Amazon vs CAG

Martha

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Nov 30, 2010
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A few months ago I lost my beloved CAG to a vet's mistake. She told me I should not withhold food before minor surgery and Calvin aspirated pieces of almond and died. Later I read that food should be withheld 2-6 hours. The vet never even apologized, called, or sent a card. I would sue her if my husband weren't against it. It has left me heartbroken. This is the back story.

Recently the owner of a store where I buy feed for my farm animals adopted an Amazon named Pele whose owner became allergic to him. Pele is in the store and he hates Julie and the other people who work there and anyone else who approaches him, except for his former owner and yours truly. I don't know why but Pele adores me and gets very excited when I come in. I scratch his head and he sort of licks my knuckle with his funny tongue and makes all sorts of sweet little sounds. Needless to say, despite my vow that I wouldn't have another parrot, I am smitten, and Julie wants me to take him since he tries to attack everyone else. Who knows why he likes me??

Anyway, sorry for the long preamble--I love to write :) My question has to do with Amazons vs CAGs. Are they much louder? Julie and another employee say he is not loud, but they may be sort of chatting him up. What are some of the major differences between Amazons and CAGs as pets? What about talking ability? Pele is older (you can tell by his name--the Brazilian soccer star of years ago), in his early 40s. His first owner died. We might be a good match because I am 51. So what are your thoughts? I'm not sure which kind of Amazon he is--have to go look carefully at him. His former owner who gave him up said she had a CAG!! He was molting and his feathers looked a little gray. Some people...

Thanks in advance!

Martha
 
Hello Martha and welcome to the Forum. :)

I'm very VERY sorry to hear about Calvin. That had to have been absolutely devestating. :(

Unfortunately I cannot tell you anything about CAG as I never had the pleasure of parronting one.

However, if this Amazon, despite his age, took to you so quickly, I think that sounds like a match made in heaven. Considering how long Amazons can live, you can probably enjoy each other for many, many more years to come. :)

Amazons are WONDERFUL parrots, I love them to death, I'm owned by 2 of them ;)

As for talking ability it depends on the species. Have you heard Pele talk?
 
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Hi Jersey Wendy,

Thanks for your message. Losing my beloved bird is truly one of the most tragic losses I have ever had--and I have had animals all my life. She was a friend and made me laugh every day (she was a rescue and was called Calvin, even though she laid eggs :) ) They say Pele talks, but when I have been in there he hasn't said much. That's not a huge deal, since he likes me! My CAG didn't actually like anyone very much! She was hilarious. She would yell at the cats to get off the counter and when I picked up my handbag she'd say, see you later! I could go on and on, like most people owned by a parrot :) However, she never really let me touch her except to step up. Otherwise she would nail me! But I accepted her for who she was. She loved me in her way.

Do your Amazons make a lot of loud noise?

Thanks!

Martha
 
AAAWW, I got tears in my eyes reading about sweet Calvin. :( Feel free to talk about her as much as you want, we are here for you! And feel for you. HUGS.

My Amazons are not loud at all. My 13 year old yellow Nape talks and sings, NEVER screams. My 5 month old double yellow head gets a little vocal as the sun sets, but it's not what I'd consider "loud". And it only lasts 5 minutes. Other than that he's beginning to pick up words and sounds. :)

Mine are not the "norm". There are Amazons that can screech their head off, but fortunately I have never encountered one of those.

Once you figure out what type of Amazon Pele is, it will probably be easier to determine what noise level you "might" be looking at ;)
 
Hello Martha and welcome to the forum:)

I am sorry to hear your tragic story concerning Calvin.

Pele has obviously picked you :) Sounds like you will have a Friend for life!

Yes Zons can be very loud at times..much louder than a CAG, but it is something you learn to live with in the end:)
 
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Are they as loud as sun conures? They make my head hurt sometimes!
 
I adopted a 30+ Blue Fronted Amazon. She can be quite aggressive and doesn't want to be handled, but I love her anyway. When I sing her soft songs, she leans forward and I can tell she is happy. She will only step up onto a dowel, and only if there is a nutriberry or an almond in it for her somewhere. Anyway: if Pele loves you, WOW! How fantastic!

My Queequeg is quite loud twice a day. She sounds like a car alarm for about 5 minutes in the morning and another 5 minutes in the evening. Those minutes can seem long... but they pass. Other than that, she makes funny chatting sounds and says a few phrases once or twice a day. Other than that, she is quiet. She has only been part of our family for six weeks, so we'll see if she picks up any of our typical family phrases...

My vote is: adopt Pele.
 
Are they as loud as sun conures? They make my head hurt sometimes!

They do not have such an ear piercing squawk as a Sun Conure..

Here is a Vid of my Zon Codie being loud... Listen to it all the way through. This will give you some idea as to how loud they can be!!

