Yellow-crowned or Yellow-fronted or Yellow-headed Amazon Parrots
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The Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot aka Yellow-fronted Amazon (Amazona ocrocephala ocrocephala) is native to the rainforest areas of Northern South and Central America.
Distribution / Range:
They are found in the Amazon Basin and Guianas - Northern Brazil, Venezuela, Middle Amazonia, Eastern Andes, Colombia and Trinidad.
Localized populations exist in north-western South America and Panama.
It is mainly a lowland bird, but has locally been recorded up to 800 m (2600 ft) along on the eastern slopes of the Andes.
These Amazon parrots favor tropical forest areas (both humid and dry), woodland, mangroves, savanna and may also be found on cultivated land and suburban areas.
Sub-species / Taxonomy
There are several subspecies of Yellow-crowned Amazons, including the Yellow-naped Amazon.
There is a lot of controversy about the taxonomy of the Amazona ochrocephala complex. Some authorities consider it to be a single species, while others split it into three species:
- Yellow-crowned Amazon - A. ochrocephala - nominate group - East-central and south-eastern Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the northern and eastern Amazon Basin in Brazil.
- Amazona o. xantholaema:Marajó Island, in the Amazon River delta of north-eastern Brazil. Amazona o. nattereri: Far south-eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia and south-western Amazon Basin of Brazil (east to around Mato Grosso). Often included in A. o. ochrocephala.
- Panama Amazon Amazona o. panamensis: Western Panama to north-western Colombia
- Yellow-naped Amazon A. auropalliata
- Southern Mexico to north-western Costa Rica.
- Amazona a./o. parvipes: Mosquito Coast in eastern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua.
- Amazona a./o. caribaea: Bay Islands, Honduras.
- Yellow-headed Amazon Amazona oratrix oratrix: Pacific and Gulf slopes of Mexico.
- Tres-Marias Amazon Amazona oratrix tresmariae, previously Amazona ochrocephala tresmariae: Tres Marias Islands (Islands off the west coast of Mexico)
- Belize Yellow-headed Amazons Amazona oratrix belizensis, previously Amazona ochrocephala belizensis: Belize.
- Amazona oratrix hondurensis: Sula Valley, Honduras - Only recently described, while the population in north-western Honduras and adjacent eastern Guatemala (near Puerto Barrios) resembles belizensis and commonly is included in that subspecies, but may actually represent an undescribed subspecies. It has sometimes been referred to as guatemalensis, but until officially described, the name remains provisional.
- Greater Yellow-headed Amazon Amazona oratrix magna - previously A. ochrocephala magna - Carribean Side of Mexico. Most authorities consider this sub-species invalid, instead including this population in oratrix.
The splits are mainly based on:
However, the taxonomy is extremely complex and future changes / clarifications are anticipated.
- the amount of yellow in the plumage, the color of the legs and bill
- the close proximity of the oratrix group and auropalliata group in Oaxaca, Mexico, without apparent interbreeding
- the presence of members of both the nominate group and the auropalliata group in northern Honduras
Description
This parrot averages 13 - 15 inches (33 - 38 cm) in length, including its short squarish tail.
Like most Amazons, its plumage is mostly green; There are rainbow markings in many areas. Yellow markings can be seen at the crown, lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head), and thighs, and can occasionally be seen in the areas around the eyes. The amount of yellow to the head varies, with nominate, nattereri and panamensis having yellow restricted to the crown-region, although occasionally a few random feathers can be seen around the eyes. However, the subspecies xantholaema has most of the head yellow. The yellow on the forehead is far less yellow than that of the Double Yellow-head parrot (Amazona oratrix).
The wings are spectacular, as the primaries exhibit a lovely violet-blue, with secondaries (shorter, upper "arm" feathers) also possessing this striking violet-blue at the tips and outer webs; and there are red markings appear at the bend of the wing, while a yellowish green color marks the edges. The red and dark blue markings are often difficult to see when the bird is perched.
The tail has a yellowish green base with red tail feathers. They have a light bone beak and light gray feet. The cheeks and ear coverts (feathers covering the ears) are green. The eyes are marked by orange irises and white eye-rings.
They have a dark bill with a large horn or reddish spot on the upper mandible except panamensis, which has a horn colored beak.
Sexing: Males and females look alike. DNA sexing is recommended for breeder birds.
