I'm Considering a Yellow Nape Amazon

[SharonC]

Hi guys....I'm new here. I've been considering a Yellow Nape Amazon for awhile now. He's been for sale here for quite some time, although very overpriced. The price is now reasonable for this area, so I'm thinking about it again.

I have done considerable research and decided no, then yes, then no again.

I actually contacted the owner this AM for some info. Freddie is five and DNAed male. He is not aggressive. He does have vocalizations that sound like a crow, when he calls for them, but they don't last long. He talks well, and eats well. He's just an all around special bird, who loves people.

I've read that this type of Amazon is one of the "hot three"...and I've no interest in owning a bird that I have to be afraid of. I don't mind a bite if it's a warning, but I would like to keep all my flesh. I have experience in smaller birds. I've taken care of a TAG for two weeks, and had no problems with handling. I do know how to read a bird, and have read that Amazons are fairly easy to read. I know that the five year mark is often problematic, as far as hormones go....

My question is....Are all Yellow Napes a little problematic, or are some just really good family pets? I'm retired, so I will be home most days with Freddie, so I think he'll have what he needs in that area...but I'm really nervous about getting into something that I may be sorry for...

 

[parrotqueen]

Welcome to the forum, Sarah!

Amazon parrots do tend to be more 'challenging' birds, often presenting challenges like biting, and excessive screaming, and chewing. And as they mature out of babyhood, they learn to use their beaks as ways to 'discipline' their owner. For this, they are often dubbed as part of the 'naughty' parrots.

Here's a link for solving a few behavioural issues, should they ever occur: Strategies for Reducing Behavior

Owning amazons can be extremely rewarding, too. They are fantastic companions, fabulous talkers, and are always eager to learn something new. Understand that like people, their personalities vary from one individual to another.

 

[HRH Di]

Welcome to the forum. I don't really have anything to add to what PQ already posted. In my very limited experience, I've found that the "standard" personality for parrot species is really a very wide range that differs not only due to the parrot, but to his/her environment. Amazons may have a deserved reputation for being "naughty" however there are probably several out there who are sweet and cuddly and quiet.

Can you visit him a couple times to see if you can get an idea of his personality?

Good luck.

 

[SharonC]

Freddie is an eight hour drive(return) for me, so several visits would be difficult. I would basically do the drive, visit and watch how the owners handle him, ascertain a "feeling" as to how he reacts to me, and then return home with or without him. I have asked if the owners would consider a one month trial period, but I realize that that would be hard on Freddie....He's not currently living with the owners, but with another family member. Owners were seperating but have since reconciled. Even the month trial, if they agree, is not going to give me a feel for the aggression level, if and when that happens, with hormones.

When I research on info sites, it doesn't sound too bad, but from hearing what owners have said, on other forums, I'm hesitant....

 

[Oogies Mom]

I have been the proud parent of a yellow nape amazon for almost a month now. I purchased him from a mom and pop pet store that had him for ten years. I was told that he didn't like the two females employees in the store (he would charge at them if they got near his cage) and would attack the newspaper when the male employees would change it. I was told he wasn't a "snuggle" bird, that he was perch trained, but would not sit on anyone. I visited him a couple of times and stood by his cage and talked to him but was never able to hold him, or see the owners handle him. Oogie chose me, and I got the owner to sell him and the cage to me for $250.00. Well wouldn't you know, when I first brought him home he walked out of the carrier and onto my hand! In the short time I have had him, he seems a completely different bird than what was described to me! He plays, takes showers, talks, tries to sing and yes, he even snuggles. He loves to go for rides in the car and is actually good with other people! Did I mention he doesn't screech? He does bite, and has drawn blood on more than one occasion, but I am learning the signs and the biting has started to subside I wouldn't trade him for the world!!! That being said, every bird has its own personality, and sometimes it doesn't show accurately if the environment isn't right. If the amazon you're looking to buy is around other male amazons, then he may not be as personable; He'll be too busy trying to compete! In addition, there are ways to lessen the effects of breeding aggression. Good luck on your decision!

 

[SharonC]

Thanks...that's encouraging! Freddie is currently living at the owner's family member's house, apparently being terrorized by another bird. She wasn't sure what it was, but it sounded like a Cockatoo, from her description. I'll know more tonight, as I'll be able to talk to the husband, who has been the main caretaker.....

 

[Spiritbird]

Welcome Sharon and good luck with the new one. He will mostl likely be very happy to be with you and get away from the other bird.

 

[SharonC]

I'm getting a lot of discouraging comments on another forum, regarding Yellow Napes. I wonder if they are as bad as their reputation indictes...???...

 

[ScottinVentura]

Here's a link for solving a few behavioural issues, should they ever occur: Strategies for Reducing Behavior

This is all good information, the only thing I wish she would have done is gone into a little explanation about what "beaky behavior" is and isn't. A parrot's beak and tongue are like a hand to them. It's completely normal for them to explore your fingers, hands, fingernails, etc. with their beak. It's also part of their instinctual social interaction, grooming and preening other members of their flock. If your bird bites or nips, that should obviously be discouraged, but allowing your bird to interact with you in a way he understands and that (to him) means you accept him as part of your flock will build trust between you and give you a better relationship with your bird.

