White-fronted or Spectacled Amazon Parrots
Useful Webpages: General Information about Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Species ... Amazon Photo Gallery .... The Diseases of the Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Nutrition / Diet
Relevant Products: Amazon Parrot Books ... Amazon Parrot Cages: Medium (acceptable) - Large-size (preferred) ... Bird Toys
The White-fronted Amazon is the most abundant of the Amazon Parrots, and they are native to Southern Mexico and Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua).
The White-fronted Parrots are most often seen in small flocks of up to 20 birds. They are found in a variety of different habitats from wet regions such as rainforests, to drier areas such as cactus savannahs. Their breeding season is usually in the spring, starting in February and ending in the summer (in June and July in most areas). After breeding, the female will lay an average of three to four eggs. Eggs are incubated for 24 to 26 days and chicks fledge at an age of 10 to 12 weeks.
In the wild, they are not shy and people are often able to approach them. Flocks may congregate and people have seen groups that number into the hundreds. These groups may also contain flocks from other species such as the Red-lored Parrot.
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 nine to ten inches.
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 feeet are light grey / brown-gray.
Unlike other amazon species, males and females can be distinguished by appearance (sexual dimorphism): males have bright red feathers on their shoulders (alula), while females have green shoulders.
Personality / Pet Potential:
Like most other amazon parrots, the White-fronted Amazon can get noisy -- which should be a consideration for those who are intolerant to noise. Their life expectancy can exceed 50 years. Even though talking is not one of their strong points, some individual birds have developed impressive vocabularies.
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: 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.
- 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). For information on purchasing this bird, please consider the following resources:
- BREEDERS:
- NY City: Birds New York - a private aviary located in New York City.
- 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 albifrons albifrons ... English: White-fronted Amazon ... Dutch: Witvoorhoofdamazone, Gebrilde Amazone ... German: Weißstirnamazone, Brillenamazone... French: Amazone à front blanc, Amazone à joues rouges
Sub-Species: saltuensis, albifrons, nana
Sub-species:
Distribution: South-eastern Veracruz, nort-eastern Chiapas, Southern Mexico, North-Western Costa Rica
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
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.)
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!