Immature Yellow Crowns exhibit the same colors as the mature adults, but they are typically more muted, and the yellow is not as developed, except at the lores and crown. Except for the wing speculum (= distinctive wing patch), juveniles have little yellow and red to the plumage.
Personality / Pet Potential:
The Yellow-crowned Amazon parrots are known for their playful antics and excellent talking abilities. This being said, talking ability will vary between birds and even though many of them are excellent talkers, some may never learn to talk. They are handsome and generally affectionate. Their friendly and playful nature make them excellent pets.
They are easily tamed and trained and are known to be very active - which makes them more suitable to an environment that allows them to fly and move around, such as an aviary or flight. Provided they are given sufficient daily exercise, they can adjust to indoor cages and indoor living as well.
They are known for their loud voices, which is said to be the loudest of all Amazon Parrots. People who are not tolerant to noise, will not do well with this parrot.
Like most larger parrots they can also be very destructive and their need to "customize their environment" needs to be redirected by providing them plenty of chewing toys and branches.
Their longevity should also be a consideration. These parrots can live to the old, ripe age of 60 to 80 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 of the amazon parrots 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."
- 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.
- 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 M. Patt - practicing Veterinarian in Mesa, Arizona - 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 is vital to stop this aggressive behavior.
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 to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "" Training Course.
- the 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
- The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy
- Housing Your Bird
- Parrot Products
Diet / Feeding
Their diet includes a variety of fruits, nuts, seeds and berries. These parrots are normally found in pairs or small flocks up to 30, but larger groups may gather at clay licks.
- Bird Nutrition ... To learn more about the diet of the captive Amazon Parrot, please visit this webpage.
Breeding
The Yellow-crowned Amazon parrots mate for life. The breeding season commences in early spring. In their natural habitat, they are cavity nesters. They typically nest in a hollow in a tree, palm or termite mounts, where they lay two to three eggs. The incubation time is about 26 - 28 days, and the chicks leave the nest about 60 days from hatching.
Status / Conservation
The Yellow-crowned Amazon is faily common throughout a large part of its range and occurs in numerous protected areas, although they
This species is currently considered to be of least concern by BirdLife International, and, consequently, also by IUCN. Although populations are believed to be in decline they do not yet approach the threshold specified by BirdLife International to rate the species as Near Threatened. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala ochrocephala ... English: Yellow-crowned Amazon, Yellow-fronted Amazon ... Dutch: Geelvoorhoofdamazone, Surinaamse Amazone ... German: Gelbscheitelamazone ... French: Amazone à front jaune, Perroquet à front jaune
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: oratrix, tresmariae, auropalliata, parvipes, belizensis, panamensis, nattereri, xantholaema, ochrocephala
Sub-species:
Species: Scientific: Amazona oratrix or ochrocephala belizensis aka Amazona belizensis ... English: Belize Yellow-headed Amazon ... Dutch: Beliza Amazone ... German: Gelbkopfamazone ... French: Amazone de Belizensis - CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: British Honduras
Greater Yellow-headed Amazons:
Species: Scientific: Amazona oratrix magna, previously Amazona ochrocephala magna ... English: Greater Yellow-headed Amazon ... Dutch: Grote Geelkopamazone ... German: Großer Gelbkopfamazone ... French: Amazone de Magna - CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: Carribean Side of Mexico
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala xantholaema ... English: Marajo Yellow-headed Amazon ... Dutch: Marajo Amazone ... German: Marajo Amazone ... French: Amazone de Marajo - CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: Marajo Island Para (Mouth of Amazon River), Northern Brazil
Average Length: 35 cm / 14 in
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala nattereri aka Amazona nattereri ... English: Natterer's Amazon ... Dutch: Natterer's Amazone ... German: Nattereramazone, Grüne Amazone ... French: Amazone de Natterer - CITES II - Endangered Species
Average Length: 35 cm / 14 in
Distribution: Southern Colombia, Ecuador, Eastern Peru, Northern Bolivia, Brazil
Species: Scientific: Amazona oratrix tresmariae, previously Amazona ochrocephala tresmariae ... English: Tres-Marias Amazon ... Dutch: Tres Marias Amazone ... German: Tres Marias Amazone ... French: Amazone de Tres Marias - CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: Tres Marias Islands (Islands off the west coast of Mexico)
Average Length: 38 cm / 15.2 in
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