Its not constant though!!

http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/20712-my-amazon-codie-being-very-loud.html

:54: Ok, I'll just keep my lips sealed from now on when people ask how loud an Amazon can be. :eek: OMG, Wendy! None of mine have ever done that, I swear.

I've gotta add that I loved hearing ABBA in the background. :D
 
Hey Martha, welcome to the forum. Some species of zons are screechier than others but zons kept indoors generally aren't loud all day. The outside zons can be pretty loud but it's usually early AM/ late PM . I do have alot of zons in the house but they do more talking and singing than loud screaming, and it's usually one or two that get the others started. Get us a couple of pictures and we'll be glad to ID him for you. Good luck and get involved on the forum.
 
Martha, I just quickly wanted to share with you that yesterday my GF picked up an absolute FREE Yellow Nape Amazon with cage :D "Ivy" is believed to be 20+ years old (no way of really knowing, she's got no band or other ID).

It was love at first sight with the 2 of them (GF + Ivy). Ivy is bilingual. She sings and talks, including "LaCucaracha", "Somewhere over the Rainbow".

Ivy1.jpg


I haven't spoken with her yet today, but Ivy settled in quite nicely yesterday. Before taking her home, she had made an appointment with her avian vet, and she appears to be in excellent health. Of course she will have to wait for the blood and culture results. :)
 
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Are they as loud as sun conures? They make my head hurt sometimes!

They do not have such an ear piercing squawk as a Sun Conure..

Here is a Vid of my Zon Codie being loud... Listen to it all the way through. This will give you some idea as to how loud they can be!!

Its not constant though!!

http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/20712-my-amazon-codie-being-very-loud.html

What a hoot! Calvin used to make this really high-pitched whistle (I think imitating the pantry door) when I was cooking and the sound really irritated me. After a while she started whistling and then saying STOP IT! It just cracked me up so I couldn't be irritated. What I would give to hear her do that again :(
 
Hi and welcome! I am the new owner of a Double Yellow Headed Amazon and I say go for it! Especially if Pele loves you already! My Gilly has never made any squawking sounds like Codie, if he happens to get bored or want attention, he will say Hello Gilly, or Hey Good Lookin! LOL, He's over 20 years old as well so maybe they've outgrown the screaming phase?? I can tell you though, that Gilly has very quickly become very special to me and I'm sure that Pele will be a wonderful companion for you for many many years!
 
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Thanks all! I took a pic of Pele yesterday and compared the photo to photos of Amazon species--he is a red-lored Amazon. I so want to take him home. The only thing I'm worried about is my husband--he witnessed how I fell into a tailspin of grief and depression after Calvin died. But I think that some of that was due to the vet's callous behavior after she caused Calvin's death. This morning Sridhar agreed that the vet caused much of my anger and grief. A sincere apology can make a huge difference. Lack of one can create lifelong resentment. I feel that having Pele will help me set aside my grief and anger. To tell you all the truth, after Calvin died I vowed I would never, ever have another parrot, that my dream was shattered. (Maybe I already said that?) But to meet Pele, who was taken in by a friend who lives a mile from me and who wants me to have Pele because he took an immediate liking to me--it really seems like Calvin sent him to me. I generally dismiss that kind of thing as hocus pocus but I can't help feeling there's some kind of meaning and sign in it. I feel so drawn to him.
 
But to meet Pele, who was taken in by a friend who lives a mile from me and who wants me to have Pele because he took an immediate liking to me--it really seems like Calvin sent him to me. I generally dismiss that kind of thing as hocus pocus but I can't help feeling there's some kind of meaning and sign in it. I feel so drawn to him.

No hocus pocus there, I've felt the exact same way several times. ;) You kind of get this feeling deep down in your gut, and you just can't shake it...and then you KNOW you're getting a sign.

Yellow Lored Amazons are lovely! I sincerely wish you ALL the best with Pele.

The way you described everything from the beginning - THIS was meant to be. :)
 
Martha,

I lost a beloved german shepherd many, many years ago - I know your pain. I, too, vowed to never have another pet and I went down with grief. It's been over 20 years now and I can tell you I still have dreams about him.

I wasn't against pets - just didn't want to go "out on a limb" for one again. Then - I rescued 2 blue-front amazons with the main goal to get them calm and tame and find them a good home. Within a short week - they weren't going anywhere! It was too much fun to spend time with them.

My amazons aren't that loud. They will get started "yakking" in the morning when I'm getting ready for work - then when it's bedtime and the lights are being dimmed they will carry on . . . . but remember, these are little 2 year olds and they don't WANT to go to bed! They're loud enough to get your attention but mine don't really screech (but I do hate the ankle biter dog bark that Secret mimics).

I say if that bird likes you - go for it.
 

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