Your Favorite Amazon?

[MissyMe83]

I've recently been bit by the bird "bug" and have my mind set on an Amazon. I really like the characteristics of the Panama, but I'm open to others as well. I like the fact that they are a bit smaller, more affectionate, and have a "calmer" temperment.

Problem is they aren't the easiest to find and I'd like to buy from a reputable breeder that specializes in hand feeding and socializing their babies for the best possible chance of a sweet/tame baby.

I suppose I would also be slightly open to a rescue, but my would feel most comfortable with a baby that doesn't already have some behavior/emotional issues.

Open to all opinions/suggestions!

Thanks : )

Melissa

 

[henpecked]

Hey Melissa, Panamas are my favorite also.I have a pair but all my babies are sold for the next year or two.I'll be glad to keep an eye out for any good babies and let you know .

 

[MissyMe83]

Thanks! That would be awesome : )

 

[roxynoodle]

I've only had the one and only for a few weeks. And he's 28 years old (Yellow Crown). He is very sweet though and affectionate. I don't necessarily find it a bad thing that I got to skip the terrible 2's or puberty, lol! Don't completely discount adopting one. I figured correctly that he was a pretty good bird when he managed to keep the same home for nearly 3 decades.

 

[lizardsmells]

Just a little FYI, most of the Amazons that end up in rescues (at least ours) don't have any behavioral or emotional problems. What they have is an innate desire to be an Amazon parrot, but lots of people don't realize what that means and so when they begin behaving like adolescent or adult amazons instead of the adorable baby they used to be, they get surrendered. Don't be fooled into thinking buying a hand reared baby is going to mean a tame and tractable parrot forever, because it won't. Amazons all mature and they can all enter sexual maturity in such a way as to try the patience of a saint! So don't discount a 'second hand' bird because of baggage, most of the birds at the rescue only have 'baggage' because their owners never knew how to properly handle them and live with them so they ended up ignored, harassed, abused or locked away. Once they get someone with some competence they can turn into amazing pets in very short order.

 

[roxynoodle]

Just a little FYI, most of the Amazons that end up in rescues (at least ours) don't have any behavioral or emotional problems. What they have is an innate desire to be an Amazon parrot, but lots of people don't realize what that means and so when they begin behaving like adolescent or adult amazons instead of the adorable baby they used to be, they get surrendered. Don't be fooled into thinking buying a hand reared baby is going to mean a tame and tractable parrot forever, because it won't. Amazons all mature and they can all enter sexual maturity in such a way as to try the patience of a saint! So don't discount a 'second hand' bird because of baggage, most of the birds at the rescue only have 'baggage' because their owners never knew how to properly handle them and live with them so they ended up ignored, harassed, abused or locked away. Once they get someone with some competence they can turn into amazing pets in very short order.

I think you summed that up very well! If more owners knew what to expect from a bird, many wouldn't buy one that couldn't handle one. And others would manage to stay in their first homes.

In my case, I wanted an older bird for a few reasons. One is I'm now middle aged and have no children. A baby amazon undoubtedly would outlive me. I also just wanted to provide a good home to a bird that might not be as wanted by others who would rather get a baby. I couldn't ask for a better second home bird though. No screaming or plucking. He wasn't abused or neglected.

If the bird talks, sometimes you get clues from that how it was treated. Birds that say "I love you", "Good bird", etc were probably loved. If they say things like "You're stupid", or one Quaker that said to me, "Bad bird, don't bite!" then perhaps it wasn't treated well.

 

[lizardsmells]

In my case, I wanted an older bird for a few reasons. One is I'm now middle aged and have no children. A baby amazon undoubtedly would outlive me. I also just wanted to provide a good home to a bird that might not be as wanted by others who would rather get a baby.

Those are exactly the reasons I wanted an older, rescue bird too! I still have no idea how old Kazi is, but he's turning very, very fast from a shy wallflower to the life of the party. He just needed a flock is all. I'm glad we were it, because he is a constant delight.

