New Parrot Momma needs some help

[JAgee]

Good evening all!!

Long story short - I recently was gifted a beautiful 30-something year old, Amazon parrot. I don’t have parrot experience but have tons of animal common sense.
He came from a rough situation - too much to get into. I have had him for about 3 months now - he is doing wonderful overall. My first hurdle was transitioning him from wild bird seed with peanuts to a good variety of healthy pelleted, dried and fresh foods we’re doing great there now -
Because everything I’ve read gives such a wide range for life expectancy, I don’t know if he’s middle aged or a senior? He is active, loves attention and contact (with me and no one else ), but does not do much on his own - he has a good variety of different sized and texture perches, several foraging toys - but he only sits when he is in his cage. Is this normal behavior for a bird his age? I fear that he’s only happy when I’m giving him 100% of my attention - I work very early mornings part time, homeschool my kids and run a dairy goat farm …. I’m busy. Lol
are there any toys or activities that this breed cares for more than others? I want him to be content when he’s in his cage - not sad or bored
TIA for any help!!!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

What a pretty bird! Is it a yellow-nape? I've never had an amazon but many members do and they will help you a lot. But when you can't pay attention to him and you worry about boredom, why not turn the TV on and give him something to watch? Cartoons are great. Lots of birds like the colors and moving pictures. Just don't make him watch the news all day- it's too depressing , even for a bird!

 

[cnyguy]

What a handsome Amazon! It sounds like you're off to a good start at giving him a better life. Amazons can live for 50 years or more. My old YCA George lived to be somewhere between 60 and 70; we never knew his exact age. George wasn't too enthusiastic about parrot toys. He mostly liked to chew up wood and untie knots in bird safe cotton string. Every parrot has his or her own preferences for things to play with, food and treats, so you'll probably need to experiment a little. I'm sure other Amazon fans will have some suggestions to offer based on their parrots' preferences. All the best to you and your new feathered friend.

 

[texsize]

I love yellow napes.

My yellow nape is mostly a perch potato as well.
He has his moments of play but not too much.
He’s about 40 years old and he has slowed down with age.

The toy my Yellow nape plays with the most is a silicone ball with a bell in the middle.
Think I got it from Petco.

 

[JAgee]

What a pretty bird! Is it a yellow-nape? I've never had an amazon but many members do and they will help you a lot. But when you can't pay attention to him and you worry about boredom, why not turn the TV on and give him something to watch? Cartoons are great. Lots of birds like the colors and moving pictures. Just don't make him watch the news all day- it's too depressing , even for a bird!

Thanks so much for your reply! We actually leave the tv on for him! lol! But I’ve always played YouTube parrot videos - I wouldn’t have thought of cartoons! But I’m sure they’ll be much more interesting than the videos we’ve been playing for him!! Thanks!!

 

[JAgee]

What a pretty bird! Is it a yellow-nape? I've never had an amazon but many members do and they will help you a lot. But when you can't pay attention to him and you worry about boredom, why not turn the TV on and give him something to watch? Cartoons are great. Lots of birds like the colors and moving pictures. Just don't make him watch the news all day- it's too depressing , even for a bird!

I think he is a yellow nape! He has blue on his face - which doesn’t seem to be on all of them - but everything else points to yellow nape!

 

[JAgee]

What a handsome Amazon! It sounds like you're off to a good start at giving him a better life. Amazons can live for 50 years or more. My old YCA George lived to be somewhere between 60 and 70; we never knew his exact age. George wasn't too enthusiastic about parrot toys. He mostly liked to chew up wood and untie knots in bird safe cotton string. Every parrot has his or her own preferences for things to play with, food and treats, so you'll probably need to experiment a little. I'm sure other Amazon fans will have some suggestions to offer based on their parrots' preferences. All the best to you and your new feathered friend.

Thank you! He does chew on all of his wood! Lol! He has different types of wood, size, texture and style perches - and he loves to chew! I will get home some cotton rope - now that I think over it - I think he would like that!

 

[JAgee]

I love yellow napes.

My yellow nape is mostly a perch potato as well.
He has his moments of play but not too much.
He’s about 40 years old and he has slowed down with age.

The toy my Yellow nape plays with the most is a silicone ball with a bell in the middle.
Think I got it from Petco.

How adorable!!
So at this age - my Charlie is getting toward the age of slowing down then! That’s good to know also - I wasn’t sure where he was in his life so didn’t know whether to expect slowing down yet! Haha! I may have to try this type of ball too! Thank you!!

 

[wrench13]

Experiment. Each bird has their fav type(s). My 'zon Salty is on a basket weave type toy kick and also likes small colored pieces of wood. Hes a potato in his cage tho, its only when he comes out that he plays with anything.