Yellow-headed aka Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrots
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The Double Yellow Head is probably the best known of all the Amazons. This parrot is endangered in its natural habitat in Central and South America.
Personality / Pet Potential:
These beautiful parrots are very intelligent and imaginative birds that are easily tamed as they enjoy human company. Therefore, they have grown to be very popular in the pet bird trade. They are considered very good talkers and singers.
Some become nippy and they may not be the right pet for the casual owner who doesn't want to take the time to learn about parrot behavior and training. They are generally known to be noisy, thus they may not be suitable for individuals who are intolerant to noise. As is the case with most mid-size to large parrot, they can be destructive unless their energy is redirected at chewing toys, natural & non-toxic branches, and training of tricks.
Behavior:
When excited all feathers of the neck and crown are raised, making the head appear double in size. They demand a lot of attention and will engage in all sorts of behavior to get it. Many Yellow-headed Amazons have a very sweet disposition -- however, some can be nippy and challenging. In the wild, they generally live in large, noisy flocks.
Reproduction:
They reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years of age. During breeding, they live in monogamous pairs and nest in hollow tree limbs. They lay an average of 2-3 eggs, which are incubated for about 28 days.
Physical Description
- Size: 15 - 17 inches (38–43 cm)
- Shape: robust build, rounded wings, and a square tail
- Body is bright green, with yellow on the head, dark scallops on the neck, red at the bend of the wing, and yellow thighs
- Flight feathers are blackish to bluish violet with a red patch on the outer secondaries. The base of the tail also has a red patch, which is usually hidden. The outer tail feathers have yellowish tips.
- The bill is horn-colored, darker in immatures of the Belizean and Honduran subspecies
- The eye ring is whitish in Mexican birds and grayish in others.
- Immatures have less yellow than adults; they attain adult plumage in 2 to 4 years.
- Male and female look alike.
- Mutations: lutino and blue mutations and myriad variations have been produced in aviculture
- Lifespan: 60 to 80 years
Below is a photo of Tommy - a beautiful and rare mutation double headed amazon. According to his owners, he is a great pet. He likes attention and wants to be close to the action. He can be very vocal screaming "come here, come here!" Like just about all parrots, he likes to discipline by biting from time to time. Training is recommended to prevent undesirable behavior.
Cost / Procurement:
Between $500 and $1,400 (depending on location and source; mutations extra). For information on purchasing this bird, please consider the following resources:
- What Bird Fits Into My Lifestyle?
- Procuring Birds
- 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
- Caring for your companion bird
Species: Scientific: Amazona oratrix aka Amazona ochrocephala oratrix ... English: Yellow-headed Amazon ... Dutch: Dubbele Geelkopamazone ... German: Doppelgelbkopfamazone ... French: Amazone de Levaillant
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
