Puerto Rican Amazons aka Iguaca
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The Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot (Amazona vittata vittatais) an endemic parrot of the archipelago of Puerto Rico. Its range is believed to have included the offshore island of Vieques in the past. The species is the only remaining native parrot in United States territory and one of the 10 most endangered bird species in the world.
Another common name for the Puerto Rican Parrot is Iguaca, an onomatopoeic name given by Taínos that resembled the sound the parrots make when they take flight.
Description:
This parrot averages 11.5 ins (29 cm) in length. Its general plumage is green. The breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts are yellowish-green. The head, breast, nape, back and some of the abdomen feathers have a black edging. The forehead and lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head) are red and the abdomen in some birds have reddish tinge.
The primary-coverts and primaries (= longest wing feathers) are dark blue and the outer webs of the outermost secondaries are blue with green edging
The bill is horn-colored, the feet are flesh-colored and the irises are brown.
Immatures have dark irises and paler and less extensive red foreheads. The base of their upper beak is tinged in grey.
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.
- 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 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
- Choosing the Right Pet Parrot for Your Lifestyle
- Procuring your Parrot
- BREEDERS:
- NY City: Birds New York - a private aviary located in New York City.
- 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 ... Grooming
- 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 vittata vittata ... English: Puerto Rican Amazon ... Dutch: Puertoricaanse Amazone, Roodkopamazone ... German: Puerto Rico Amazone ... French: Amazone à front rouge, Amazone de Puerto Rico
Sub-species:
This Amazon Parrot was formerly found on Culebra Island to the East of Puerto Rico, but became extinct in that area at the turn of this century. Today, this extremely endangered species is restricted to Luquillo Mountains, an area of about 44 sq. miles (114 sq. kilometres), with a wild population of only about 50 birds and 30 to 40 in captivity.
The causes of their decline are habitat destruction, hunting, trapping for the pet trade as well as natural causes, such as hurricanes.
Description: They look like the Puerto Rican Amazon featured above, except at a length of 10 ins (25 cm), they are generally smaller and have more slender feet.
Call: Raucous, rolling screech; special alarm call when flying off.
Breeding: The breeding season starts in February and continues until about June. They nest in tree hollows; although nowadays accept artificial nest sites. The females lay 2 to 4 eggs, which she incubates for 25 to 27 days. The young fledge when they are about 65 days old. They reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years.
Aviculture: They are more susceptible than other amazon species and difficult to acclimatize. At this time, they are only kept at a breeding station of the US Fish and Wildlife Service on Puerto Rico and in Patuxent Research Center, Maryland, U.S.A. Their flights are 10.3 x 5.3 x 8.3 ft (3.1 x 1.6 x 2.5 m) with an adjoining shelter of 6.6 x 9.6 x 8.3 ft (2.0 x 2.9 x 2.5 m). As they are heavy chewers, metal construction was used. Their nest boxes are 16 x 16 x 32 ins (40 x 40 x 80 cm).
Diet: Mainly fruits, berries vegetables and nuts grown on Puerto Rico; also seeds, leaves, branches, bark, flowers, and buds; especially feeds off palm fruits (Prestoea montana) during breeding season. Additionally, sunflower seeds as well as vitamin and mineral supplements. Peanuts are often offered -- however, peanuts are often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds, other animals, and even humans. Roasting reduces aflatoxin but does not eliminate it entirely. North American peanut producers are currently working on eliminating contaminated peanuts from their products. Especially peanuts with dark spots on them should be considered suspect, but even those that look clean and perfect could possibly be contaminated.
Taxonomy: Species: Scientific: Amazona vittata gracilipes ... English: Culebra Island Amazon ... Dutch: Culebra Amazone ... German: Culebra Amazone ... French: Amazone de Culebra
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