Mexican Red Headed Amazon...

[MustLoveAnimals]

Somebody emailed me yesterday about an Amazon they need to re-home.
The previous owners have moved into a retirement home and cannot take the bird with them. Their daughter currently has him, and she told me that she hates birds and just wants to find a new home for him. She thinks that he is approximately 15-20 years old. She is going to send me photos tomorrow. I am going to try to visit him this week. She is asking a re-homing fee of $200, cage and food included. I'm not sure if this will be my bird or not, but I'd like to know more about them just in case.
So, what can you tell me about Amazons?

 

[Kiwibird]

I grew up with a mexican red head, and he was the sweetest, gentlest, best bird you could ever meet! Barney is a real sweetheart. Never bit, no hormonal issues, friendly to everyone. He's bonded to his lifelong 'mate' (a female DYH) but still friendly to humans. Keep in mind, he was raised since a baby by my parents and has always been in a loving home, but the smaller amazons have a stellar reputation for exactly that kind of personality. Of course, every bird is different and can develop behavioral issues due to their past, but overall, mexican redheads (AKA green cheek amazons) really are known for being great birds

Some things to keep in mind with amazons, males especially, is they *can* be difficult during their hormonal season, all amazons *can* (and should be expected to have) times where they are unhandleable due to "overstimulation" (where they get so worked up, they are liable to bite) and as a species, are prone to obesity and nutrition related illnesses due to their love of junk food/tendency to be perch potatoes. They also have long lifespans with proper diet and care. Even with lifelong genetic issues, Barney is now 43 years old and still in relatively good health given his genetic issues. Hot 3 amazons (BFA, DYH, YNA) kind of give a bad rap to all amazons because they are 'feistier', so a lot of zon horror stories you may have heard likely stem from one of those 3 species. But in my most biases opinion zons are awesome and I think you should do further research and definitely consider this little guy as an addition to your family! No home is complete without an amazon stirring up (adorable) trouble

 

[Birdman666]

I've fostered a pair of MRAs. They are among the most active amazons out there. They are fairly outgoing. They do tend to be on the loud side. Not M2 or Macaw loud, but about one notch below that... So yeah, pretty loud. They also tend to be one of the milder mannered zons. (lilac crowns being the mellowest, then mealey's, red loreds, yellow crowns, and these guys.)

They do not tend to be screamers or pluckers. They can be territorial, and they can be territorial and hormonal biters... doesn't mean they will be, just that it can happen, especially if they become cage bound. Getting them out away from the cage generally lessens these behaviors, or makes them go away.

Amazons are clownish. They can be sweet. They can be moody. They can be anywhere from very active to perch potatoes. It all depends on how they were raised and interacted with. They are very hardy, and very independent. They self entertain quite well.

They can be jealous and stubborn. They can be excitable, and are prone to amazon overload if you get them worked into a state. Step back and let them calm down before picking them up.

They tend to be seed junkies and are prone to obesity, and fatty liver disease, so diet is important. Seed should be no more than 10% of their diet. (I just sprinkle a little safflower seed over the top. And it always goes first.) They also tend to suffer from vitamin A deficiencies, so vitamin A fresh foods are essential. (Most will eat sweet potatoes and if you feed them this a few times a week it never becomes an issue in the first place! You can bake one large sweet potato, cube it, and freeze it, zap it in the microwave for 20 seconds, and with only one zon in the house that's easily two weeks worth of "fresh" food. Easy, easy, easy!)

These are pair bond birds. In the wild they pair up and become inseparable. They tend to form those same bonds with "their person." With all pair bond birds, overbonding can cause issues. So socialize them properly... or the only person that can handle the bird ends up being the favorite person...

Amazon body language is very complex, and that is a key to training them. You need to understand that when getting them. Eye pinning, tail flairing, posturing, etc. all mean something with these guys. People get bit because they don't understand what the bird is telling them, (or choose to ignore it then have the nerve to look surprised!)

