A Double Yellow-Headed Amazon As a Pet

Double yellow-headed Amazons (Amazona oratrix) are mid-sized parrots that originated in the Americas -- specifically in Mexico, South and Central America. These bold and confident birds are much appreciated as household pets, not only for their friendly and bright overall dispositions, but also for their strong talking and copying talents.

  1. Size and Color

    • In keeping any parrot as a pet, size is always an important consideration. Double yellow-headed Amazons occasionally grow as long as 14 inches. They usually weigh around 1 pound. Their physical size works well with spacious cages that are at least 30 inches in height, width and depth. Their feathers are predominantly green, although their faces and heads are a vivid yellow. Their wings have crimson elements. Individuals of both sexes are physically similar.

    Diet

    • Double yellow-headed Amazons, like many fellow parrots, tend to flourish on diets consisting mostly of commercial parrot pellets. Ample fresh vegetables and fruits also are beneficial components to their diets -- think beets, carrots, chard, broccoli, mangoes, peas, grapes, green beans, papayas, spinach, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and bananas. In tiny amounts, fortified seeds are also appropriate, but not as the focus of the diet. Do not feed any forms of sustenance to your double yellow-headed Amazon until you have an avian veterinarian's approval, whether seeds, pellets or produce.

    Living Environment

    • A comfortable living environment is also imperative in keeping your Amazon content and healthy. Their cages require various key elements that can contribute to a happy birdie, including numerous perches, wood blocks, branches, puzzle toys and, of course, all of their water and food dishes. When these Amazons are out of their cages, they require constant close supervision, as households are chock full of potential hazards to them. Play gyms are also vital for the well-being of these birds. They need roughly three to four good hours of physical fitness on a daily basis -- sufficient time to move around and stretch their bodies. Not only is exercise good for their physical beings, it also keeps their minds sharp.

    Attention

    • Double yellow-headed Amazons adore attention from people, and it's imperative for keeping them in a positive state of mind. If an owner doesn't have sufficient time to work on establishing a strong connection with a pet Amazon, the bird may become frustrated and act out in various ways, whether by biting, chewing or screaming and shrieking loudly all day long. They are big talkers and adore "conversing" with and copying their human pals.

    Lifespan

    • A lot of things are necessary for keeping double yellow-headed Amazons going strong, and it doesn't stop at diet, exercise and living environment. Amazons need to visit avian veterinarians at least once a year. If they exhibit any indications of illness, pain or discomfort, however, they must receive veterinary care immediately. These parrots are susceptible to a variety of ailments, including psittacosis, nutritional deficiencies and avian polyomavirus. Always be attentive to any indications that your parrot may be unwell and in need of veterinary help, such as coughing, watery stools, appetite loss, puffy feathers and swelling of the eyes. The average lifespan of a double yellow-headed Amazon parrot is roughly 50 years.

    Bathing

    • It's important to bathe double-yellowed Amazons on a routine basis. Not only does showering them help to keep them clean and fresh, it also keeps both their skin and plumage in glossy and optimal condition.