Types of Amazon Parrots

People keep Amazon parrots as pets because of their highly social nature and exceptional talking ability. They range from 10 to 16 inches in length, depending on the species, and are mostly bright green in color. Different species have different coloring on the head and wings and have slightly different personalities.

  1. Double Yellow-Headed Amazon

    • The double yellow-headed (or yellow-headed) Amazon is one of the most common and easily recognized Amazon parrot species. The crown of the head and nape of the neck are yellow, giving the parrot its name. This parrot is known for having a good appetite, stocky build and being a good talker. They're also one of the more aggressive species of Amazons but make nice companions with regular handling and training.

    Yellow-Naped Amazon

    • The yellow-naped Amazon is another one of the most common Amazon parrot species. They usually have a small yellow band across the crown of the head and one across the nape of the neck. Some parrots will develop more yellow feathers than others, especially as they mature, but some might have no yellow feathers at all. They're similar to the double yellow-headed Amazon in build, temperament and talking ability.

    Red-Lored Amazon

    • Red-lored (or yellow-cheeked) Amazons are slightly less common than double yellow-headed and yellow-naped Amazons. This species is also slightly smaller and distinguished by the small red band across the crown of the head and yellow cheeks. Red-lored Amazons are favored as companions because they're less aggressive than some other species of Amazons, although they're not considered to be the best talkers.

    Other Amazons

    • Blue-fronted, red-crowned, lilac-crowned, mealy, white-fronted, Panama and yellow-crowned Amazons are usually available from breeders. Panama and yellow-crowned Amazons are often confused with double yellow-headed and yellow-naped Amazons due to their coloring. Panama Amazons are often smaller and have a darker shade of green and sport a yellow patch on the crown of the head. Yellow-crowned Amazons are sometimes called single yellow-headed Amazons; they have more yellow coloring than Panama Amazons, but less than those of double yellow-headed Amazons.