Scaley-naped Amazon Parrots or Mercenary Amazons
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
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The Scaly-naped Amazon is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela; where it inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Sub-species:
- Mercenary Amazon
(Amazona mercenaria mercenaria) - Nominate Species
- Range: Andes Mountains of Peru and Bolivia
- Average Length: 34 cm / 13.6 in
- Grey-naped Amazon (Amazona mercenaria canipalliata)
- Range: Andes Mountains of Colombia
- Average Length: 34 cm / 13.6 in
Description:
The Scaly-naped Amazon parrot averages 13.5 ins (34 cm) in length. The plumage is generally green. The forehead, cheeks, upper and under tail-coverts are light green. The crown and nape have a faint blackish edging to the feathers. The edge of the wing is yellow with a reddish tinge. The primary coverts and primaries (= longest wing feathers) are turning violet-blue towards the tip. There is a red wing-speculum on three outer secondaries. The tail is green with a greenish-yellow tip. The outer tail feathers have a red band. The bill is dark grey with a lighter base. The irises are red and the feet are grey.
Immatures look alike, except they have darker irises.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Amazon ownership generally presents multiple challenges, such as excessive chewing, biting or voicing - especially at certain stages in their life.
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
- 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 mercenaria mercenaria ... English: Scaly-naped Amazon ... Dutch: Schubnekamazone, Soldatenamazone ... German: Soldatenamazone ... French: Amazone militaire
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: canipalliata, mercenaria
Grey-naped Amazon
The Grey-naped Amazon Parrot is native to the Andes from Ecuador, Colombia and mountains of northwest Venezuela. They prefer open forests, open areas with woodland, wooded mountain ridges, edges of cloud forest or wooded valleys in P ramo region between 4,800 ft (1,600 m) and 10,800 ft (3,600 m); also in localities from 2,400 ft (800 m). Only few of these beautiful parrots can still be found in their natural habitat.
Description: They are about 13.5 ins (34 cm) long. The plumage looks similar to that of the Scaley-naped Amazon Parrot featured above, except they don't have the red wing-speculum. They have maroon markings on the base of three outer secondaries, which are only visible when the wings are spread.
Breeding has not yet been achieved in captive situations.
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
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!