They are VERY easy birds to read, and very predictable IF you understand and speak their language.

My favorite birds are Macaws, amazons, and conures... (the pair bond birds.)

 

[Giggleagain]

Hello MustLoveAnimals I think I know what bird you are interested in. I believe she is posted (and has been, for quite a while) on a site we don't want to mention here. I planned to drive out to St. Ch. to take a look and feel to see if the bird liked me, but a Quaker who desperately needs a good home crossed my road, so to speak and I can't adopt two birds in the same week, or I'd go to get this Zon myself.

It looks like a smaller bird, very pretty, but very neglected and sad. The feathers look dirty and "unkempt" ... Zon feathers are usually very beautiful. The food bowl (or water bowl) I see on the photograph is.... empty.

I hope you find it in your heart to visit her and take her home. She looks like she needs it. She doesn't look cared for

Please know I'm saying "her" when it well could be a "him". Please let us know what you decide because if I see that ad much longer, I will do something I shouldn't. Save me please

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

I grew up with a mexican red head, and he was the sweetest, gentlest, best bird you could ever meet! Barney is a real sweetheart. Never bit, no hormonal issues, friendly to everyone. He's bonded to his lifelong 'mate' (a female DYH) but still friendly to humans. Keep in mind, he was raised since a baby by my parents and has always been in a loving home, but the smaller amazons have a stellar reputation for exactly that kind of personality. Of course, every bird is different and can develop behavioral issues due to their past, but overall, mexican redheads (AKA green cheek amazons) really are known for being great birds

Some things to keep in mind with amazons, males especially, is they *can* be difficult during their hormonal season, all amazons *can* (and should be expected to have) times where they are unhandleable due to "overstimulation" (where they get so worked up, they are liable to bite) and as a species, are prone to obesity and nutrition related illnesses due to their love of junk food/tendency to be perch potatoes. They also have long lifespans with proper diet and care. Even with lifelong genetic issues, Barney is now 43 years old and still in relatively good health given his genetic issues. Hot 3 amazons (BFA, DYH, YNA) kind of give a bad rap to all amazons because they are 'feistier', so a lot of zon horror stories you may have heard likely stem from one of those 3 species. But in my most biases opinion zons are awesome and I think you should do further research and definitely consider this little guy as an addition to your family! No home is complete without an amazon stirring up (adorable) trouble

I am very excited to meet him (she told me it is a male, but hasn't been DNA sexed).
I wasn't originally searching for an Amazon (I was thinking about a mini-Macaw), but I don't want to pass up any bird.
Thank you!

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

I've fostered a pair of MRAs. They are among the most active amazons out there. They are fairly outgoing. They do tend to be on the loud side. Not M2 or Macaw loud, but about one notch below that... So yeah, pretty loud. They also tend to be one of the milder mannered zons. (lilac crowns being the mellowest, then mealey's, red loreds, yellow crowns, and these guys.)

They do not tend to be screamers or pluckers. They can be territorial, and they can be territorial and hormonal biters... doesn't mean they will be, just that it can happen, especially if they become cage bound. Getting them out away from the cage generally lessens these behaviors, or makes them go away.

Amazons are clownish. They can be sweet. They can be moody. They can be anywhere from very active to perch potatoes. It all depends on how they were raised and interacted with. They are very hardy, and very independent. They self entertain quite well.

They can be jealous and stubborn. They can be excitable, and are prone to amazon overload if you get them worked into a state. Step back and let them calm down before picking them up.

They tend to be seed junkies and are prone to obesity, and fatty liver disease, so diet is important. Seed should be no more than 10% of their diet. (I just sprinkle a little safflower seed over the top. And it always goes first.) They also tend to suffer from vitamin A deficiencies, so vitamin A fresh foods are essential. (Most will eat sweet potatoes and if you feed them this a few times a week it never becomes an issue in the first place! You can bake one large sweet potato, cube it, and freeze it, zap it in the microwave for 20 seconds, and with only one zon in the house that's easily two weeks worth of "fresh" food. Easy, easy, easy!)

