White-fronted or Spectacled Amazon Parrots
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The White-fronted Amazon or Spectacled Amazon Parrot is the most abundant of the Amazon Parrots.
They are native to Southern Mexico and Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua), where they frequent dry areas with trees, cactus and thornbush savannah, as well as rain forest areas from sea level to 1,850 m (6,200 ft). They are often seen visiting fruit plantations and cultivated areas.
In the wild, they are not shy and people are often able to approach them. They are usually quiet and inconspicuous when feeding or resting in trees.
Flocks may congregate and people have seen groups that number into the hundreds. The White-fronted Parrots are most often seen in small flocks of up to 20 birds. These groups may also contain flocks from other species such as the Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis) and the Yellow-lored Amazon (Amazona xantholora).
The species is divided into three subspecies, differentiated by slight color differences:
- the White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons subsp. albifrons) - Nominate Form
- the Lesser White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons subsp. nana) and
- the Sonora White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons subsp. saltuensis).
Description:
Though the White-fronted Parrot is of average size, it is relatively small when compared to other Amazons at a typical length of only 9 - 10.4 inches (~24 cm).
This species is named for the bright white patch of feathers which is seen on their foreheads, although the amount of white varies from individual to individual. They have green plumage throughout, red coloring around their eyes (in some individuals almost like a mask) and blue coloring on their outspread wings and behind the patch of white on their foreheads. The beak is light yellow and their feet are light grey / brown-gray.
Unlike other amazon species, males and females can be distinguished by appearance; males have bright red feathers on their shoulders (alula), while females have green shoulders.
Calls / Vocalization
White-fronted Amazon Parrots are medium-noisy to noisy with shrill, raucous or barking calls.
Diet / Feeding:
Natural Diet: They feed on a variety of fruits, particularly figs as well as berries. They also eat various seeds, nuts, leaf buds and flowers. They are also considered crop pests as they forage regularly in grain fields causing considerable damage to crops.
Captive Diet: A good quality dry food mix should be available at all times that may includes sunflower, safflower, wheat, oats, canary grass seed and various millets. Sprouted seeds should also be available - especially spring and summer. Additionally, a fresh supply of fruits and vegetables should be provided daily, particularly figs, bananas, peaches and apples; as well as half-ripe maize, rose-hips and greenfood, such as chickweed and dandelion. They also need regular mineral supplements and soft foods when raising young.
- Please click here for more information on diet.
Personality / Pet Potential / Aviculture:
Like most other amazon parrots, the White-fronted Amazon can get noisy -- which should be a consideration for those who are intolerant to noise. Even though talking is not one of their strong points, some individual birds have developed impressive vocabularies.
White-fronted Amazons are lively birds that need plenty of space to exercise. They are initially shy and reserved, but young birds will soon grow confiding. They are very hard chewers, and measures need to be taken to bird proof the area the pet is in to protect furnishings. A regular supply of fresh wood / branches are necessary to redirect their urge to chew.
They are susceptible to intestinal infections during acclimatization period, but are hardy once acclimatized. They may get aggressive towards other species as well as their caretaker especially during the breeding season.
Their life expectancy can exceed 50 years.
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:
White-fronted Amazons cost between $300 and $600 (depending on location and source - mutations are more expensive).
- 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
- 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
Breeding / Nesting
Their breeding season is usually in the spring, starting in February and ending in the summer (in June and July in most areas). In their natural range, the breeding season usually starts in November.
After breeding, the female will lay an average of three to four eggs each measuring 30.3 x 22.7 mm (1.19 x 0.89 ins). Eggs are incubated for 24 to 26 days and chicks fledge at an age of 7 to 12 weeks.
Breeding in captivity has rarely been achieved. It's best to isolate pairs during the breeding season, which usually commences in May if kept outdoors, earlier if housed in indoor flights.
They get particularly noisy during the breeding season, and are often aggressive towards their caretaker during that time as they are protective of their nest.
These lively parrots need a spacious flight (3 x 1 x 2 m or 9 x 3 x 6 ft) with an adjoining shelter to protect them from the elements (1.5 x 1 x 2 m or 5 x 3 x 6 ft). As they are heavy chewers, metal construction of the outside flight is recommended.
A suitable nestbox would be of the following dimensions: 25 x 25 x 50 cm (10 x 10 x 20 ins) with entrance hole 6 cm (2 ins) wide.
Taxonomy
Species: Scientific: Amazona albifrons albifrons ... English: White-fronted Amazon ... Dutch: Witvoorhoofdamazone, Gebrilde Amazone ... German: Weißstirnamazone, Brillenamazone... French: Amazone à front blanc, Amazone à joues rouges
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: saltuensis, albifrons, nana
Sub-species:
Distribution: South-eastern Veracruz, north-eastern Chiapas, Southern Mexico, North-Western Costa Rica
Average Length: 26 cm or 10.4 in (includes tail)
Species: Scientific: Amazona albifrons nana ... English: Lesser White-fronted Amazon ... Dutch: Kleine Witvoorhoofdamazone ... German: Kleiner Weißstirnamazone, Kleiner Brillenamazone ... French: Petit Amazone à front blanc
CITES II - Endangered Species
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
Distribution: Sinaloa, Western Durango, Southern Sonora, Nort-Western Mexico
Average Length: 26 cm or 10.4 in (includes tail)
Species: Scientific: Amazona albifrons saltuensis ... English: Sonora White-fronted Amazon ... Dutch: Sonora Witvoorhoofdamazone ... German: Sonora Weißstirnamazone ... French: Amazone à front blanc de Sonora
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
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