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 ... Amazon Parrot Incubation Data

Books, DVDs and Other Media about Amazons ... Listing of Amazon Breeders

The Red-lored Parrot - also known as Primrose-cheeked Amazon or "loro cariamarillo" (Amazona autumnalis autumnalis) - is endemic to the tropical regions of the Americas, from eastern Mexico south to Ecuador. A disjunct population exists in central Brazil, where it occurs in humid evergreen to semi-deciduous forests up to 1,100 m altitude. It is absent from the Pacific side of Central America north of Costa Rica. Not originally known from El Salvador, a pair - perhaps escaped from captivity - nested successfully in 1995 and 1996 in the outskirts of San Salvador and the species might expand its range permanently into that country in the future.

It is one of the most common pet parrots here in the United States, although it is considered endangered in some areas, notably parts of Mexico and Venezuela. This parrot appears to adapt to human-altered habitat to a considerable degree. However, the major threat to its existence is the trapping for the petbird trade..

Subspecies:

Red-lored Amazons, Amazona autumnalis autumnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) - Nominate Species
- Caribbean coasts from eastern Mexico south to northern Nicaragua.

Description:

The Red-lored Amazon averages 12 - 13.6 inches (30 to 35 cm) in length (including tail) with a wingspan from 15 to 17 inches (38 to 43 cm). The average weight is 310-480g.

The plumage is primarily green, with red forehead, in some subspecies yellow cheeks (sometimes with red spots). The crown is blue and thick. The tip of the lower beak is gray horn; the upper beak is light horn-colored. The feet 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.

Juveniles have less yellow on cheeks, less red on forehead, and dark irises.

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

Beautiful yellow mutation of the Red-lored Amazon

Breeding / Nesting

The Blue-fronted Amazon nests in tree cavities. The eggs are white and there are usually three or four in a clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 26 days and the chicks leave the nest about 60 days after hatching.

Diet / Feeding

Their natural diet consists of a variety of fruits, nuts and seeds

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Many consider the Red-lored Amazon to be one of the prettiest of the Amazon Parrots. They can make very affectionate, loyal and gentle pets.

Some make fairly good talkers. Like most Amazon parrots, they often have a tendency to vocalize loudly and biting can also become a problem. Their behavior ranges from being quiet and curious to being aggressive, this can all be changed by basic training when the bird is of young age. 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 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.

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 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 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.

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.
- Click here for Breeders of Amazon Parrots
  - Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
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 autumnalis autumnalis ... English: Red-lored Amazon ... Dutch: Geelwangamazone ... German: Gelbwangenamazone ... French: Amazone à joues orangées

Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: autumnalis, salvini, lilacina, diadema

Sub-species:

Diademed Amazons:

Distribution: Lower Rio Negro area, central / northwestern Brazil

Length: 34 cm / 13.6 in

Species: Scientific: Amazona autumnalis diadema ... English: Diademed Amazon ... Dutch: Diadeem Amazone ... German: Diademamazone ... French: Amazone diadema - CITES II - Endangered Species

Lilacine or Equador Amazons or Lesson's Amazons:

Distribution: Western Ecuador North of the Gulf of Guayaquil in South America

Average Length: The Lilacine Amazon is a small parrot, approximately 34 cm or 13.6 inches long (including tail) when mature, with primarily green plumage. This subspecies of the Red-lored Amazon is generally smaller than its fellow subspecies, with a black beak and more subdued coloring. Like the Red-lored Amazon, it has red lores and yellow cheeks; its distinguishing features include a fully black beak, and lilac-tipped feathers on its crown

Breeding Data: Average clutch size: 3 eggs; Incubation days: 26

Species: Scientific: Amazona autumnalis lilacina ... English: Equador Amazon, Lilacine Amazon ... Dutch: Equador Amazone ... German: Ekuadoramazone ... French: Amazone liliac, Amazone de Equador - CITES II - Endangered Species

Salvin's Amazons

High Quality Species Photos, Videos and/or Articles Contributions are welcome! Click here to upload articles and images.

Please Note: The images on this page are the sole property of the photographers (unless marked as Public Domain). Please click on the image links to contact photographers directly for any copyright or licensing questions. Thank you.

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!