Yellow-crowned or Yellow-fronted or Yellow-headed Amazon 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
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The Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot aka Yellow-fronted Amazon (Amazona ocrocephala ocrocephala) is native to the rainforest areas of Northern South and Central America. They are endangered (CITES II) in their natural habitat of Northern Brazil, Venezuela, Middle Amazonia, Eastern Andes, Colombia, and Trinidad.
In their natural habitat, they are cavity nesters. Each clutch averages 2-3 eggs, which are laid in early spring. The average incubation period is 26 - 28 days. The Yellow-crowned Amazon parrots mate for life.
There are several subspecies of Yellow-crowned Amazons, including the Yellow-naped Amazon. The sub-species are listed at the bottom of this page.
Description
This parrot averages 14 - 15 inches (35 - 36 cm) in length and, like most Amazons, its plumage is mostly green; the eyes are marked by orange irises. There are rainbow markings in many areas. Yellow markings can be seen at the crown, lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head), and thighs, and can occasionally be seen in the areas around the eyes. Yellow on forehead; far less yellow than the Double Yellow-head parrot. Red markings appear at the bend of the wing, while a yellowish green color marks the edges. The wings are spectacular, as the primaries exhibit a lovely violet-blue, with secondaries also possessing this striking violet-blue at the tips and outer webs. The tail has a yellowish green base with red tail feathers. They have a light bone beak and light gray feet. The cheeks and ear coverts (feathers covering the ears) are green.
Sexing: Males and females look alike. DNA sexing is recommended for breeder birds.
Immature Yellow Crowns exhibit the same colors as the mature adults, but they are typically more muted, and the yellow is not as developed, except at the lores and crown.
Personality / Pet Potential:
The Yellow-crowned Amazon parrots are known for their playful antics and excellen talking abilities. This being said, talking ability will vary between birds and even though many of them are excellent talkers, some may never learn to talk. They are handsome and generally affectionate. Their friendly and playful nature make them excellent pets.
They are easily tamed and trained and are known to be very active - which makes them more suitable to an environment that allows them to fly and move around, such as an aviary or flight. Provided they are given sufficient daily exercise, they can adjust to indoor cages and indoor living as well.
They are known for their loud voices, which is said to be the loudest of all Amazon Parrots. People who are not tolerant to noise, will not do well with this parrot.
Like most larger parrots they can also be very destructive and their need to "customize their environment" needs to be redirected by providing them plenty of chewing toys and branches.
Their longevity should also be a consideration. These parrots can live to the old, ripe age of 60 to 80 years
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 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:
- 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 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.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
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
- BREEDERS:
- NY City: Birds New York - a private aviary located in New York City.
- Recommended Breeders
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- BREEDERS:
- 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 ochrocephala ochrocephala ... English: Yellow-crowned Amazon, Yellow-fronted Amazon ... Dutch: Geelvoorhoofdamazone, Surinaamse Amazone ... German: Gelbscheitelamazone ... French: Amazone à front jaune, Perroquet à front jaune
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: oratrix, tresmariae, auropalliata, parvipes, belizensis, panamensis, nattereri, xantholaema, ochrocephala
Sub-species:
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala belizensis aka Amazona belizensis ... English: Belize Yellow-headed Amazon ... Dutch: Beliza Amazone ... German: Gelbkopfamazone ... French: Amazone de Belizensis
CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: British Honduras
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 8 - click on link to view photo.
Greater Yellow-headed Amazons:
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala magna ... English: Greater Yellow-headed Amazon ... Dutch: Grote Geelkopamazone ... German: Großer Gelbkopfamazone ... French: Amazone de Magna
Distribution: Carribean Side of Mexico
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 10 - click on link to view photo.)
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala xantholaema ... English: Marajo Yellow-headed Amazon ... Dutch: Marajo Amazone ... German: Marajo Amazone ... French: Amazone de Marajo
Distribution: Marajo Island Para (Mouth of Amazon River), Northern Brazil
Average Length: 35 cm / 14 in
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala nattereri aka Amazona nattereri ... English: Natterer's Amazon ... Dutch: Natterer's Amazone ... German: Nattereramazone, Grüne Amazone ... French: Amazone de Natterer
Average Length: 35 cm / 14 in
Distribution: Southern Colombia, Ecuador, Eastern Peru, Northern Bolivia, Brazil
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
Species: Scientific: Amazona ochrocephala tresmariae ... English: Tres-Marias Amazon ... Dutch: Tres Marias Amazone ... German: Tres Marias Amazone ... French: Amazone de Tres Marias
Distribution: Tres Marias Islands (Islands off the west coast of Mexico)
Average Length: 38 cm / 15.2 in
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots Please scroll down to no. 11 - click on link to view photo.) ... Aves International.
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