Yellow-billed Amazon Parrots aka Yamaican Yellow-billed Parrots
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The Yellow-billed Amazon Parrot (Amazona collaria) is native to the island of Jamaica and the West Indies inhabiting mid-level, wet limestone forests at elevations up to 1,200 m. They are known to fly considerable distances to feeding areas, including sea-level plantations.
This parrot is now rarely seen in the wild and listed as an endangered species due to habitat destruction and harvesting of the young chicks for the pet trade. They are usually seen in pairs or small flocks, and easiest located by call.
Description:
This chunky parrot averages 11 inches (28 cm) in length, from bill to tail. It's mostly green with white facial markings. Primary coverts and primaries are blue. Secondary feathers are dull blue. Iris brown and feet are pinkish / flesh color.
Head / Neck: The forehead and eye area are whitish. The forecrown is a dull blue. Lores and upper cheeks are blue interspersed with white. The throat, lower cheeks and some feathers on the breast are rose-red, each feather being edged bluish-green. The ear coverts are blackish-blue.
Tail: Upperside green with greenish-yellow tips. Under tail coverts are yellowish-green. The base of the outer tail feathers is red.
Immatures: Young birds have little or no white to the forehead; they have less rose-red and their irises are dark.
Sexing: They are monomorphic (no visual difference between sexes). For accurate sexing, surgical or DNA sexing is recommended.
Personality:
The Yellow-billed Amazon loves to fly and as sedentary amazons tend to grow obese, allowing them to remain flighted and giving them plenty of opportunities to exercise, will prevent them from growing obese and prolong their lifespan. They can be very noisy in the morning and in the evening. They are easily tamed and usually get along with other bird species outside the breeding season. During breeding season, they should be isolated from other birds. Their taking ability is very good.
Caring for the Yellow-billed Amazon Parrot:
This species is rare both in their natural habitat as well as in captivity. As such, every captive specimen of this species that is capable of breeding should be placed into a well-managed breeding program, and not sold as pets - to ensure the long-term survival of this species.
Yellow-billed amazons can live up to 50 years, in some instances, even longer - provided they are given the exercise and nutrition they require for optimal health. These parrots very active and should be provided the largest flight or cage possible. They have a tendency to get obese in small aviary or cage settings and require a lean diet.
For parrots that are generally kept indoors, it would be ideal to provide them with an outdoor space for enrichment, exercise and sunlight. Durable cage / aviary construction is not as critical as it is for macaws and cockatoos, although metal aviaries are preferred to wooden ones. It may be recommended to use escape proof latches on cages / aviaries. Amazons should always be provided with toys, blocks of wood or branches that they can chew. These parrots crave privacy and security and a "retreat" / secure area should be provided to protect against fear responses.
Breeding the Yellow-billed Amazon Parrot:
Their breeding season starts in March and goes on until August. In their natural habitat, they nest in hollow branches or tree cavities and, at times, build their nest in rock crevices.
In captivity, breeding pairs should be isolated. The recommended dimensions for an aviary would be 12 x 5 x 6 ft with adjoining shelter; metal construction is advised, as they like to chew and could easily, over time, destroy an aviary made of wood. A planted aviary is always preferable; however, if this is not possible provide the most spacious flight that space and budget allows. They need enough space to be able to fly on a daily basis. As far as the nesting box is concerned, the following dimensions work well: 10 x 10 x 24 inches (25 x 25 x 60 cm), with an entrance hole of ~ 3 ins (8 cm) in diameter. Please note that the lowest outside temperature they can tolerate is 50 Degree Fahrenheit (or 10 degree Celsius). If temperatures go below that, heated areas need to be provided.
The female lays 2 to 4 eggs measuring 1.42 x 1.25 ins (36.0 x 29.2 mm), which she incubates for 26 days. The young fledge after 8 weeks.
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.
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.
- Screaming: They are medium-noisy to noisy parrots. Although noise levels are mostly high in the morning and evening, less so during the day. Their calls are raucous, rolling screeches. 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:
- 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 ... The Basics of Grooming
- Bird Nutrition: In the wild, Yellow-billed Amazons eat fruits, berries and seeds. They are occasionally seen foraging in gardens and fruit plantations, occasionally causing damage to grain fields.
In captivity, a good quality unfortified / organic seed mix (human grade) in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables should be provided, especially apples, carrots, bananas and citrus fruits, as well as rose-hips, elderberries, rowanberries, half-ripe maize and green food. They also enjoy sprouted seeds and pine-nuts. Because of their tendency to obesity, these 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.
In breeding season, a good quality mineral supplement and bread and biscuits for rearing should be provided.
- To learn more about the diet of the captive Amazon Parrot, please visit this webpage.
- Parrot Products
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Amazona collaria ... English: Yellow-billed Amazon ... Dutch: Geelsnavelamazone, Roodkeelamazone ... German: Jamaika Amazone ... French: Amazone à gorge rouge
CITES II - Endangered Species
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!
