Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrots
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The Yellow-shouldered Parrot or Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Amazona barbadensis barbadensis) is endemic to northern Venezuela, the Venezuelan islands of Margarita and La Blanquilla, and the island of Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles).
This parrot has become extinct on Aruba and possibly also on Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles).
Outside the breeding seasons, they are highly gregarious when not breeding, forming flocks of up to 100 birds.
Description:
The Yellow-shouldered Amazon averages 31 - 33 cm (~12.4 inches) in length (from head to tip of the tail).
Its plumage is mostly green, with yellow patches on the head, shoulders, around the eyes, and often over the ear openings and chin. The thighs and the bend of the wing (also known as "shoulders") are also yellow, but both can be difficult to see.
It has bare, white eye-rings and a red patch on the wings. The throat, cheeks and belly often have a bluish tinge. It has broad dark blue tips to the flight feathers and a red wing-speculum. Its beak is horn colored.
Similar Species ID:
Within its range, the yellow shoulder patch and extensive yellow on the head distinguish the Yellow-shouldered Amazon from other Amazon Parrot species, which have red or orange on the shoulder and less yellow on the head (the Orange-winged Amazon, which has as much yellow to the head as some Yellow-shouldered Amazons, has a blue eye region).
However, outside its range, several other Amazon Parrot species have as much or even more yellow on their heads.
Vocalizations / Calls:
The Yellow-shouldered Amazon call is a rolling cur'r'r'k.
Diet and feeding
Its primary diet consists of fruits, seeds and cactus flowers.
Breeding
The Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrots nest in tree cavities. The average clutch size consists of 3 to 4 eggs, which are incubated for 26 - 28 days
Yellow-shouldered Amazons as Pets:
Yellow-Shouldered Amazons are rare Amazons with engaging personalities. They are inquisitive and curious to the point of being "nosy" and their gentle nature only adds to their charm.
Always playful, Yellow Shoulders are active Amazons that require a cage stocked with toys. They can be quite the acrobats so swings and hanging toys are also a must.
Yellow Shoulders can become accomplished talkers and are usually very outgoing. Our breeding pairs of Yellow Shoulders always have words for us as we service their flight.
Yellow Shoulders, like all Amazons adore a bath and will display and talk nonstop as they bathe under the spray of warm water. Curious as they are, Yellow Shoulders will quickly investigate anything placed in their food bowls so feeding a proper diet is very important. Yellow Shoulders are rare Amazons and are listed on Appendix I of CITES. We occasionally offer them as life-long companions (Source: R&B Aviary.com - Breeder & Parrot Connoisseur)
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:
- 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.
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Amazona barbadensis barbadensis ... English: Yellow-shouldered Amazon ... Dutch: Geelvleugelamazone, Geelschouderamazone ... German: Gelbschulteramazone ... French: Amazone à épaulettes jaunes ... CITES I - Protected Species
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: barbadensis, rothschildi
Distribution: Coast of Venezuela, Aruba in the Netherlands Antilles
Sub-species:
Species: Scientific: Amazona barbadensis rothschildi ... English: Rothschild's Amazon ... Dutch: Rothschilds Geelvleugelamazone ... German: Rothschilds Gelbschulteramazone ... French: Petite amazone à épaulettes jaunes - CITES I - Protected Species
Distribution: Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles, Islands Coast Venezuela
Average Length: 33 cm / 13.2 in (includes tail)
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