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The Amazon Parrot Page
Choosing an Amazon
Hello and welcome to the Amazon Parrot Page. This page is dedicated to the selection and keeping of Amazon Parrots as pets in the home. This is my first web page and I am sure you will find mistakes. Feel free to E-mail me with any questions or (constructive) comments ,or, sign the guest book before you leave. Let me know if there is anything you would like to see that is not included at this time. First, let me say that I am not an expert on parrots, and as such, nothing contained here is set in stone. Although you will find some first aid tips and qualities of a healthy bird, I am also not a Veterinarian. Any questions you have regarding the particular health of your bird should be addressed to a qualified Aviary Vet. Having said that, let's move on to the fun stuff!
A little Science
For those of you who are into this sort
of thing, Amazons are in the Psittacidae family of birds and belong to
the genus Amazona. Of the 332 species of parrots,
27 are known as Amazons. Parrots are known as hookbills due to the
shape of their
beaks, and also have zygodactylous feet. This is a big word for two
toes face forward and
two face to the rear. They are medium sized parrots (10 to 19
inches tall), and are generally
green in color with
varying colors on the head, wings, and tail. All of the Amazons have
the ability to mimic the human voice,
though, some are considered to be better than others. I caution that
just because they are able to talk does not
mean that they will, and, anyone who is thinking of getting one solely
for the purpose of having a talking bird might be very disappointed. It
is also important
to remember that these birds are flock birds. If you plan to keep one
you need to remember
that you are its "flock". If you do not have the time to spend with
your bird either do
not get one, or plan on getting two of them to keep each other company!
Another item of
interest is that they
can live an extremely long time, maybe even 80 years. With that in mind
this bird could conceivably end up with your grand children or at worst
till you are
very old. So avoid teaching the bird foul language. What is funny to
you and your friends
might not be nearly so funny when you are playing bridge with your
local minister when your
90.
History
People have been keeping Amazon birds as pets as far back as 1500 b.c., One reason is, obviously, they are beautiful. Another is that they usually become very affectionate towards their owners. Birds in general are considered to be one of the first true "pets" because dogs and cats were actually utility animals before they were kept strictly as pets. The earliest known writers talking about what were presumed to be parrots were the Greeks, who referred to a "talking" bird. Aristotle not only wrote of them, but gave them what is now their scientific name because he called them Psittace. In India, Parrots were routinely eaten for food until Alexander the Great came along. Alexander was a bird lover and introduced a breed of Parakeets to Europe. He forbid the killing of peacocks and parrots by the Indians who later gave these birds elevated, almost god-like status, frequently using the feathers as decorations and headdresses. Christopher Columbus was rumored to have brought back parrots from the New World with him, which later turned into a big trade. Parrots of this generation were known for their salty dispositions and foul language from their extended stays with sailors, and, being kept in taverns and Inns of the day. Parrotswere well liked by privateers (pirates) due to their loyalty. If approached by an unfamiliar person the parrot would serve as an early warning system, or could be thrown into the face of an attacker for a distraction. Ownership of parrots by ordinary people was not popular until the proliferation of zoo's after the industrial age, who kept a large number of parrot species on exhibit.
Keeping parrots has been a rewarding endevor for many years, and, if you devote the time to your bird you will be rewarded with humorous antics of all kinds. In fact, my experience with having an Amazon is more like having another child rather than adding simply another pet into the home! Unfortunately though, Many species
of Amazons are now very endangered species. Some breeds are very hard to find, and others can only be seen in a few select zoo's. Thus it is of the utmost importance that you do not buy a bird captured in the wild. Any bird born in captivity should have a closed band around its foot that was placed on by the breeder shortly after birth.
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