How to Breed the Red-Lored Amazon Parrot

Set up a cage for your parrots that is at least 59 inches tall, 23 inches wide and 39 inches long. If possible, use a cage that is 6 to 12 feet long, 3 to 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. Hang the cage as far from the ground as possible, above eye level.

Provide a wooden nestbox that is 2 to 3 feet tall, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long, with a 4-inch entry hole located high on the box and an inspection hole on the back. Layer the bottom with several inches of pine shavings. Hang it as high as possible in the cage.

Purchase a breeding pair. Be completely sure you can trust the seller if you purchase a "proven pair," otherwise you may end up purchasing birds that have slowed in production or developed bad habits, such as breaking eggs or killing chicks. Obtain as much information and history on the birds as possible. Purchase one male and one female.

Have your new Red-Lored Amazon parrots screened by an avian veterinarian to rule out bacterial infections, vitamin A deficiency, psittacosis and other ailments.

House the male and female in adjoining cages to avoid aggression. Wait until the birds are calm and not exhibiting aggressive behavior before combining them. Introduce the birds into the intended breeding cage at the same time.

Feed a diet that consists of grains, vegetables and sprouts. Feed dry pellet food, but do not make it the base of the diet. Feed fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Root vegetables can be boiled, cooled and chopped. Root vegetables provide carotene and help avoid a vitamin A deficiency. Grains including red wheat, brown rice and lentils can be boiled for 30 minutes, cooled and fed.

Put a shallow dish of water in the cage to allow the birds to bathe or install a misting system.

Use artificial lighting to simulate seasons. Gradually increase the amount of daylight to change from winter to spring to summer and gradually reduce the amount of daylight to change from summer to fall to winter. Longer daylight periods will trigger breeding.

Give your Red-Lored Amazon parrots time and space to breed. Check the inspection hole on the back of the nestbox periodically to see if the female has laid eggs.

Wait for the female to lay between two and eight eggs. While she is sitting on the eggs, the male will eat for himself and for the female, regurgitating food for his mate. The female will sit on the eggs for 26 to 28 days before they hatch. If you choose to pull the eggs, put them in an incubator at 99 degrees Fahrenheit and hand-turn them five times a day for the first week. After the first week, you may use an automatic turner.