Adopting a Rescue Amazon Parrot

[Williamsong]

So my friend texted me and said a friend of hers has a rescued Amazon parrot that is 8 years old and needs caring home so I volunteered to take him in because they can't find anyone else so does anyone have any last minute information or tips on Amazon behavior ? I don't know what type it is all I know is that it's an Amazon.

 

[Dopey]

Be careful they bite.
They can be really sweet but watch them...they bite.
But bless you for taking this one in.

 

[Birdman666]

Tons.

It's breeding season, so I'm guessing it's going to turn out to be one of the hot 3's - either a nape, or a BFA, or a DYH.

Male behaviors are different than females during breeding season. They are the ones who establish and protect the nests, so they are the ones you tend to have territorial aggression issues with.

Amazon overload is very real. You can get these birds worked up into a state, and when in that state, they will "play" with you as if you were one of their toys. And how do amazons play with their toys?! That's right! They attack them... so don't try to handle him if he's on overload.

Amazon body language means stuff. So much of their body language is non-verbal communication. Learn their language.

Goofy when wet! They generally love water.

The amazon crush thing is also very real. Instant like... you can do no wrong.

The amazon anti-crush thing is also very real. Instant dislike... get away from me.

They can be very opinionated.

They can be moody and somewhat unpredictable during breeding season...

THIS is breeding season.

Most folks don't handle them enough so they don't stay tame.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Since Amazons are....and always will be... my absolute FAVORITE species, I 'would' be the first to tell you and go for it, BUT:

Please be realistic. Are you prepared for a bird who may 'show' aggression?

Are you prepared to be bitten? (Now THAT can actually be avoided - yes, it can be)

IMVHO Amazons are the easiest parrots to 'read'. They WILL let you know what mood they are in. They WILL (most of the time) give you fair warning before they latch on. They show their likes and dislikes by their behavior. Sometimes, when they are simply happy and excited, folks think they are displaying aggressive behavior, or 'over excitement'. Well, it doesn't take much to 'over excite' an Amazon. They are TRUE expressionists. It WILL take some time to learn their antics and 'expressions'.

I do NOT believe in the 'hot 3' statement simply because I have 2 of the 'supposed' hot threes and they are both as mellow and easy to read as the rest of them. :54:

I'll stop here. I tend to get lost once I start writing about 'zons...but I don't want to take the chance of 'losing' the reader. :30:

 

[Birdman666]

Hot 3 doesn't mean any more excitable, or shorter tempered.

Hot 3's just have longer breeding seasons. I've had all 3 of the hot 3's... and worked with somewhere around 25-ish of them...

Whether their sweet or not depends on whether they have been properly handled, trained, and socialized, just like every other species.

Zons get a bad rap because people either don't know how to read them, or they ignore what the bird is telling them and trigger a "war of wills" with the dang bird...

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

I know it's probably doubtful, but it could be a sweet little Zilla zon who has never hurt me and is just a total sweetie pie. There are super sweet ones out there! They don't ALL bite or get aggressive! I know it's a long shot, but let's not terrify the OP!

 

[Williamsong]

What type of Amazon is this because this is what it looks like

<a href="http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/williamsong2112/media/imagejpg1_zpsc0952e62.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag300/williamsong2112/imagejpg1_zpsc0952e62.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo imagejpg1_zpsc0952e62.jpg"/></a>

 

[Williamsong]

Wrong link

Here's the right one

 

[Kiwibird]

That is a rather handsome (and looks like a tad chunky) blue front amazon. Poor guy looks pretty sad. So long as you are prepared for a bigger bird, I would take him.

They are great birds IMO, but of course come with all the "issues" any large parrot does- loud, messy, and can possibly bite. Males can be a bit on the aggressive side, ESPECIALLY this time of year. BUT for all the "negatives" they really really can be wonderful companions when you treat them right My boy was a rescue and very mean. Now he's incredibly bonded to us and a very friendly, inquisitive, feathery love of my life

 

[henpecked]

Diffidently a Blue Front as Ms Kiwi said. IMO a "Chaco" BFA, they have more yellow than the regular BFA and are more popular here in the US. He ?? does appear to be older. Does he have a leg band? A open .split ring band? Does it say USDA ?

 

[Williamsong]

Yes I'm sure it is sad because it came from an abusive home but the person that rescued it said it its really scared more than really aggressive so I am pretty excited to work with this bird and hopefully get it to be tame and a fairly good bird.

 

[Taw5106]

Have you met him yet? If so how did he act with you?

 

[Williamsong]

I am getting him dropped off tomorrow around 6 o'clock and he is 8 years old so he is still relatively young. I have not met him yet only seen pictures.

 

[Taw5106]

Tomorrow is going to be exciting for you both.

 

[Williamsong]

I know I am very excited to get him I will hardly sleep haha

 

[Kiwibird]

YAY! Glad he's found a good home It can definitely be tough and a bit of a tough time rehabbing these guys, but amazons truly are amazing birds so a couple chomps and tedious months training/trust building will be SO WORTH the end results! Between the ages of 6-8 years old is a common age for amazons (especially males) to be rehomed for the first time (average large parrot can go through 10 homes in a lifetime). It's when they hit puberty and go from gentle baby behavior to acting like teenage boys because of the onset of hormones. They DO mellow with age and DO respond positively to love, kindness, *proper* training/socialization and a determined/educated owner. This is kind of how we got Kiwi, we got a picture, little background and picked him up the next day. Onery little thing at first, but I couldn't ask for a better bird. Loaded with personality!

So excited for you! You have lots of experienced zon owners on here to help through the process of making this guy the best friend you'll ever have Does he have a name?

 

[Taw5106]

I must admit I followed Kiwi and April, they gave me confidence with Buddy.

 

[Snabb133]

He looks really beautiful! and it's a blue front amazon. He looks very sad though, I would definitely take him in and offer him a much better life. You can expect him to be a bit on the moody side though since it's breeding season, and males tend to be more aggressive than females.

But the good thing is since blue fronts are so popular, there is lots and lots of great information about them all over the internet which can help you with proper care/feeding/training and so on. And then there's us on this awesome Forum. We will do everything to help you and him since we all love Amazons.

 

[ImmunoGoblin]

This forum is WONDERFUL for advice. You will learn just about everything you need to know here.

There are lots of scary things about Amazons, but there are lots of awesome things too. Both of mine talk, laugh, and make all kinds of sound effects. They love music and love to take showers with us. They ride on our shoulders (this is a controversial subject but ours are allowed to do it when they behave), sit on our laps, play with toys, enjoy treats, and make our home SO much more pleasant and humorous. They are awesome birds!

 

[Williamsong]

I do thinkk the abusive owners ever gave him a name but I'm thinking about the name gizmo.