Red-spectacled Amazon Parrots or Pretre's Amazons

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The Red-spectacled Amazon or Pretre's Amazon (Amazona pretrei) is native to south-eastern Brazil, State to Rio Grande do Sul and northern Uruguay, and possibly seasonal migrations of small populations may occur to north-eastern Argentina and the extreme south-eastern Paraguay. This parrot's preferred habitat includes forest areas, particularly seeking out Parana pine (Araucaria angustifolia) and Podocarpus lamberti forest up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). They may also occur in forested areas along rivers at lowest altitude.

They usually congregate in family groups or flocks of between 5 and 150 birds. Some times large gatherings can be seen in roosting places. During the breeding season, pairs usually separate to prepare for the task of raising a family. The average clutch size consists of 3 to 4 eggs which are incubated for 26 to 27 days.

They tend to be quiet during breeding seasons and difficult to detect. Outside these times, they are conspicuous and noisy, and they can frequently be seen flying over trees. They often fly great distances and seasonal migration has been noted depending on availability of food sources.

This parrot is now very rare and close to extinction due to habitat destruction and trapping for the pet trade.

Description:

This parrot averages 12.4 - 12.5 ins. (31 - 32 cm) in length. The plumage is generally green; with exception of wings all feathers with distinct black edging. The forehead, lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head), crown, eye area, lower thighs, bend, edge of wing as well as feathers in between are green and primary-coverts are red. The primaries (= longest wing feathers) are green with blue tips. Under-wing and under-tail coverts as well as underside of wings green. The upperside of the tail is green with yellowish-green tips and red to base of inner webs of three outer feathers. The periophthalmic ring is whitish. The bill horn-colored and the irises are orange-yellow. The feet are pale yellowish-grey.

Female look alike, but they have up to six red primary-coverts feathers, although mostly fewer. The remainder of the primary-coverts are green. The edges of the wings are often green. The feathers between bend and edge of wing are green.

Immatures look like females, but they have dark brown irises and some green primary-coverts; less red plumage.

Captive Red-spectacled Amazon Parrots:

These parrots are comparatively quiet compared to other amazon species. They are inquisitive and usually calm. They have a pleasing nature, but can get occasionally noisy, especially in early morning and evenings. They soon grow confiding. Outside the breeding season, they can be set up in a colony system. They are hard chewers and enjoy being sprayed. They are excellent flyers and climbers and ample opportunities for exercising should be provided.

Captive breeding has seldom been achieved. Only a few birds are established in breeding situations. Breeding pairs need to be isolated during the breeding season as they tend to get aggressive towards other birds during this time. The hen lays 3 to 4 eggs, which she incubates for 26 to 27 days. The young fledge when they are about 50 to 55 days old, but the parents continue to feed them for up to 11 weeks after leaving the nest. Any pairs set up in breeding situations should be protected from disturbances, as they may abandon their breeding efforts if spooked or upset.

They should have spacious accommodations: an outside aviary of the following minimum dimensions would be suitable: 15 x 3 x 6 ft (5 x 1 x 2 m) with adjoining shelter 3 x 4.5 x 6 ft (1 x 1.5 x 2 m). As they are avid chewers, metal construction is recommended. A roosting box should be provided at all times, with the following dimensions: 12 x 12 x 16 ins (30 x 30 x 40 cm) to protect from frost in winter and during the summer they will serve as nesting boxes.

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:

1. Understand that this is a natural behavior.



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. In some instances, the vet may prescribe drugs that balance out a pet's hormones.



5. 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
  • BREEDERS:
    • Recommended Breeders
    • 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 ... Grooming



• Diet:
  • The bulk of the Red Spectacled Amazon's natural diet consists of seeds, berries, fruits (Eugenia sp, Campomanesia sp, Nectandra spp, Ocotea spp.); probably also flowers, buds and nuts foraged in trees.
  • Captive food items should include a quality seed mix consisting of safflower, wheat, oats, canary grass seed and various millets; sprouted and with sunflower in spring and summer; millet spray. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially apple, carrot, grapes, pear and orange; rose-hip, elder and rowan berries; half-ripe maize; greenfood; as well as regular mineral supplements and vitamins. Rearing foods should also include plenty of sprouted food, biscuits and protein-rich food items such as soft cheese and egg food or hard-boiled eggs with shell.
  • To learn more about the diet of the captive Amazon Parrot, please visit this webpage.



• Parrot Products

Taxonomy:

Species: Scientific: Amazona pretrei ... English: Red-spectacled Amazon ... Dutch: Roodbrilamazone, Prachtamazone ... German: Prachtamazone ... French: Amazone de pretrei CITES I - Protected Species

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