 

[henpecked]

Hey Melissa, Not all older rehome/rescue Amazons are the same (nor babies for that matter),Met all the birds you can,Find the one you "clik","spark"or "connect" with,these birds have been bonded to people before. Find one who really likes you. Your chances for success are very good if you've done your homework, and have the tools , like this forum.Unfortunately some of the birds out there can be a handful for anybody. I would also add , a younger person with some bird savvy, raising a baby amazon into a lifelong companion is an awesome experience.

 

[brianlinkles]

I rescued a 15 year old lilac crown. She was very neglected and has taken lots and lots of patience. She has come so far, I can always see how hard she tries when she is interacting with us. She is scared however she does truly want to be part of the flock! Lilac crowns are one of the more gentle amazons, maybe look into getting one of these. I haven't seen many around however!

 

[MissyMe83]

The more I think about it the more I am liking the idea of a rescue. I'm just concerned that I may take on more than I could reasonably handle. I wouldn't want my pionus to suffer or get less attention. Also my partner and I both work full time and are enrolled for college courses as well as his two children, and two dogs. I'm open to it as long as its a smaller species with few to no behavior/emotional issues. Thanks for all the input and advice!

 

[lizardsmells]

The more I think about it the more I am liking the idea of a rescue. I'm just concerned that I may take on more than I could reasonably handle. I wouldn't want my pionus to suffer or get less attention. Also my partner and I both work full time and are enrolled for college courses as well as his two children, and two dogs. I'm open to it as long as its a smaller species with few to no behavior/emotional issues. Thanks for all the input and advice!

I was concerned about biting off more than I could chew too when I adopted Kazi. I got to know him at the rescue where I've been volunteering twice a week. If I hadn't gotten to know him to be honest I wouldn't have given him a second look. He's not gorgeous as he came from neglect and began plucking out of boredom (he was already looking much better after a few at the rescue) and he wasn't particularly entertaining at the rescue, but now that he's home, well it's only been since Wednesday afternoon, but he's talking up a storm and playing and acting exactly like you'd expect a lovely pet amazon parrot to act. He has a bit of an attitude and he thinks biting will get him his way (it never does and he's slowly realizing it) but overall he's a total charmer and just needed to feel like part of a flock to let it show. the progress he's made has been remarkable, at least I think so as I was settling in for at least 6 months before we could even start expecting much progress. he's surprised me! If you look around you might find a surprise of you own

 

[MissyMe83]

What a great story! Thanks for sharing with me. I'm happy that you got a great bird and Kazi got a great home.

I've got some searching and thinking to do.... : )

 

[roxynoodle]

I got the amazon because one of my conures died and the other was getting more upset each day. I already had a rather large cage, and was considering another conure, amazon, grey, mini macaw, eclectus. Pretty much anything except a cockatoo due to my allergies. I'm also home all day now due to disability. I was definitely willing to take a problem bird, but as it turned out, I found one that wasn't one, but needed a new home due to his owner remarrying and the bird not liking the wife (or the wife not liking the bird. It was hard to say which of those was accurate, lol!) None of the man's grown children wanted him. We were concerned that perhaps the bird didn't like women, but he likes me.

They live a long time. Meet many birds like Henpecked suggests. Yes, if I were still young, I am sure I would have loved to get a baby. As it was, it wasn't a good idea for me, and I figured there had to be a lot of long lived birds out there needing homes.

Beware of the people who just want you to come get the bird immediately. There is probably a reason. The former owner should ask you as many questions as you ask him/her. If they don't care who it's going to, they just are looking to get rid of it. Beware also of birds they tell you were a rescue but they can't keep it and want a lot of money for it. Chances are, they just bought it, it isn't working out and now they are trying to pass it off to someone else. I would expect adoption centers will be much more picky about the potential adopter and honest about the birds you are interested in. I was about to go that route when I found the ad for Pete.

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh, BTW, the moment I walked through the door with Pete in the carrier my other bird was thrilled. I didn't quite expect that as she was very jealous when I first brought home the other conure, and when my sister's Meyer's came to visit while she was on vacation.

They do get jealous of each other when I am playing with one of them. But, other than that, they are enjoying each others' company. Pete is already making some conure sounds. And during the evening I often see them imitating each other (mirroring).

 

[lovethyparrot]

Chaco blue fronts are nice too.