefore, laboratory methods using DNA technology may implantation of a microchip, as is performed in other pets. Housing for your Amazon should: be used for sex determination. Amazons are somewhat of a Some birds already have leg bands for identification. ✓ challenge to breed but the offspring are easy to hand feed. Although closed leg bands seldom cause injury, some owners be as large as possible. prefer to have them removed. ✓ be clean, secure and safe. What Should You Feed Your Amazon? ✓ be constructed of nontoxic Should Wing Feathers Be Clipped? Amazons are very curious and will investigate anything new in their environ- For a long, healthy life, Amazons should be fed a high material (some cages may contain ment. That is why it is important to prevent their access to: quality, toxin-free formulated diet. Supplementation may The decision to clip wings or allow free flight should be toxic metals, such as zinc). ✗ ✗ include chopped organic vegetables and fruit and whole made carefully. Birds allowed free flight benefit from ✓ contain variable-sized perches ceiling fans pesticides or chemical cleaners grains. Amazons are prone to obesity; therefore, food items exercise and mental stimulation; however, free flying birds made of clean, nontoxic, pesticide-  stove tops with hot burners, ✗ easily dismantled toys pans or skillets that are high in fat must be avoided. may be injured by hitting windows or ceiling fans or hurt by free wood or branches.  dogs, cats and unsupervised children encountering toxic materials. With careful planning and ✓ have easy-to-clean food and water ✗ fumes from overheated non-stick  sources of heavy metals, such as What Do Amazons Do All Day? training, some birds may be allowed free flight in a safe containers. cookware lead or zinc (stained glass windows, Amazons are more sedentary than other birds, so some effort area. The goal of clipping the wings is not to make the bird ✓ have perches not placed directly ✗ sandpaper-covered perches pewter, some mini-blinds or must be made to keep them active. An exceptionally large incapable of flight but to prevent it from developing rapid over food or water bowls. ✗ tobacco and cigarette smoke linoleum) enclosure would encourage them to move around more as and sustained flight and to prevent escape. Clipping must be ✓ offer opportunities for protected ✗ chocolate, avocado, salt, alcohol ✗ plug-in air fresheners would foraging stations, complex puzzle toys and other done carefully and tailored to each individual to prevent outdoor exposure to fresh air, ✗ toxic houseplants ✗ scented candles methods of preventing boredom. Because Amazons love to flight and injuries from falling. direct sunlight and exercise.

Photography by Miriam B. Walling/We Shoot Birds Text updated by AAV, 2015