What are red crowned amazons like as pets?

[Nathan1]

I'm adopting a red crowned amazon from a rescue, this is what I know about the bird.

-Age is unknown, the person who brought the bird to the rescue didn't provide that information...Thought to be about 15 years old.

-It is a male.

-It's territorial of its cage, but will step up once it's out.

-Perfect feather.


I'm visiting the bird soon, and I'd like to know what red crowned amazons are like.

Are they affectionate/cuddly like a cockatoo? Are they playful like a Caique? Are they more independent and don't mine playing on a "jungle gym", or do they constantly rely on you for their entertainment? Are they constant chewers?

I don't care that much if they're good talkers or not, noise is not a concern of mine either.

Any information you can provide about these birds would be appreciated.

 

[Boysmom]

I fostered a pair of Red crowned or mexican red head amazons for a year. They were very smart birds and learned new words from me even though they were 10-15 years old. They were supposedly breeders but I hand tamed the female successfully. She was very sweet and loved attention and head scratches. She would cuddle up to my cheek when on my shoulder. I loved them and would have kept them, but I was fostering for a family friend through his triple by pass and recovery. I still visit them and the female always cuddles right up to me.

Here is some more info for you, read on down to the training and behavior section.
Green-cheeked aka Red-crowned Amazon, or Mexican Red Headed Parrot

 

[merlinsmom13]

I've had mine since he was about 8 months old, he's now 7. He's very intelligent & likes to call the shots. I allow him to choose when possible if I pick him up, give him scratches... He does trust me & we wrestle, but again its his call to play a little rough. I wouldn't say he was cuddly, but he's affectionate. He gives kisses & he's happy as long as we're in the same room. Most of the time I'm only allowed to handle his feet & scratch his head/beak. Again his rules

He's very easy going, only loud for short times in the am & pm. We're strongly bonded, but he still loves my SO. Enjoys spending time w/him. This is something we work on constantly. A territorial male 'zon can be a challenge. Good luck w/your guy <3

 

[TessieB]

I knew a Mexican Red-Head Amazon when I was a kid. The neighbor had several parrots and the Red Head, Lucy. It was this parrot who started my interest in larger birds. She or he was very opinionated about the cats who also lived there and terrorized them. She didn't like glasses either, and would yank them off your face.

On the other hand, Lucy was wicked smart, and liked to work for treats. If she didn't like the treat you offered, she'd bite you. She always liked apples, though. Even as a kid I found her fascinating. Her ability to manipulate people was amazing. She was still alive when I left Florida as an adult. The last I heard she was taken in by the grandson. So, if anything, she was long-lived.

 

[Birdman666]

Cuddly depends on the bird.

Amazons are usually pretty independent.

They play ROUGH when they play. Zon overload is very real. Don't get him to wound up because they will bite...

They love being on a play stand. Mine like puzzle toys, and things they can take apart.

They generally like spray baths, and showers.

They can be clowns.

Cage territorial for a male, comes with the territory to some extent. In the wild, they establish the nests, and tend to defend their territory. In captivity the cage = the nest, and their favorite spot tends to be their territory. Therefore, they can become defensive when approached around it...

This is a territorial intrusion issue more than anything, and generally becomes less as your bond with the bird increases. Getting him away from the cage reduces it. (i.e. nothing to defend.)