Boo will often grab my fingers when I'm scratching his head and "groom" around my fingernails and down between my fingers, then let my hand go so I can return to scratching his head. If I jerked my hand away when he did this, all it would do is startle him and make him not trust me.

 

[Oogies Mom]

A lot of the information out there does seem to "demonize" Yellow Napes. The more I read the more annoyed I get! When I got Oogie (who's at least 10 yo) I wasn't necessarily looking for another bird, but he spoke to me in his own way. As I said before, he has made me bleed on more than one occasion, but that's because I never pull away when he looks like he's going to bite. Sometimes it will look like Oogie's going to bite, but he ends up grooming me instead If you pull away and all he is trying to do is preen you, then how can that bond be formed ya know? I think he can sense that I trust him and that he knows that biting won't make me go away LOL. He's even started taking food from my mouth and eating it He preens my husband's beard and hair too

 

[SharonC]

Thanks for all the comments, guys! I'm still thinking.....

 

[antoinette]

Oogie is so gorgeous, looks great and healthy
Compliments for who ever took the pictures, wow,

 

[SharonC]

Someone also mentioned that YNAs are a fairly dusty bird...releasing lots of dander. I did react badly to an African Grey that I took care of for two weeks, although I don't have a history of allergies. Do any of you find Zons to be dusty. I currently own Budgies, a Linnie, and a Canary. The only dusty birds of my flock would be the two Budgies, and I don't react to them....

 

[parrotqueen]

OM is right, not every amazon is 'naughty'.

The reputation that amazons recieve is likely to be because of their owner's own impatience, and because of just a few especially ornery or mischevious birds. Amazons are not really evil. They can be challenging, but they're still overall fantastic birds.

 

[parrotqueen]

Someone also mentioned that YNAs are a fairly dusty bird...releasing lots of dander. I did react badly to an African Grey that I took care of for two weeks, although I don't have a history of allergies. Do any of you find Zons to be dusty. I currently own Budgies, a Linnie, and a Canary. The only dusty birds of my flock would be the two Budgies, and I don't react to them....

I didn't read that 'zons are especially dusty birds. They're supposed to be more tolerable that way. OM would probably give you a more definitive answer.

 

[Oogies Mom]

Thanks Antoinette! I took them myself

 

[SharonC]

OK...I'm in the process of making arrangements to meet Freddie on Wed, with a plan to return home on Thursday with him. My plan is to use a sleep cage for him...(I have a seperate room that my birds sleep in, so they can sleep with no interruptions). I have a spare Nina Playtop(18x20)...would this be suitable for a sleep cage...The wire guage is more suited to small birds, but thinking it might be good for sleeping????

I also would like to use it as a cage when we are making weekend visits to family...it sets up in minutes!

 

[genevieve]

Beautiful pics Oogies Mom! Thanks for sharing!

 

[parrotqueen]

That's a nice cage, you might be able to use that for sleeping. But always remember, the bigger the better.

 

[Tom]

My 2 cents: I'm Considering a Yellow Nape Amazon

OK, that is 1 bird and 1 person. I try very hard to describe things in a neutral position. Many times people do not post or talk like this. You go to a site and someone posts, "I've had [(many) probably 2-3] yellow napes and they were all mean". You have to know what kind of person had these birds. and what kind of birds? and what can this person tolerate? A few birds is not a good reference. And maybe it was that person not the birds with the issues?
Information gathering is an art. It is more difficult on the web reading articles At least in person you can get a read on the person.
My view.
Napes are a great bird. One of the top talkers (not all, that is just a %). They are very smart. That's good and bad. Smart if you can stay on top of being the owner of the pet. Smart larger birds can learn to control their owners. And FAST! Napes need a large cage, and a large amount of attention if the only parrot in a cage. They are very social and will want to socialize with you. OR someone. Some of my birds are in love with me. Some love my wife and she rarely touches them. I feed, water, play and everything, yet when she walks by all the macaws go crazy. Oh yea, some parrots are just attracted to who they want to be attracted too. This can be very disheartening for someone who buys a bird, and wants to love it and play with it yet it wants to play with the spouse who could care less. I did retail for years and I have seen this way to many times.
Confused? Well, that is why you are doing all this homework. Which I commend. To many people buy a bird that can live 50 years and have no idea about care or requirements. It takes experience to know what is "a good bird" for you. But bottom line:
All birds need attention
Near all birds will bite (especially in breeding season and when they are mature) Bigger birds hurt more lol
Many birds fall to different types of stress. A cage and cage life is NOT natural for a bird that should be flying the Amazon.
All birds you need to learn how to interact and control bad behavior. Napes are smart, and I think get bored, so they want to control the owners.
Some to many birds become screamers. When I was 16 I had a scarlet that use to scream out my bedroom window, and at night we could hear her many blocks a way.
All birds bite. Ok I changed my mind lol This one seems to scare most people. But most parrot people wear a small hand scare like a badge of honor.
Do you want a bird to bite? No, but the beak on a parrot is like a nose on a bloodhound. It is a very important piece of anatomy. I have been reading this forum and a lot of nice info being given. I think many will help you with ways to control any behavior issues if they arise.
Good Luck
Sorry for the rambling, it is 2am and I should be sleeping and not reading forums