Imperial Amazon / Imperial Parrot
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The Imperial Parrot is endemic to the Caribbean island nation of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles where it inhabits mountain forest areas above 2,100 ft (625 m). Only a small population of less than 100 birds of this striking parrot have survived the loss of habitat, trapping for the pet trade and natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
They are now listed on Appendix 1 and II of CITES as threatened / endangered species.
In the wild, they are mostly observed singly, in pairs or small groups of up to 10 birds. They prefer to sit on the top of tall trees. As they are usually quietly resting or feeding in the high canopy of the forest, they are very difficult to detect, especially so as they are well camouflaged by their plumage. These parrots tend to be shy and cautious. They are agile climbers and strong flyers with powerful wing beats occasionally interspersed with gliding phases.
Description:
The Imperial Parrot is the largest member in the genus Amazona, averaging up to 17.75 ins (45cm) in body length. It has is a beautiful green and purple plumage, with a green back, purple neck, green-tipped red tail and purple below. The head is brownish-purple variably washed greenish-blue with black edging to feathers. The ear-coverts are reddish-brown and the cheeks are purplish-brown with narrow black edging. The bill is grey; the irises are orange-red and the feet grey.
Immatures look like the adults, but the back of their heads and napes are green. The rear of their cheeks has a green tinge. Their irises are brown.
Both sexes look alike.
Aviculture:
To my knowledge breeding in captivity has not yet been achieved and they are seldom kept in aviculture. This parrot is initially not as hardy as other species and requires very careful acclimatization. Many of them die after only a few months in captivity. Heated, sheltered areas and a roosting box are recommended, in addition to careful monitoring of the parrot's health status by a qualified avian vet. However, once properly acclimatized, they are pretty hardy.
Due to their acute risk of extinction, any Imperial Amazon in captivity should be placed into a breeding program to hopefully prevent this species from joining the long list of extinct parrots.
They are usually not as active as other amazon species, are strong chewers and enjoy bathing.
Breeding: The breeding season is likely to commence in March and lasts until July. In the wild, they like to nest in tall trees, nesting in hollows of 30-35 ins (75 - 90 cm) in diameter, with an entrance hole of approximately 18 ins (45 cm). The hen lays 1 to 2 eggs.
Accommodation: These parrots need spacious accommodations. Outside flights are preferable and their minimum size should be 30 x 9 x 8 ft (10 x 3 x 2.5 m) with an adjoining sheltered area of 9 x 9 x 8 ft (3 x 3 x 2.5 m). As they are heavy chewers, metal construction is essential. Their nesting box should be around 14 x 14 x 48 ins (35 x 35 x 120 cm).
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 that amazon present 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."
- Biting & Hormonal Behavior:
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.- Training is vital to stop this aggressive behavior.
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 Patt 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.
- Voicing / Screaming: Imperial Amazons are medium-noisy to noisy, with a shrill whistling and shrieking call that can particularly heard in the early morning hours or in the late afternoons. For the rest of the day, they are usually fairly quiet except when alarmed or during flight, when their calls turn trumpeting. 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 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 Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Amazon General Information
- What Bird Fits Into My Lifestyle
- Procuring your Parrot:
- BREEDERS:
- Recommended Breeders
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- BREEDERS:
- The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy
- Housing Your Bird
- Diet:
- In their natural habitat, the diet of the Imperial Amazons consists of seeds (especially Dacryodes excelsa), palm fruits, nuts, fruits, flowers, buds and berries.
- In captivity, they should be fed a varied diet of fruits (apples, bananas, oranges, etc.) and vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.); a good quality seed mix consisting of safflower, oats, wheat, hemp seeds, buckwheat, canary grass seed, millet and some sunflower. Sprouted seeds are also very nutritious and are especially valued as rearing food and during the breeding season. Small quantities of pine-nuts regularly should also be provided, as well as some peanuts. Biscuits and greenfood, such as dandelions, also add valuable nutritious components to this parrot's diet. A good quality vitamin and mineral supplement should be included in its daily dietary program. This parrot is inclined to obesity if not ample opportunities for exercise are provided.
- To learn more about the diet of the captive Amazon Parrot, please visit this webpage.
- Parrot Products
Taxonomy
Species: Scientific: Amazona imperialis aka Amazona augusta ... English: Imperial Amazon ... Dutch: Keizeramazone ... German: Kaiseramazone ... French: Amazone impérial
CITES I - Protected Species
Distribution: Island of Dominica in the Carribean Lesser Antilles
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