Amazonian parrots: features of content, description and interesting facts

Many people saw in the photos of beautiful green parrots who perform funny tricks. They are handsome from the shores of the Amazon. What are Amazonian parrots and are they suitable for home keeping? Is it possible to make friends with them and teach the bird to "talk", not to be afraid of guests and feel free in the house?

Choosing a winged pet, many people stare at the noisy, bright Amazons. These are quite large birds with a cheerful character, which do not give boredom to their masters. They are unpretentious and very fond of attention. What kind of bird is an Amazonian parrot, the peculiarities of keeping and caring for such a pet, other interesting facts - all these nuances will be useful to study the future owners of the Amazons.

What does the Amazon look like?

The Latin name Amazona was appropriated to this genus of parrots in 1830. In the genus, according to various sources, there are from 26 to 32 species of birds. They are all dense and large. The smallest species has a body length of 25 cm, and the largest - about 45 cm. The main color of feathering is green, but different types of birds are distinguished by combinations of shades. In addition, the species of Amazons differ in color spots on different parts of the body. The spots on the head, chest, wings or tail are bright and well marked.

All Amazonian parrots have a strong beak of medium length, the upper part of which is rounded, and the superclobe forms an acute rib with the base. The color of the beak can be black, brown or yellowish gray.

A common feature of all varieties of Amazons is a short, slightly rounded tail. The parrots do not impress with the wingspan, the wing covers the middle of the tail.

How to determine the age and sex of the Amazon

At home, Amazonian parrots can live up to 70 years, in the wild, birds survive to 40-50 years. But to understand the age of the pet when buying is quite difficult. Young individuals are identified by the grayish-brown iris of the eyes. But by the age of three the color of the iris becomes red-brown and no longer changes. After three years to determine the age of the bird is virtually impossible.

Clearly expressed sexual characteristics of the Amazons do not. Male and female do not differ in plumage. In shops and nurseries, sex is determined by the marital behavior in the group. With a single content, sex can only be determined by a veterinarian, by doing endoscopy or DNA analysis.

Distribution in nature

Amazonian parrots (Amazons) live in Central and South America. Flocks of these birds inhabit forests in the Amazon basin and plains, overgrown with cactus and shrubs. But some species are found on the Antilles , for example, the royal Amazon lives on the island of Saint Vincent, the yellow-shouldered Amazon is often found on the island of Bonaire.

Conditions of detention

It can not be said that an Amazonian parrot requires the creation of some unique conditions. The main difficulty is to provide a fairly large space for the cell. The bird should be able to spread its wings in a cage, without catching the grate. In addition, you need to consider that these parrots are very mobile. In the dwelling, it is necessary to install crossbeams, rings and rockers. The distance between objects should allow you to jump from one to another. The main problem faced by Amazon parrots is the content in small cells. The owners of these birds for some reason are sure that since the parrot can freely fly around the apartment, then a large cage is not needed. Although the ideal conditions could be created by fencing one of the corners of the room for the pet and arranging a comfortable aviary there.

In nature, the Amazons live mainly on trees. On the ground they descend very rarely. This means that the feeders and drinkers in the cage must have a hanging mount. A feathered pet will be uncomfortable to peck feed from a feeding trough placed on the floor.

If the owner does not plan to release the bird from the cage, then it is not worthwhile to start an Amazon. This parrot needs a daily warm-up. Ideal option - equipment in one of the rooms of a walking patch. Here, snags are placed chaotically, thick branches at different levels, perches and toys. The bird flutters and jumps for pleasure, strengthening its wings and legs. Branches and driftwood can be collected in any park or in the forest, you do not need to remove the bark from them, but you should wash them with a brush and scald with boiling water. By the way, about toys ... They must necessarily be on a walking patch, and in a cage. Otherwise, parrots begin to gnaw furniture, tear curtains or spoil books. The bird simply needs to apply its irrepressible energy somewhere.

Amazonian parrots are great lovers of water. They like to swim in the "pools" and under the shower. It is especially important to give the pet such an opportunity in the summer when the apartment is hot. In extreme cases, the bird can be sprayed from the atomizer, this will also be useful for feathering the pet.

