Amazons
Amazons
Operatic Intelligence
“Amazons are the operatically expressive parrots of aviculture — they sing, they yell, they mimic with theatrical commitment, and they have opinions about every visitor.”
The Amazon family covers ten species I keep, ranging from the 220-gram White-fronted up to the 700-gram Mealy. Lifespans of 50 to 70 years are realistic. They are intelligent, robust, generally hardy, and famously theatrical.
The ‘hot three’ (Yellow-naped, Double Yellow-headed, Blue-fronted) are the talking superstars and the most hormonally reactive. The softer Amazons (Mealy, Red-lored, Orange-winged) are easier first picks.
What Every Amazon Keeper Should Expect
Best Talkers
Yellow-naped, Double Yellow-headed, and Blue-fronted are the standout speech mimics. 50 to 150 words is realistic; some become genuinely conversational.
Hormonal Phase
Around four to seven years of age, particularly in spring, Amazons can become territorial and unpredictable. Respect the body language; the phase passes.
Robust and Hardy
Generally hardier than cockatoos or macaws when fed properly. The classic Amazon failure is obesity and fatty liver disease from seed-heavy diets.
An Amazon in full song is one of the great pleasures of aviculture. Just don’t expect it to ask before starting.
— Kalyn Bastion, Parrot Bliss
All Amazon Species
Looking for a Hand-Raised Amazon Species?
Parrot Bliss hand-raises a small number of amazons each year here in West Palm Beach, Florida. Every chick fed by Kalyn personally, weaned onto Harrison’s pellets, and placed only with families who genuinely understand what they’re taking on.