Vinacea Amazons / Vinaceous 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
Books, DVDs and Other Media about Amazons (Sold / shipped out of: 
| 
| 
| 
)
The Vinaceous Amazon Parrot (Amazona vinacea) is also known as Vinaceous Amazon, Amazone Bourgogne, Amazone Vineuse, Amazona Pechivinosa, Amazona Vinosa, Loro Pechivinoso, or Loro Pecho Vinoso.
Distribution / Range
This parrot is native to northeast Argentina, southeastern Brazil and eastern Paraguay, inhabiting lowland and highland Atlantic forests, extending up to 2000 m.
Its preferred natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and plantations.
The Vinaceous Amazon Parrot is a protected species as it is threatened by habitat loss and has become rare throughout its extensive native range. It is also not readily available in aviculture and every effort should be made to breed available breeding stock.
In their natural habitat, Vinaceous amazons are estimated to live up to 50 years, judging by life span of similar species. As this species is rare in aviculture, there is little known about their lifespan in captivity.
Description:
Vinaceous amazons are medium-sized, stocky green parrots, measuring 30 to 36 cm (12 - 14 inch) from beak to tail and weighing 300 to 450 grams. They have been named for their vinaceous or purple-maroon belly patch, which appears as a suffusion of color on their heavily scalloped chest and abdomen coverts.
This colorful parrot has a bright green plumage with a dark edging to feathers, giving scaly effect. It has a narrow red forehead, lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head) and speculum (= distinctive wing patch) ; and its nape is pale bluish. The breast is suffused vinous-maroon. They have turquoise- tinged primaries and a green tail with red base of outer-tail feathers. Their pinky-red bill has a yellowish tip.
Sexing: Vinaceous amazons are monomorphic (no visual difference between sexes); however, males are generally larger than females and tend to have a little wider red patch on the forehead. Their beaks and heads are generally larger as well. However, this is not a precise method of identifying a sex due to individual differences. For accurate sexing, surgical or DNA sexing is recommended.
Immatures: Young birds have pale red lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head) and yellow irises. Their beaks are red only at the base.
Housing:
These parrots very active and should be provided the largest flight or cage possible. A planted aviary is always preferable; however, if this is not possible provide the most spacious cage or flight that space and budget allows. They need enough space to be able to fly on a daily basis. Ideally, an outdoor space would be provided for enrichment, exercise and sunlight.
These parrots crave privacy and security and a "retreat" / secure area should be provided to protect against fear responses. Durable cage construction is not as critical as it is for macaws and cockatoos. It may be recommended to use escape proof latches on cages. Vinaceous amazons should always be provided with toys, blocks of wood or branches that they can chew.
Breeding:
In their natural habitat, Vinaceous Amazons nest in high tree cavities often in small colonies and sometimes in cliffs.
They are fairly easy to breed in captivity and females may breed as young as two years. Their breeding season in North America is the spring, typically from February or March to June or July. The hen lays 2 to 4 eggs, which hatch after about 28 days. Both parents feed the young,
Diet during Breeding & Chick Raising: High-protein baby cereal and bread soaked in honey-water are essential during the breeding season; also necessary are sunflower seeds, monkey chow, fruits (banana, apple, tomato) and greens.
Nesting Box: The nesting box that has been used for this species of amazon parrots is a Grandfather-style wooden nest boxes with dimensions approximating 12" x 12" x 24". In cases of mate aggression, a nesting box with two different entrances are recommended.
Mate Aggression: Male Vinaceous Amazons may show aggression towards their mates. Cage construction and management should take into consideration techniques to reduce aggression. If mate aggression becomes evident and providing a larger flight is not effective in reducing the mate aggression, it is preferable to separate the pair. If this is not something the breeder wants to consider, clipping the wings of aggressive males prior to the breeding season will help the female escape in case the male becomes aggressive. A different style of nesting box should be considered as well -- one with two exists allow the female to escape if attacked in the nesting box. More information on Mate Aggression can be found on this website.
Vinaceous Amazon Parrots as Pets:
Vinaceous amazons are intelligent, inquisitive birds with moderate speaking ability. They are relatively gentle and easily to tame but they are uncommon in captivity, and are seldom available for pets. As they are endangered, they should be used for breeding if at all possible.
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.
- Voicing / Screaming:
Vinaceous amazons are quiet compared to other Amazon species but can still be noisy especially during breeding season. Therefore, when considering to breed these amazons, noise and proximity to neighbors should be a consideration.
Their calls are high-pitched and nasal, warbled cráu or rac-rac, and hollow créu calls, when perched. 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, in general, 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. This being said, the Vinaceous Amazon Parrot is not known for their talking abilities; however, little is known as they are so are as pets.
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:
- Click here for Breeders of Amazon Parrots
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- Click here for Breeders of Amazon Parrots
- Housing Your Bird ... Grooming
- Diet:
In the wild, Vinaceous Amazon Parrots eat primarily tree seeds, such as Araucaria, Podocarpus, Eucalyptus and Pilocarpus seeds.
In captivity, a good quality unfortified / organic seed mix (human grade) in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables should be provided. Because of their tendency to obesity, Vinaceous Amazons should given small amounts of sunflower or safflower seeds as treats, except when they are in breeding mode. Willow twigs should be provided throughout the year.
To learn more about the diet of the captive Amazon Parrot, please visit this webpage. - Parrot Products
Taxonomy
Species: Scientific: Amazona vinacea ... English: Vinaceous Amazon ... Dutch: Wijnkleurige Amazone, Wijnborst Amazone, Wijnrode Amazone ... German: Taubenhals Amazone ... French: Amazone vineux, Amazone bourgogne
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!