Climatic mode

In nature, Amazonian parrots are used to a warm climate. This means that in captivity they also need warmth. The temperature in the room should not fall below 22 ° C. Sharp temperature changes and drafts will lead to sickness of the feathered friend.

Pay attention to humidity. If there is a possibility, then in the room there should be a humidifier, if there is no such device, then the same atomizer is used. If the air is very dry, then the parrot has dandruff, the skin begins to itch, and the feathers become brittle.

sunlight

For health and active life, Amazons need a large amount of ultraviolet radiation. Do you know that the window glass partially delays the ultraviolet rays? This means that a special lamp must hang over the cage, which burns all day, during the activity of the bird.

If the owner has a desire and opportunity, then he can endure his Amazon in the summer on the street. This will require a large cage, which can be placed in the garden or in the front garden.

The nature and behavior of the pet

Amazonian parrots are suitable only for sociable people. If you like peace and quiet, then it is better to have fish. Amazons noisily pop their wings and shout loudly. In this case, it is not necessary that the pet wants something. He can make loud noises while flying through rooms, while playing or sitting on a branch. The peak of sound activity falls on morning and evening. Otherwise, the Amazonian parrot behaves calmly. He is not afraid of strangers, he loves attention and shows his talents with pleasure. If desired, the owner can learn a few funny tricks with the bird, as these parrots are amenable to training.

The imitation of human speech to different kinds of Amazons is given in different ways. They can remember 50-60 words or phrases. But to imitate everyday sounds and mimic other animals, these birds learn very quickly. Many Amazons are able to imitate the sounds of musical instruments or memorize favorite songs of the hosts.

If a person has offended your pet, then it will not be easy to deserve his forgiveness. Parrots of this species have an excellent memory.

What do the Amazons eat

Before buying people are wondering whether the parrots of Amazon are very choosy about eating? The maintenance, care, feeding, it is difficult or not to provide such a pet with sufficient comfort - these questions are of interest to potential owners in detail. About the maintenance and care of a bird it is told much, but about its nutrition it is necessary to talk more in detail.

Owners of Amazons often make the same mistake. They make the basis of the diet cereal mixtures. But in nature these parrots do not have access to a large number of grain feeds. Their diet consists of kidneys, flowers and various fruits and only a small percentage - it's seeds and grains.

Ideally, you need to plan the Amazon diet so that approximately 60% of its food is fruit and greens, and 40% will remain on the grain mix. In the feed should be a large number of small grains, so you should choose a mixture for medium parrots, although the pets themselves are closer to large birds. If the parrot refuses millet and canariens, then give it spikes that are sold in pet stores. Amazonian parrots gladly harvest corn kernels.

Feathered pets love seeds and nuts, but they can not give much of this food. Obesity causes illness and shortens the life of a parrot. During moulting and reproduction in the diet can be introduced into the germinated seeds. This diet is added 2-3 times a week. In the spring, green branches with buds and young foliage can be placed in a cage.

Feeding

Vitamins and mineral fertilizing are given to Amazons in accordance with the instructions, as each manufacturer can have a different dosage.

For the Amazonian parrots bring a special clay. You can buy such top dressing in veterinary pharmacies and pet stores. But in our conditions, Amazonian clay can be replaced by pure white apothecary clay. The main thing is that it does not contain dyes. Small cakes are made from this raw material. First, a thick "dough" is mixed from the clay with the addition of sand for birds, and then the cake is dried in air or in the oven.

Once every few weeks, a quail egg or shrimp can be added to the diet, but many Amazones do not need protein.

How to buy Amazon?

Do you need an Amazonian parrot? The price of this bird will be pretty decent. In the nursery, you are unlikely to find an Amazon cheaper than 30 thousand rubles. But do not save, buy an individual ringed with a non-removable ring, which contains information about the age, field and place of birth of the chick. Illegal vendors will be asked cheaper, but buying such a bird can bring more problems than joys.