99% decided on getting a amazon... but...

[becaroonie]

http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/

 

[Spiritbird]

Please be sure before taking an Amazon into your life. There are so many unwanted ones in rescue organizations. They are fantastic birds in the hands of an experienced person. If you have any doubts at all I would hold off until you feel comfortable with the idea.

 

[SharonC]

Your fear is the same as mine was, before I took the plunge and got Freddie. I find that the Amazons, including the Yellow Naped, may have a rep that they don't deserve. The Yellow Naped is one of the "hot three" , and Fred is a Yellow Naped. My experience is that Fred has bitten me, hard enough to leave a bruise...but this was when I first got him. He loves and trusts me now, and no longer bites. He's easy to "read" and I respect that he has opinions on what he wants to do. I don't force him to "come out" or "step up" when he doesn't want to, unless I really need him to comply. I do find that Fred requires a certain "firmness" when it comes to rules. I don't stray from my rules for him, as he seems to be the type that would take advantage...I think Amazons need to know what is acceptable behavior, and what is not. Fred likes to please me, which makes things easier.
There are many types of Amazon parrots, and some are more mellow than others. If I remember correctly, The Mealy Amazon has a more mellow temperament.

 

[becaroonie]

Yea... How long did it take him to stop?

 

[greycloud]

When referring to the "Hot Three" it is usually the males of the Double Yellow Heads, Yellow Napes and Blue Fronts. It is important to remember that each bird is an individual of its own species. Here is a very informative article:What's Wrong With Amazons - Amazons - Joannie Doss

 

[SharonC]

Yes, the Blue Fronted is one of the hot three, and greycloud is right. Every bird is an individual, and some may naturally be more good natured than others.
Fred is almost seven according to what I've been told, and I've not encountered any real problems...he may or may not have reached puberty. The biggest thing to remember with Fred is that he's a tad unpredictable. What he loved yesterday, he may not be in the mood for today! LOL! Reading the bird is important so as not to annoy him, and then force him to say NO more aggressively.
Fred is my first big bird, so I didn't have a lot of applicable experience. I did read a LOT, and common sense goes a long way in handling birds...

I will say that I'm really glad that I took the plunge. I can't imagine my home without him now!

 

[birdiemomma]

Have you had any bird experience before?

 

[becaroonie]

http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/

 

[yeb90]

I have interacted with many types of birds and I must say that amazons are my favorite (just don't tell the other birds). There are three in my household (two are mine), Winston: red lored, Oliver: yellow crowned, and Harley: yellow naped. They are independent and keep themselves occupied, but also love hanging out with their humans (and they are generally good talkers, but that isn't so important to me and Winston only has an unintelligible hello and good boy).
That being said, when an amazon is not in the mood to interact DON'T push them or you will probably be bitten. They have strong opinions and can be somewhat hot tempered (if you can really describe a bird that way). It is generally easy (with some practice) to read an amazon's body language, so if you respect them and let them be when they need their space you shouldn't be bitten frequently. As for their behavior upon reaching maturity, I have not encountered any big issues so far. Harley is the oldest (7, so I assume she has reached maturity). The other two are males, but I am not sure if they are mature yet (I think Winston is, but I'm not sure about Oliver, although he does woo Harley ). The important thing to remember about hormonal aggression is that it generally passes with the mating season-be sure to give them space/respect and it is a good idea to perch train amazons for those times that you need to move them, but they are being aggressive (I have had episodes like that with both Oliver and Winston).
One option if you're worried about a mature amazon becoming aggressive is to buy/adopt an older, already mature bird. This way you better know what exactly you are getting. Harley is a rescue and an absolute delight. My mother and I both badly wanted nape personality in our house, but were both a little concerned, for the same reason you are. To determine if an amazon is indeed the bird for you I highly recommend that, if possible, you spend time with some and you may want to try for a hen. When I first decided to bring home a bird I did a lot of research and decided that a pionus was the right bird for me. However, when I went to see a baby blue head pionus I fell in love with Winston. A pionus probably would have been a good choice for me too, but I can't imagine not living with amazons now. Not being overly afraid of their beaks in the first place and really doing your research really do go a long way when interacting with amazons.

Sorry for the long-winded response.

Good luck with your decision! If you have any other questions feel free to ask. As you can tell, I never tire of discussing my amazons .

PS That is horrible! I can't imagine what it would be like if somebody stole my buddies. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

 

[HRH Di]

Nothing will ever be 100% perfect. You'll always have that one little con to the lots and lots of pros. So, if you're looking for 100%, that's a tough order to fill.

The information you get here, from members with amazons, should give you some great insight.

Good luck!

 

[Gypsy]

I was worried when I got my Red Lored, Baby. She turned out to be MUCH louder then the previous owner claimed, but thats due to my household. I have a very high pitched and annoying Chihuahua, Rosey, and Baby has learned how to mimmick every sound that the dog makes, just 5 times as loud and much more high pitched lol. Plus I live alone so Im always singing to myself, so Baby has taken to singing/whistling to herself very loudly when she's bored.

I had problems with her biting when I tried to take her out of her cage, but I was able to over come that pretty easily. After taking almost all the seeds out of her diet and switching her to pellets, I was able to put a treat bowl of sunflower seeds on her playstand. She started practically jumping out of her cage because she knew it was the only way to get any of her beloved seeds lol.

Shes a 20 something year old disabled bird and she's the best addition to my little house since I rescued my Chihuahua. I had only had a parakeet when I was little and a cockatiel a little while ago. Like you I had babysat for my friends cockatoo, but that was my only large bird experience. Everything worked out and she doesn't have any aggression issues. She doesn't like strangers picking her up but I think that stems from her disability.

If you know for sure you want a large bird and can handle the noise level and moodiness that all big birds have I say go for it

 

[Rambo]

I bought a yellow nape 18 years ago as a "pup", with this being my very first bird ever! What I got was beyond expectations! He (I've never had him sexed, but based on our observations and the breeder we bought him from, we're 99% sure he's a male) has been a joy from the very start. We could not have asked for a more perfect bird for our lifestyle! Both of us work during the day, and he sits quietly on his tree perch or in his cage waiting patiently for us to come home, then he comes to life! My wife and I never had kids, but Rambo is just like having an eternal 3 year old... full of life, love and wonderment. During the spring mating season, he gets possessive of me (he's bonded to me) which lasts 3-4 months where he wants nothing to do with my wife, but she loves him dearly just the same. God forbid anything would ever happen to him, but I wouldn't think twice about buying another Amazon, especially the yellow nape!

 

[Mondos Parents]

Nothing will ever be 100% perfect

Words to remember always!
I am no expert by any means, we have had our 12 to 15 year old Yellow Naped Amazon for all of 3 days. Rambo's story is quite the same as ours as far as owners. Mondo seems to love women, tolorate men. He loves Kelly, not sure about me, bit me once, so I'm over the fear of that now(blood little pain), like Rambo said, I don't really care, he is still quite a character, his day is about the same, we both work and spend the evenings with the animals.
As to this thread and getting the Amazon, I say Go for it!