These are pair bond birds. In the wild they pair up and become inseparable. They tend to form those same bonds with "their person." With all pair bond birds, overbonding can cause issues. So socialize them properly... or the only person that can handle the bird ends up being the favorite person...

Amazon body language is very complex, and that is a key to training them. You need to understand that when getting them. Eye pinning, tail flairing, posturing, etc. all mean something with these guys. People get bit because they don't understand what the bird is telling them, (or choose to ignore it then have the nerve to look surprised!)

They are VERY easy birds to read, and very predictable IF you understand and speak their language.

My favorite birds are Macaws, amazons, and conures... (the pair bond birds.)

Thank you!
I'll definitely do my research!

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

Hello MustLoveAnimals I think I know what bird you are interested in. I believe she is posted (and has been, for quite a while) on a site we don't want to mention here. I planned to drive out to St. Ch. to take a look and feel to see if the bird liked me, but a Quaker who desperately needs a good home crossed my road, so to speak and I can't adopt two birds in the same week, or I'd go to get this Zon myself.

It looks like a smaller bird, very pretty, but very neglected and sad. The feathers look dirty and "unkempt" ... Zon feathers are usually very beautiful. The food bowl (or water bowl) I see on the photograph is.... empty.

I hope you find it in your heart to visit her and take her home. She looks like she needs it. She doesn't look cared for

Please know I'm saying "her" when it well could be a "him". Please let us know what you decide because if I see that ad much longer, I will do something I shouldn't. Save me please

I do believe we're on the same page!
I had this particular bird on my "wish list" for a while, and a woman replied to my ad yesterday. I'm not sure if it's the same bird, but I'll know when I visit! (Hopefully tomorrow ) And if this is the bird I think it may be, I'm going to be going toy-shopping!

 

[Taw5106]

Hi there, and congratulations! My Buddy is a 24 year old MRA and I knew nothing about amazons before getting him. After reading up I have to say he is an absolute sweetheart, my Husband says he's the devil. Buddy is very bonded to me so I don't have the issues that Husband and friends have with him. I joined this site to learn more and when I heard about the hot three and read up on them, well I'm very glad he's who he is, lol. He is loud and he loves to be heard. To give you an idea of how loud, I can stand across the street from our house and still hear him, thats with the doors and windows shut. He lllloooovvvveeeesss head rubs or head scratches, he loves to eat with me to the point that I have to watch him otherwise he's in the middle of my food, most times he's in his cage. He's not bothered by our dogs and in fact throws food at them. Because he throws food he doesn't get berries often and not in large amounts because he slings them everywhere. I really enjoy him, it's never boring with him around.

I've learned a lot from the group of amazon owners here and others on this site too. If you decide to take him, I think you'll enjoy him and you'll have to keep us posted on how you both are doing.

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

Hi there, and congratulations! My Buddy is a 24 year old MRA and I knew nothing about amazons before getting him. After reading up I have to say he is an absolute sweetheart, my Husband says he's the devil. Buddy is very bonded to me so I don't have the issues that Husband and friends have with him. I joined this site to learn more and when I heard about the hot three and read up on them, well I'm very glad he's who he is, lol. He is loud and he loves to be heard. To give you an idea of how loud, I can stand across the street from our house and still hear him, thats with the doors and windows shut. He lllloooovvvveeeesss head rubs or head scratches, he loves to eat with me to the point that I have to watch him otherwise he's in the middle of my food, most times he's in his cage. He's not bothered by our dogs and in fact throws food at them. Because he throws food he doesn't get berries often and not in large amounts because he slings them everywhere. I really enjoy him, it's never boring with him around.

I've learned a lot from the group of amazon owners here and others on this site too. If you decide to take him, I think you'll enjoy him and you'll have to keep us posted on how you both are doing.

Buddy sounds great!
Thanks for telling me about him!
I'm trying to do as much research as possible, because I may be bringing him home this week!