Yellow-billed Amazon Parrots aka Yamaican Yellow-billed Parrots
Useful Webpages: General Information about Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Species ... Amazon Photo Gallery .... The Diseases of the Amazon Parrots
Relevant Products: Amazon Parrot Books ... Amazon Parrot Cages: Medium (acceptable) - Large-size (preferred) ... Bird Toys ... Amazon Nutrition / Diet
The Yellow-lored Amazons (Amazona xantholorais) is native to South-eastern Mexico, British Honduras, Roatán Bay Islands and Honduras, preferring deciduous forest areas and open rain forests, and heavily degraded former forest. They are common in their natural habitat yet rare in aviculture.
They can be seen in groups of 4 to 6 birds or large flocks outside the breeding season. They are quiet when perched in the trees, but noisy during flight. They gather around in the evenings in roosting trees in large flocks of several thousand birds. At daybreak, they leave the roosting trees to forage.
Description:
The general plumage is green. Feathers are distinctly edged with black. The forehead and forecrowns are white or, in some birds, cream. The lores are yellow. Primary coverts are red. The crown is dull blue with blackish edging to feathers. Ear coverts are blackish. Primaries and outer webs of secondaries are blue, upper and under tail-coverts yellowish green. Upside of the tail is green with greenish-yellow tips. The base to outer tail feathers is red. The bill is yellowish-brown and their feet are brown.
Immatures: Young birds that have not gone through their first molt have a dull blue forehead. Red present in wings of young males, but mostly interspersed with green in young females. The iris is dark.
Sexing: Males and females look alike, except the white on the female's forehead and crown are usually not so extensive. The primary coverts are usually green, in some females several or all primary-coverts are red.
Caring for the Yellow-lored Amazon Parrot:
These amazons are usually peaceful and can usually be kept with other species. They are 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. Their taking ability is very good.
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. The recommended dimensions for an aviary would be 9 x 5 x 6 ft with adjoining shelter (5 x 3 x 6 ft); metal construction is advised, as they like to chew and could easily, over time, destroy an aviary made of wood.
For parrots that are generally kept indoors, it would be ideal to provide them with an outdoor space would be provided for enrichment, exercise and sunlight.
Minimum outside temperature they can tolerate is 65 Degree Fahrenheit (or 18 degree Celsius) during the acclimatization period. They are hardy once acclimatized. If temperatures go below that, heated areas need to be provided.
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, 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.
Personality:
This amazon loves to fly and the ability to do so will prevent it from growing obese. 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. They are inquisitive and become easily confiding. They enjoy bathing or being sprayed. They are very hard chewers and regularly providing them with fresh wood is recommended.
Voice / Call:
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 similar to those of the White-fronted Amazon Parrot.
Breeding
Their breeding season starts in March and goes on until August. In their natural habitat, they nest in hollow branches or tree cavities. Breeding in captivity is rare due to lack of availability of eligible birds.
Breeding pairs should be isolated. Ensure high humidity.
The minimum flight dimensions are: 9 x 3 x 6 ft (3 x 1 x 2 m) with adjoining shelter 5 x 3 x 6 ft (1.5 x 1 x 2m). Metal construction is recommended.
The nest box should be 10 x 10 x 20 inches (25 x 25 x 50 cm), with an entrance hole of 2 ins (6 cm) in diameter.
The female lays 3 to 4 eggs, which she incubates for 26 days. The young fledge after 7 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.
Lifespan:
They may live 50 years or longer.
Diet:
In the wild, they 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 fortified seed mix 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, such as chickweed and dandelions. 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.
Procurement & Care:
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
- The 3 Key Elements to Your Pet Bird's Happiness and Health
- Caring for your companion bird
Species: Scientific: Amazona xantholora ... English: Yellow-lored Amazon ... Dutch: Geelteugelamazone, Goudteugelamazone ... German: Goldzügelamazone ... French: Amazone xantholora, Amazone à lores jaunes 
CITES II - Endangered Species
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!
