Orange-winged Amazons
Useful Webpages: General Information about Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Species ... Amazon Photo Gallery .... The Diseases of the Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Nutrition / Diet ... Amazon Parrot Incubation Data
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The Orange-winged Parrot, Amazona amazonica, is a large Amazon parrot. It is endemic to the tropical areas in South America, from Colombia, Venezuela, Equador, Trinidad and Tobago south to Peru, Northern Bolivia, Central Brazil, and South-Western Mato Grosso.
Reproduction:
The Orange-winged Parrot lays three to five white eggs in a tree cavity, which are incubated by the female for 25 - 27 days, with a further two months to fledging.
Description:
Orange-Winged Amazons are one of the smaller Amazons. They average 12 to 13 (~31 - 33 cm) in length; but some subspecies are as small as 10 inches. They weigh around 340 grams.
They are often confused with Blue-fronted Amazons. However, the orange-winged amazons are the only amazon with orange feathers in their wings, thus the name Orange-Winged Amazon. The color flight feathers in the Blue Fronts are red.
The plumage is mainly green with a blue forehead, some yellow on the crown, cheeks and outer tail tips, and an orange speculum. The beak is horn-colored with a gray tip. The feet are pale grey / horn brown.
Males and females look alike.
Please also refer to the below cinnamon mutation featured below to the right ...
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Orange Winged Amazons are considered to be temperamental - even more so than the Blue-fronted Amazons, which may present some challenges to the owners. However, they are quick learners and adapt well to most situations.
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.
- Talking / Voicing / Calling / Screaming: Orange-winged Parrots are noisy birds and make loud, high-pitched screams. Some are good talkers, but many are more adept at mimicking sounds. 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:
Orange-winged amazons cost between $300 and $800 (depending on location and source).
- BREEDERS:
- New York City: New York City: Birds New York is a private aviary located in New York City.
New York City: Tel. (917) 204-1457 ... info@lienluu.comBreeder of the Amazing Cinnamon Mutation featured further up on this page. Also breeds Blue Yellow-naped Amazon, Cinnamon White-fronted Amazons, Yellow Red-lored Amazons, Vinaceous Amazons, Cuban Amazons, Blue mutation African Grey Parrots, Purple-bellied Parrots, Asiatic Parakeets) and Eclectuses; Dilute and Lutino Plumhead Parakeets, Violet Indian Ringneck Parakeets, Lovebirds: Slaty, Lutino, Violet, Pied and Fallow Masked Lovebirds
- Click here for breeder listing.
Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- New York City: New York City: Birds New York is a private aviary located in New York City.
- BREEDERS:
- The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy
- Housing Your Bird
- 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.
- Parrot Products
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Amazona amazonica amazonica ... English: Orange-winged Amazon ... Dutch: Oranjevleugelamazone, Venezuela Amazone ... German: Venezuela Amazone ... French: Amazone à ailes oranges, Perroquets amazone aux ailes orange
CITES II - Endangered Species
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: amozonica, tobagensis
Sub-species:
Distribution: Guianas
Species: Scientific: Amazona amazonica micra ... English: Micra Orange-winged Amazon ... Dutch: Micra Oranjevleugelamazone ... German: Micra Venezuela Amazone ... French: Amazone à ailes vertes de Micra
Distribution: Trinidad and Tobago Islands
Average Length: 31 cm / 12.4 in (includes tail)
Species: Scientific: Amazona amazonica tobagensis ... English: Tobago Orange-winged Amazon ... Dutch: Tobago Oranjevleugelamazone ... German: Tobago Orangeflügelamazone ... French: Perroquet amazone de Tobago
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
