Is this a Yellow Naped Amazon, Yellow-crowned Amazon, or a Panama Amazon?

[MantisFTW]

Hello, I just joined here, and I'm about to get my first parrot tomorrow!

Here is his picture:

My friends neighbor is moving away and can't take this lovely bird with them. I am getting him plus this nice cage completely for free (they said they paid 1500 for it all, wow)
This is the cage:

They said he is only 1 1/2 years old. My friend also referred to it as an "african panama parrot", but when I looked this up I got different results. With my own research, I narrowed it down to either a Yellow Naped, Yellow-crowned, or a Panama Amazon parrot. When I went to Yahoo answers, they said it was Yellow Naped, but I don't see yellow on the back of his head, just a little on the very top. I wanted to get more opinions from a place with more parrot experts.

They also said they keep him outside, even in the cold... this didn't really sound right to me, so opinions on that would be appreciated as well. I live in Louisiana if that helps. I want to know as much as I can about this little guy so I can properly care for him. Thank you!

 

[94lt1]

Welcome, he's not a yellow napped amazon.. the back of their neck turns yellow. At least it is on mine.. could it be a double yellow head Amazon? The picture isn't all that great..sorry.. I'm sure one of the other will know for sure

 

[Aquila]

He looks like a Panama to me!

Congratulations, I'm glad he's getting a good home now, and it's unfortunate they've been keeping him outside like that, it's not healthy, especially in the cold. Poor little one.

It's one thing if he was in an Aviary outside (With an enclosed portion, heated, lights, etc.) But to just put the cage outside like that is cruel, he has no protection from the elements at all. He'd be good placed in a living room where it gets some activity, but give him a little time to get used to you and your routine, leave the cage door open, and he should come out on his own.

 

[MantisFTW]

Okay. I will be sure to take plenty of pictures myself when I get him tomorrow, I want to find out exactly what he is.
Also, they named him Rio, which is kinda a bland name for a parrot considering the movie came out probably when they got him... I will probably be renaming him, but I'll decide what after spending some time with him.

I've read that Amazons are also considered advanced birds, and I will be a first time parrot owner. I don't plan on letting this get in the way though, I've also started with a chameleon (an advanced reptile) before, and it turned out pretty good.

What are some things I should know about amazons in general? What's their lifespan look like?

 

[Aquila]

Average of around 60 years lifespan, can be more or less depending on health and genetics really. They're prone to liver issues (fatty liver disease) so keeping an eye on his weight is important, watching his seed intake, and I'd recommend getting him on a good pelleted food. My amazon loves Zupreem naturals, but he'll eat anything I put in the bowl.

I'd handle him with a dowel or a gloved hand to start, just to protect yourself until you get used to him. They have very powerful jaws and a sharp beak, so you need to learn his body language. Don't force him to you, but let him come over, standing by his cage, talking to him, depending on his personality, feeding him a little through the bars unless he comes out on his own.

Doing what you're doing now, educating yourself, is one of the best things. Read around the forums, there's a few threads posted about things to avoid with a parrot, food wise, cookware wise (no nonstick!) and chemical wise (no febreeze, carpet fresh, aerosol cleaners.)

I was new to amazons a few months ago, had only heard from customers in my store how mean they can be, but honestly? Mine is nicer than my little conure. It's all how you treat them, and now that yours has a good home and will be receiving proper care, he'll love you for it.

I'd recommend finding a local avian vet and getting him a checkup (and sexed, up to you.) It'll run around $70-$100 for the basic, depending on the tests that you get done. Yours is young, so he hasn't quite hit his hormonal stage yet, but it will be a bit tough, he might be moody, biting, etc, but some go through it with no problems. Just don't think you're doing anything wrong!

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the forum, your best friend if your getting a first amazon.Read though the older post in the amazon section. An amazon is life time commitment. I've had mine and others for over 40 yrs. Longest lived on record was 105 yrs. Most die at much younger ages(less then 20) because of poor care and uneducated owners.( something the forum can help you with). That could be Pan or YC , hard to tell with out better pics.

 

[wenz2712]

Welcome to the forum

It looks like a YC to me!

PS... That is exactly the same Cage that I have for my Amazon, Codie

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the forum! And congrats to your BEAUTIFUL Amazon.

I believe you either have a YC or Panama there, but we definitely would need more pictures, preferrably where we can see the beak.

Panamas are a bit smaller than YC, and if I'm not mistaken, the beak of a Panama is somewhat lighter than that of a YC.

BOTH are AWESOME birds though

 

[MantisFTW]

I got him now! He is such a beautiful bird. I'm not going to try handling him for a day or two if I can help it, so he can get used to his new environment. I have some decent pictures now, so maybe it will be easier to tell what kind he is:

He also came with a few toys and food, and a nice perching branch for when I want to have him out.

 

[MantisFTW]

Also, he is right at a foot long, and has some blue at the end of his wings (its hard to see in the pictures)

 

[JerseyWendy]

YOWSER!!! WHAT a beauty!!!!! I'd say he's a Yellow Crown. And a gorgeous one at that! Many congrats!!! You must be so head-over-heels

 

[henpecked]

The first pic could have been a Pan, but that looks like a YC to me. Wendy and i vote YC. Beak is too dark, grey cere and feet. Very nice zon, looks good.

 

[MantisFTW]

Okay, so I have two for Yellow-crown. Does anyone else agree with this?

Thanks for your input

 

[Aquila]

Yeah I would say YC.

He looks like a sweetheart!

 

[MantisFTW]

I had the door open in hopes he would come out on his own, and he finally just did. Although... now I don't know how to get him back in! He's just perched on his cage door. Is he going to go in on his own, or do I have to put him in myself? I tried getting him on my hand but as soon as my hand goes near him he makes a small warning squawk and his beak goes for my finger.

 

[henpecked]

Dim the lights, put some treats in his food dish.

 

[aConureLover]

Welcome to the forum, MantisFTW. You have a beautiful bird and a very nice cage. What a cool gesture from your neighbors. All I ever get offered from a moving neighbor is discarded furniture or junk. You will have a friend for a long time considering how young he/she is. It's great to know your Amazon will have a quality home life. Best wishes to both of you!

 

[KBEquine]

As the proud companion of both a Yellow Crown & a Panama Amazon, my vote is also for YC, but whatever that beautiful bird is, you will have a great new friend.

 

[MantisFTW]

Thank you.

I managed to get him in. I coaxed him onto my hand (gloved) and quickly put him inside. He kept trying to nip at the glove, though.

I have another question. How would I be able to sex him? The only way I know he's a boy is through his original owners, who, well, didn't seem to know entirely what they were doing judging by the way he was always kept outside and they didn't really know his species. For all I know he could really be a she.

Also, what tips do you have that can help stop his nipping? He acts like he doesn't want to be held at all, and he gives those small warning squawks when my hand goes near.

 

[Aquila]

You can get a DNA test kit online, just takes a few feathers from the chest usually. Sometimes you can tell by behaviors but it's never 100% that way.

Just keep handling him the best you can, he's testing you a bit, and probably expects the worst when a hand comes near. Distract him with a treat and you can sit with your hand on the table and just having him walk over your hand a bit, showing that you're not there to hurt him. Just go slow, he'll warm up to you.