Green-cheeked aka Red-crowned Amazons, Red-crowned Parrots or Mexican Red Headed Parrots

Useful Webpages: General Information about Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Species ... Amazon Photo Gallery .... The Diseases of the Amazon Parrots ... Amazon Nutrition / Diet ... Amazon Parrot Incubation Data

Books, DVDs and Other Media about Amazons (Sold / shipped out of: | | | ) ... Listing of Amazon Breeders

---

Also refer to: Red-topped Amazon Parrot (Amazona dufresniana rhodocorytha) as it is also referred to as "Red-crowned Amazon Parrot."

The Red-crowned Parrot - also known as Mexican Red Head Amazon or Green-cheeked Amazon (Amazona viridigenalis) - is an endangered Amazon parrot native to the lowlands of North-eastern Mexico to Northern Veracruz. The current population of between 3,000 and 6,500 is decreasing. The main threats to its survival are the illegal export of trapped birds from Mexico to the USA, and the destruction of habitat.

This species was introduced, and now populates, urban communities of southern California with mature trees. The exact point of introduction of many wild parrots and conures has been the subject of urban legends throughout the state.

They gather in large flocks being noisiest in the morning and evening. The characteristic screeching heard of these birds usually occurs when traveling en masse to new feeding areas. Green-cheeked Amazon (Northeast Mexico). The average clutch size consists of 4 eggs, which are incubated for about 28 days.

Their diet in the wild consists mainly of seeds, fruits, berries, flowers and nectar.

This parrot is often kept as a pet being very affectionate and playful. Although some are talkers, they are best at mimicking sounds

Description:

The red-crowned amazon parrot averages 12 to 13.2 inches (~ 33 cm) in length (including tail). Their plumage is generally green with the most notable features being dark blue streaks behind the eyes, a bright red forehead and crown with light green cheeks. Their forehead, crown, and lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head) have red feathers. There is a violet blue band from above their eyes to their neck -- this blue band is absent in very young birds. The beak is yellowish-horn colored and their feet pale grey-green/brown.

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Amazon ownership generally presents multiple challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Aggressive behavior is especially common in "hormonal" amazons. Undisciplined amazons will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable.

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 that amazon present 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."



• Biting & Hormonal Behavior:
  
  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.
  • Training is vital to stop this aggressive behavior.

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 Patt describes this being similar to a wild bird leaving its parents and choosing a mate. She suggests the following ways of dealing with it:

1. Understand that this is a natural behavior.



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. In some instances, the vet may prescribe drugs that balance out a pet's hormones.



5. 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 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 Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
    • Stop Biting
    • Perform Tricks &
    • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
  • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

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 - Red-crowns may cost between $500 and $1,000 (depending on location and source).
  
  
  • BREEDERS:
    
    
    • SW Michigan: Silver Cloud Aviary - http://www.silvercloudaviary.com
      Breeder of African Greys (TAG & CAG), Amazons (DYH, Mexican Red-Headed, Lilac- Crowned, Yellow-Naped), Cockatiels, Conures (Green Cheek [Pineapple, Cinnamon, Yellow-Sided, Turquoise and Normals] and Sun Conures), Eclectus (SI) and Rosellas (Stanley/Western) - Ship (weather permitting)
    
    
    
    • Click here for more breeders. Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.



• The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy



• Housing Your Bird



• 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.



• Parrot Products

Taxonomy:

Species: Scientific: Amazona viridigenalis ... English: Green-cheeked Amazon ... Dutch: Groenwangamazone ... German: Grünwangenamazone ... French: Amazone à joues vertes CITES II - Endangered Species

---

Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info

The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!