Red-lored Amazon aka Yellow-cheek Amazon
Useful Webpages: General Information about Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Species ... Amazon Photo Gallery .... The Diseases of the Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Nutrition / Diet
Relevant Products: Amazon Parrot Books ... Amazon Parrot Cages: Medium (acceptable) - Large-size (preferred) ... Bird Toys
The Red-lored Parrot, also known as "loro cariamarillo", is one of the most common pet parrots here in the United States, although it is considered endangered in its natural habitat, specifically Mexico, Nicaragua, Bay Islands and Honduras.
Some people consider them to be one of the prettiest of the Amazons. They are affectionate, loyal and gentle pets. Some have reported that their birds are good talkers.
Description:
The Red-lored Amazon averages 12 - 13 inches (30 to 32.5 cm) in length (including tail) with a wingspan from 15 to 17 inches (38 to 43 cm) . The plumage is primarily green, with red forehead, yellow cheeks (sometimes with red spots). Young chicks have less yellow on cheeks and less red on forehead. The crown is blue and thick. The tip of the lower mandible is gray horn; the upper mandible is light horn-colored. The feed are light to dark grey.
Males and females look alike; although some breeders opine that mature females have brown irises while mature males have a golden iris. If identifying the correct sex is important, this imprecise technique may not suffice and DNA sexing is recommended.
Mutations:
The below photos of the beautiful yellow mutation of the Red Lored Amazon Parrot has been provided by Lien Luu - Breeder of Rare Mutations & Species in New York City: www.lienluu.com
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Red-lored Amazons are intelligent parrots that respond well to training. 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: 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.
- Voicing / Calling / Screaming: Redlored Amazons can be loud, but are described as quiet by some owners. So individual differences appear to exist. They are not known to be the best talkers amongst the amazons. They can be very loud at certain times of the year (spring time / mating season). 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. Their natural loud call can be replaced with human speech given some 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
: Cost between $500 and $800 (depending on location and source). Of course, more for mutations.
- 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
- 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
Top Photo provided by: R&B Aviary - Breeder & Parrot Connoisseur. Mutation Photos by: Birds New York - a private aviary located in New York City.
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Amazona autumnalis autumnalis ... English: Red-lored Amazon ... Dutch: Geelwangamazone ... German: Gelbwangenamazone ... French: Amazone à joues orangées
Sub-Species: autumnalis, salvini, lilacina, diadema
Sub-species:
Distribution: North-Western Brazil
Species: Scientific: Amazona autumnalis diadema ... English: Diademed Amazon ... Dutch: Diadeem Amazone ... German: Diademamazone ... French: Amazone diadema
CITES II - Endangered Species
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 4 - click on link to view photo.)
Distribution: Western Ecuador North of the Gulf of Guayaquil
Species: Scientific: Amazona autumnalis lilacina ... English: Equador Amazon, Lilacine Amazon ... Dutch: Equador Amazone ... German: Ekuadoramazone ... French: Amazone liliac, Amazone de Equador
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
The Salvin Amazon's is a subspecies of the Red-lored Amazon (described above) and is only found in a small area around Nicaragua, Venezuela and Colombia. It differs from the nominate Red-lored in that it lacks the yellow cheeks. Due to its small distribution area there have never been large numbers exported from the wild and are not common in captivity but thankfully it appears they are still relatively common in the wild.
Distribution: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Western Colombia, North-Western Venezuela
Species: Scientific: Amazona autumnalis salvini ... English: Salvin's Amazon ... Dutch: Salvin's Amazone ... German: Salvin Amazone ... French: Amazone de Salvin
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
Photo contributions and articles are welcome!
