Green-cheeked Amazon
An endangered Mexican Amazon with a brilliant red crown, an enthusiastic voice, and a need for thoughtful homes.
Origin
Northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz); feral populations in southern California, Texas and Florida.
Lifespan
50–70 years
With proper nutrition & care
Size
12–13 inches
270–380 g
Quick Facts
| Origin | Northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz); feral populations in southern California, Texas and Florida. |
|---|---|
| Size | 12–13 inches |
| Weight | 270–380 g |
| Lifespan | 50–70 years |
| Care level | Intermediate |
| Noise level | Moderate to loud |
| Talking ability | Good |
| Beginner-friendly | 4/10 |
The Bird
Green-cheeked Amazon at a Glance
The Green-cheeked Amazon (Amazona viridigenalis) — also called the Red-crowned or Mexican Red-headed Amazon — is one of the most striking parrots of the Amazon family. A vivid red crown, soft blue-violet wash behind the eye, and the green cheeks that lend the species its common name make this bird unmistakable in person. Kalyn, who breeds parrots here in West Palm Beach, considers them among the most colourful Amazons she has ever raised.
Their wild range is restricted to a narrow band of northeastern Mexico, where deforestation and the historic pet trade have driven numbers down sharply. The species is now listed on CITES Appendix I and classed as endangered. Florida residents may well have spotted feral flocks screeching across suburban skies — descendants of birds released decades ago — but Kalyn is clear that these are not, and never should be, a source of pet parrots.
Every Green-cheeked Amazon offered through Parrot Bliss is captive-bred with full CITES documentation. Kalyn screens prospective owners carefully, because while these birds form remarkable bonds and learn to chatter cheerfully alongside their families, they also bring the famous Amazon temperament — and that demands a guardian who understands what they are taking on.
Green-cheeked Amazons are bold, sociable and gloriously full of themselves. Kalyn finds them confident from the nest box onwards — youngsters that step up readily, investigate everything, and quickly decide which family members are theirs. A well-socialised bird becomes a true companion, often choosing one or two favourite people while remaining civil with the wider household.
That confidence has a flip side. Like all Amazons, this species goes through what aviculturists call the "hot flash" — a hormonal phase, typically arriving with sexual maturity around four to six years, when an otherwise sweet bird may become territorial, nippy or unpredictable for short bursts. Kalyn talks every buyer through this stage before a bird leaves her aviary; understanding it, rather than being blindsided by it, is the difference between a lifelong relationship and a returned parrot.
Outside those moments they are clever, playful, and surprisingly observant. They thrive on routine and interaction, sulk if ignored, and reward consistent handling with decades of devotion. Kalyn rates their cuddliness at a moderate five — they are not lap parrots in the cockatoo sense, but they very much want to be where their people are.
Vocalization & Talking
This is a vocal Amazon. Green-cheeks greet the sunrise and the sunset with enthusiastic flock calls, and in between they chatter, whistle, and mimic whatever catches their ear. Kalyn rates their noise level at a seven — manageable in a detached home, less suitable for a apartment with shared walls.
On the talking side they are genuinely accomplished. Many learn a working vocabulary of words and short phrases, and they tend to deliver them with comedic timing and the unmistakable Amazon swagger. Kalyn has raised birds that mimic the kettle, the doorbell, and the family dog with equal enthusiasm.
Owners should expect twice-daily “flock-call” sessions of several minutes each, and accept that a healthy Amazon will simply be loud sometimes. Trying to suppress it tends to backfire; channelling it into talking practice, foraging toys and out-of-cage play works far better.
Diet
Kalyn weans every Green-cheeked Amazon onto a high-quality pellet base — Harrison's, TOPs or Roudybush — which should make up roughly 60–70% of the daily ration. Pellets give a consistent nutritional floor that an all-seed diet simply cannot match, and Amazons in particular benefit from that consistency.
The remainder of the diet is fresh produce, with a deliberate emphasis on vitamin A-rich foods: dark leafy greens, sweet potato, butternut squash, carrot, red bell pepper and the occasional papaya or mango. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the more common nutritional problems Kalyn sees referred from other homes, and it is almost entirely preventable at the chopping board.
Seeds and nuts are treats, not staples. A few almonds, a brazil nut, or a small portion of seed mix used for training rewards keeps an Amazon engaged without tipping them into obesity — another condition this species is prone to. Fresh water is changed at least twice daily.
Health & Lifespan
Green-cheeked Amazons are robust birds when fed and housed correctly, but there are species-specific conditions every owner should know. Kalyn recommends a baseline avian-vet examination within the first fortnight of a bird coming home, and an annual wellness check thereafter.
- Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) — a zoonotic bacterial infection presenting with respiratory signs, lethargy and lime-green droppings.
- Aspergillosis — a fungal respiratory disease often linked to damp bedding or poor ventilation.
- Papillomatosis — wart-like lesions of the cloaca and oral cavity, more common in Amazons than many other genera.
- Vitamin A deficiency — causing poor feather quality, sinus infections and white plaques in the mouth; almost always diet-driven.
- Obesity and fatty liver disease — a serious risk in seed-heavy households and under-exercised birds.
It is worth repeating: the feral Californian and Floridian flocks are not a source of pet birds. Wild-caught Amazons carry pathogens, lack documentation, and their removal is illegal under CITES Appendix I. Always work with a board-certified avian vet — the Association of Avian Veterinarians directory is the standard starting point.
Housing
The minimum cage Kalyn will sign off on for a Green-cheeked Amazon is 36 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 36 inches tall, with 1-inch bar spacing. Bigger is always better; this is a stocky, active parrot that uses every inch of horizontal space it is given.
Inside the cage she fits a variety of natural-wood perches of differing diameters, two or three foraging toys rotated weekly, and a generous food and water station positioned away from perches to keep things clean. A play stand or T-perch outside the cage gives the bird somewhere to be when the family is in the room.
Plan for three to four hours of supervised out-of-cage time every day. Amazons that are kept caged for long stretches develop screaming habits, feather-destructive behaviour and obesity in short order. Natural light, a consistent twelve-hour sleep schedule, and a quiet covered corner at night round out a setup this species genuinely thrives in.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Green-cheeked Amazons good for first-time parrot owners?
Kalyn rates them a four out of ten for beginners. They are intelligent and rewarding, but the Amazon hot-flash phase, their volume, and a 50–70 year lifespan mean she prefers to place them with owners who already have parrot experience or who have done substantial homework before bringing one home.
- Can I buy a Green-cheeked Amazon from the wild Florida flocks?
No. The species is on CITES Appendix I, which makes capture from feral or wild populations illegal, and wild birds carry disease risks and welfare concerns that captive-bred chicks do not. Every bird Kalyn places is captive-bred with full documentation.
- What is the Amazon "hot flash" and how do I handle it?
It is a hormonal phase, usually arriving around four to six years of age, where an otherwise affectionate bird may become territorial or nippy in short bursts. Kalyn coaches buyers to read body language, avoid shoulder time during peaks, keep the bird on a steady sleep and diet schedule, and ride it out rather than punish it.
- How loud is a Green-cheeked Amazon really?
Loud enough that Kalyn does not recommend them for apartments with shared walls. Expect enthusiastic flock-calling at dawn and dusk and occasional outbursts during the day. In a detached home with neighbours at a reasonable distance, the volume is very manageable.
- How long do Green-cheeked Amazons live?
With proper diet, housing and veterinary care, 50–70 years is realistic. Kalyn asks every buyer to think carefully about succession planning — this is a bird that may well outlive its first owner.