The Red-necked or Blue-faced Amazon Parrots
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The Red-necked Parrot (Amazona arausiaca), also known as the Blue-faced Amazon, is an Amazon parrot that is native to South America, specifically the Island of Dominica in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. They prefer lowland and montane forest areas to 2,600 ft (780 m).
With a population of less than 400 birds, this striking-looking parrot is very endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting.
They are mostly observed singly, in pairs or in small groups. Other than their early morning and late afternoon calls, they are very quiet and are difficult to detect as they are well camouflaged by plumage. They are agile climbers and are likely migrating seasonally depending on food supplies. They are spectacular flyers with powerful wing beats; occasionally interspersed with gliding phases. Their calls are usually harsh and croaking; occasionally sounds similar to those of humans.
Description:
This parrot averages 15.75 ins (40 cm) in length. Its plumage is primarily green, but the feathers of the nape, neck and back are tipped with dusky black. The forehead, crown, lores and cheeks are violet-blue, and the feathers at the middle of the lower throat are red, hence the name "Red-necked Amazon Parrot." Their bills are horn-colored with grey tips. The irises are orange-red and their feet are grey.
Immatures birds look similar but can be distinguished by their brown irises.
Aviculture:
Breeding in aviculture has not yet been achieved, except for one hybrid Red-necked / Yellow-crowned Amazon that was raised in Dominica. This hybrid was then paired up with another red-necked amazon parrot and they successfully produced offspring. A roosting / nestbox should be provided with approximate dimensions of 14 x 14 x 48 ins (35 x 35 x 120 cm).
This is a medium-noisy to noisy parrot, whose calls are heard particularly in early morning. They are hard chewers and enjoy bathing.
The breeding season starts in March and goes on until about July. These amazon parrots nest in the hollows of tall trees. The average nest consists of 1 to 3 eggs.
They need spacious outside flights, with minimum dimensions of 30 x 9 x 8ft (10 x 3 x 2.5 m) with adjoining inside area 9 x 9 x 8 ft (3 x 3 x 2.5 m); metal construction essential as they are heavy chewers.
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
- 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 ... Grooming
- Diet:
- Their natural diet consists of seeds, fruits and berries; probably also buds and nuts.
- A typical captive diet would include fruit (such as apples, bananas, and oranges) and vegetables (including carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers). A good quality seed mix of safflower, oats, wheat, hemp, buckwheat, canary grass seed, millet and some sunflower should also be provided. Sprouted seeds are valuable nutritional food sources. Small quantities of pine-nuts should be fed on a regular basis, as well as some peanuts. Greenfood is really important as well as adding a quality vitamin and mineral supplement to their diet.
- To learn more about the diet of the captive Amazon Parrot, please visit this webpage.
- Parrot Products
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Amazona arausiaca ... English: Red-necked Amazon ... Dutch: Roodkeelamazone ... German: Blaukopfamazone ... French: Perroquet bouquet, Amazone cou rouge
CITES I - Protected Species
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots
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!
