Double Yellow Head Amazons

Double Yellow Head Amazons parrots

Double Yellow Head Amazons parrots are among the best-talking birds kept as pets. They have brilliant coloring’s, and each bird has distinct feather patterns to go along with its extroverted personalities. Known as comedians and feathered show-offs, they are an entertaining bird. They really enjoy spending time with their human flock, which is why they make excellent pets. This bird is a larger parrot, so you will need to provide it with lots of room and your dedicated time. Double Yellow Headed Amazon.

Origin and History
Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus was the first to record the Double Yellow Head Amazons in zoological records in 1758. The species has a broad habitat range. Wild populations can be found in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, extending south to Buenos Aires.

Temperament
Active and comical, blue-fronted Amazons are natural performers. They love to be around their owners and will ham it up for extra attention. When well-socialized, these parrots will enjoy the company of the entire family, though they tend to choose a favorite.

While generally non-aggressive and friendly with other birds, some individuals will try to protect their keepers when they perceive danger. This species may “dive-bomb” a perceived threat by swooping down on it. During breeding or molting periods, males may become territorial.

Overall, owners tend to describe this species as very social, independent, and easy-going. This bird tends to be calmer than other Amazons and can keep themselves occupied for quite some time. That doesn’t mean it requires less attention. The blue-fronted Amazon wants to be part of the action; it will loudly let you know when it feels left out. Prolific talkers and singers, vocalize often and can be very loud when they want to be.

Speech and Vocalizations
While Double Yellow Head Amazons are excellent talkers, they are even better screamers. You can expect a morning wake up call and one again at sunset. This 10-minute, twice-daily call is a carryover from their instinct to mark the time of day for its flockmates. For people who live in close quarters like apartment buildings, these birds can be a little too loud and annoy your neighbors.

Double Yellow Head Amazon Colors and Markings
The primary color of this parrot is a beautiful lime yellow patch. Their “Double Yellow Head” description comes from a blotch of yellow or lemon found just above the head. Though this is the species’ trademark, breeding has created a wide range of markings on the birds’ heads. These markings make it easier to distinguish an individual parrot from the flock.

Some birds have no blue on the head while others have a head that is almost entirely turquoise. Yellow typically surrounds the blue and stretches over and under the head before giving way to the body’s bright green feathers. You might even find birds with white patches.

Generally, the Double Yellow Head Amazons have touches of bright red on the shoulders and flight feathers, which may also have a violet tint when in flight. This also varies by individual, and some have only green shoulders, particularly wild parrots found in northwestern Argentina.

In captivity, there are a few color mutations such as cinnamon blue-fronted Amazons, which have brownish-yellow body feathers rather than green. The lutino variation typically has white feathers where you would generally expect yellow. There is also a blue mutation that has produced an entire green bird with patches of yellow.

Typically, the beaks are black, and the feet are grey. It’s a monomorphic species, so the males and females look alike. The only way to know the sex of your bird is through DNA or surgical sexing.

Caring for a Double Yellow Head Amazons Amazon
These birds are highly intelligent and social, and they need regular human interaction. Don’t adopt an Amazon parrot if you don’t have plenty of time to spend with it.

The more activities around the house you can include your parrot in, the happier it will be. Whether you’re watching TV, cleaning up, or eating dinner, the blue-fronted will want to be part of the action. A portable play stand that you can move from room to room makes a good exercise area. Your bird will amuse you with his acrobatic antics.

The minimum recommended cage size for an active bird like a blue-fronted Amazon is a 3-foot cube, though larger is better. If you can’t get a sizeable cage, try to compensate by allowing it extra out-of-cage time each day.

Common Health Problems
Some bacterial infections can cause respiratory problems for Amazons, as well as a fatal fungal disease (aspergillosis) and nutritional deficiencies.

The main bacteria that are problematic for Amazons include E. coli, Citrobacter, Staph, and Strep. The bacteria can spread through water, seeds, old food, humid areas, wet cages, or dusty spots.

Blue-fronted Amazons are prone to obesity and hypothyroidism. An active lifestyle with a regular exercise regimen can help reduce the risk of getting those conditions. Double Yellow Headed Amazon

Diet and Nutrition
In the wild, blue-fronted Amazons forage on fruits and berries, leaf buds, and blossoms, as well as seeds and nuts. It’s also believed that they eat some proteins. Like all parrots, blue-fronted Amazons need a varied diet that mimics their natural foods.

A healthy diet should consist of high-quality pellets, a quality seed mix, and daily servings of fresh, bird-safe fruits and vegetables.