Blue-cheeked Amazons, also known as Blue-cheeked Parrots or Dufresne's Amazons
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The Blue-cheeked Amazon or Dufresne's Amazon (Amazona dufresniana dufresniana) was named after the French zoologist Louis Dufresne.
This species possibly forms a superspecies with Red-topped / Red-browned Amazons (Amazona rhodocorytha) and Red-tailed Amazon Parrots (Amazona brasiliensis). It formerly included the Red-browed Amazon as a subspecies, but is now considered monotypic (one single species).
Distribution / Range
This rare species is found in northeast South America; specifically in south-east Venezuela (Bolívar with an isolated record in Amazonas), north Guyana, north-east Suriname and north-east French Guiana. There are reports from Pará and Amapá, Brazil, where its occurrence seems probable, but there are no conclusive records.
They inhabit humid forest and cloud-forest in the lower subtropical zone, but are known from savanna woodlands in Venezuela. This species occurs up to 1,700 m in Venezuela and 560 m in Guyana.
There are some seasonal movements most likely in response to food availability, from interior to coastal Suriname in July to August.
The numbers of this species have declined as a result of trapping for food and pet trade as well as habitat loss, particularly in the Gran Sabana region of Bolívar and parts of coastal Guianas.
Description:
The Blue-cheeked Amazon Parrot averages 13.3 - 14.4 inches (~ 34 - 36 cm) in length (including tail) and weigh around 16.8 - 21 oz (480 - 600g).
The plumage is mostly green. It has blue cheeks from around the eye to the neck (less on young). The have a yellow-orange wing speculum, a yellowish crown and orange lores (the region between the eye and bill on the side of a bird's head). The bill is grey with pink/red at base of upper bill. The eye rings are grey and the irises are orange/red.
Males and females look alike.
Juveniles look like adults but duller. The forehead and lores are dull yellow. The crown and occiput are green. The lower cheeks to ear coverts (feathers covering the ears) are green, slightly washed blue. There is less yellow on the outer secondary (wing) feathers. The bill is pale pink tinged grey. The irises are brown and the eye rings grey/white.
Vocalizations
They make trilling calls that sound like cheeet cheeeet cheeet followed by whistle.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Amazon ownership generally presents multiple challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Aggressive behavior is especially common in "hormonal" amazons. Undisciplined amazons will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable.
Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.
Behavioral challenges of the amazon parrots may include:
- Excessive Chewing: Any parrot will chew. In nature, they use their beak to "customize" their favorite tree, to enlarge the size of their nest in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps their beaks in good condition. The problem is excessive and undesirable chewing. Undisciplined parrots will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. The owner needs to provide plenty of "healthy" chewing opportunities (bird toys, natural wood branches, etc.) and training is necessary to teach an amazon parrot what is fine to chew on and what is "off-limits."
- Dominant Behavior: Amazon Parrots, as most parrots, are likely to discover their beaks as a method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage." It really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established.
- Hormonal Aggression: Amazon parrots are also known for their "hormonal" aggression phase. This phase usually appears between the ages of 5 to 12 years. During this time there will be one to two years in which they are likely to be very aggressive. Fortunately, once they go through this, they generally settle down with little or no aggression shown outside the breeding season - with some aggression, but to a lesser degree, when they are in breeding condition.
Amazons going through that stage are difficult to handle for many but the most experienced amazon owners. Species such as Lilac Crowns and Mealies are less excitable than other amazon species during the breeding season. Females tend to be calmer than males during this phase. An attack by a hormonal male can be vicious and will not be limited to one bite.
Many bird owners are bewildered by the fact that their previously so cuddly pet suddenly turns on them - their primary caretakers. To add insult to injury, their pet may pick another family member as their favorite. Dr. Jill M. Patt - Practicing Veterinarian in Mesa, Arizona, describes this being similar to a wild bird leaving its parents and choosing a mate. She suggests the following ways of dealing with it: - Understand that this is a natural behavior.
- Have the family member the bird has picked limit their interaction with your bird, spend time with the bird when that family member is absent, and ensure that only you are the one to provide all favorite treats and activities.
- The environment can also be altered somewhat to attempt to reduce breeding behavior. Limiting the daylight hours to mimic a winter sun will often help.
- In some instances, the vet may prescribe drugs that balance out a pet's hormones.
- Click here for more information on reducing hormonal behavior in birds.
- Calling / Voicing / Screaming: Not everybody can tolerate the natural loud call of an amazon, and even though it can't (or should not) be entirely eliminated, there are ways to discourage screaming / screeching. Amazon parrots are excellent talkers though, and their natural loud call can be replaced with human speech with a little bit of training. Fortunately, they are quick learners.
Training is vital to stop this aggressive behavior.
Training and behavioral guidance will help your pet be the kind of companion you want it to be ...
- AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "" Training Course.
- the to teach your parrot to:
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Bird Nutrition ... In the wild, its natural diet consists of seeds, nuts, fruits and plant material. To learn more about the diet of the captive Amazon Parrot, please visit this webpage.
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Amazona viridigenalis ... English: Green-cheeked Amazon ... Dutch: Groenwangamazone ... German: Grünwangenamazone ... French: Amazone à joues vertes CITES II - Endangered Species
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