Vinacea Amazons / Vinaceous Amazons
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The Vinaceous Amazon Parrot (Amazona vinacea) is also known as Vinaceous Amazon, Amazone Bourgogne, Amazone Vineuse, Amazona Pechivinosa, Amazona Vinosa, Loro Pechivinoso, or Loro Pecho Vinoso.
This parrot is native to northern Argentina, southeastern Brazil and eastern Paraguay, inhabiting lowland and highland Atlantic forests, extending up to 2000 m. Its preferred natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and plantations.
The Vinaceous Amazon Parrot is a protected species, as it is threatened by habitat loss and has become rare throughout its extensive native range. It is also not readily available in aviculture and every effort should be made to breed available breeding stock.
Description:
Vinaceous amazons are medium-sized, stocky green parrots, measuring 30 to 36 cm (12 - 14 inch) from beak to tail and weighing 300 to 450 grams. They have been named for their vinaceous or purple-maroon belly patch, which appears as a suffusion of color on their heavily scalloped chest and abdomen coverts.
This colorful parrot has a bright green plumage with a dark edging to feathers, giving scaly effect. It has a narrow red forehead, lores and speculum and its nape is pale bluish. The breast is suffused vinous-maroon. They have turquoise- tinged primaries and a green tail with red base of outer-tail feathers. Their pinky-red bill has a yellowish tip.
Sexing: Vinaceous amazons are monomorphic (no visual difference between sexes); however, males are generally larger than females and tend to have a little wider red patch on the forehead. Their beaks and heads are generally larger as well. However, this is not a precise method of identifying a sex due to individual differences. For accurate sexing, surgical or DNA sexing is recommended.
Immatures: Young birds have pale red lores and yellow irises. Their beaks are red only at the base.
Voice / Call:
Vinaceous amazons are quiet compared to other Amazon species but can still be noisy especially during breeding season. Therefore, when considering to breed these amazons, noise and proximity to neighbors should be a consideration.
Their calls are high-pitched and nasal, warbled cráu or rac-rac, and hollow créu calls, when perched.
Housing:
These parrots very active and should be provided the largest flight or cage possible. A planted aviary is always preferable; however, if this is not possible provide the most spacious cage or flight that space and budget allows. They need enough space to be able to fly on a daily basis. Ideally, an outdoor space would be provided for enrichment, exercise and sunlight.
These parrots crave privacy and security and a "retreat" / secure area should be provided to protect against fear responses.
Durable cage construction is not as critical as it is for macaws and cockatoos. It may be recommended to use escape proof latches on cages.
Vinaceous amazons should always be provided with toys, blocks of wood or branches that they can chew.
Breeding:
In their natural habitat, Vinaceous Amazons nest in high tree cavities often in small colonies and sometimes in cliffs.
They are fairly easy to breed in captivity and females may breed as young as two years. Their breeding season in North America is the spring, typically from February or March to June or July. The hen lays 2 to 4 eggs, which hatch after about 28 days. Both parents feed the young,
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.
Nesting Box: The nesting box that has been used for this species of amazon parrots is a Grandfather-style wooden nest boxes with dimensions approximating 12" x 12" x 24". In cases of mate aggression, a nesting box with two different entrances are recommended.
Mate Aggression: Male Vinaceous Amazons may show aggression towards their mates. Cage construction and management should take into consideration techniques to reduce aggression. If mate aggression becomes evident and providing a larger flight is not effective in reducing the mate aggression, it is preferable to separate the pair. If this is not something the breeder wants to consider, clipping the wings of aggressive males prior to the breeding season will help the female escape in case the male becomes aggressive. A different style of nesting box should be considered as well -- one with two exists allow the female to escape if attacked in the nesting box. More information on Mate Aggression can be found on this website.
Personality:
The Vinaceous Amazon parrots are gentle, affectionate birds that are easily tamed, but they are not known to be good talkers.
Lifespan:
In their natural habitat, Vinaceous amazons are estimated to live up to 50 years, judging by life span of similar species. As this species is rare in aviculture, there is little known about their lifespan in captivity.
Diet:
In the wild, they eat primarily tree seeds, such as Araucaria, Podocarpus, Eucalyptus and Pilocarpus seeds.
In captivity, a good quality fortified seed mix in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables should be provided. Because of their tendency to obesity, Vinaceous 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.
Vinaceous Amazon Parrots as Pets:
Vinaceous amazons are intelligent, inquisitive birds with moderate speaking ability. They are relatively gentle and easily to tame but they are uncommon in captivity, and are seldom available for pets.
As they are endangered, they should be used for breeding if at all possible.
Procurement & Care:
For information on purchasing this bird, please consider the following resources:
- What Bird Fits Into My Lifestyle?
- Procuring Birds
- Breeders: NY City: Birds New York - a private aviary located in New York City.
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here for info.
- NOTE: Aviculturists and breeders of Protected Species that take part in the preservation and conservation of critically endangered birds are encouraged to list their group information at no cost to them. Please e-mail me the information.
Please refer to the following websites for information:
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Housing your bird
- The 3 Key Elements to Your Pet Bird's Happiness and Health
- Caring for your companion bird
Species: Scientific: Amazona vinacea ... English: Vinaceous Amazon ... Dutch: Wijnkleurige Amazone, Wijnborst Amazone, Wijnrode Amazone ... German: Taubenhals Amazone ... French: Amazone vineux, Amazone bourgogne
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