Yellow Naped Amazon Parrots

The yellow naped Amazon parrot is a beautiful, extremely intelligent, gregarious bird. If you're looking for information on this incredible parrot because you're considering getting one as a pet, you've come to the right place.

I've been the proud owner, or I guess close friend would be more applicable, to Pablo, my yellow naped Amazon for almost 28 years exactly now (as of this writing). Although there are a few (very few) things that owning a yellow naped Amazon that could possibly be a problem for some, I can't imagine having a better pet.

One thing that I can't stress enough...GET A DOMESTIC BRED BIRD!! I should say here that I didn't get a bird from a breeder, but I did get a very young bird that I had to hand feed for a while. If I had it to do over though, I would definitely get a domestic bred bird. Although Pablo is a very good bird (to me), he is pretty much a one person bird. Had he been a bird from a breeder, I seriously doubt that he would be so reluctant to engage other people. When my mother had to care for him while I was out of town for a few days, he bit her while she was giving him fresh water. It wasn't just a nip either.

That brings me to yet another point. Yellow naped Amazon parrots, and probably most amazons can sometimes be fairly high strung. Some are prone to biting or nipping a little too hard, and can even be a little unpredictable at times. A hand-reared bird, and especially a bird that is around more than just one person exclusively, will be so much better acclimated to living in peace and harmony with the whole family. I also had a wild-caught African grey, although he was very tame with me, he wasn't as friendly with strangers. He wasn't prone to biting at all though. When he was on my hands he would very gently feel my fingers with his beak and tongue.

Of course a domestic bred, hand reared parrot will be significantly higher priced, but the money will be very well spent. If you have to spend $1,500 or whatever for a domestic bred pet, versus maybe half that for a wild caught adult, or even a younger bird, you will be so glad that you spent the extra money.

One thing that some people don't like about yellow naped Amazon parrots is the fact that they can be somewhat noisy. There is some truth to that, but Pablo has never been so noisy that it was ever a real problem for me. Of course at night you'll want to cover the cage to keep drafts out, and the darkness will keep them totally silent. Also, as they learn more and more phrases, there seems to be much less objectionable noise and more talking and whistling, which I always liked just fine.

Of course yellow naped Amazon parrots, like all other talking birds, don't actually carry on intelligent conversations, although they do learn to sometimes say just the right things at the right time...and often times exactly the wrong things at the wrong time too!! :) One such example comes to mind.

I live in the country, and from time to time (not anymore now though) Jehovah's Witnesses would come to the house on Sunday mornings to spread their word. Well, I never intentionally taught Pablo any foul (fowl ?) language, but there were times when others thought it would be funny to try and get him to say certain phrases. I knew it could never be a good thing - it wasn't.

Anyway, that Sunday morning a man and lady came to the door, and I listened respectfully as I always did. I guess Pablo had heard enough though because he came out with a couple of phrases that would have embarrassed any sailor. I've never really tried to actually disappear before that day, but I sure gave it everything I had then. No one said anything for several seconds, and then finally the man said something to the effect that "maybe we should get going." They said their "thank yous," as did I, and I really learned that day how intelligent that these birds really are, because Pablo laughed hysterically after they left, like he knew exactly what he had just done.

Another point to mention here is - make sure that you will have the time for your new friend. These birds are very active and value interaction very much. Please don't even think about getting a yellow naped Amazon if there's even a chance that he'll be spending all of his time in a closed cage. That is just abusive, and just leaving the cage door open so that he can hang out on top of the cage isn't much better, although some. They really thrive on personal interaction with their human though.

You'll also want a nice roomy cage, preferable with a good quality playpen on top, and enough (safe) toys to keep your pet occupied for when you have to be away. Also, just because a bird is very tame and friendly, it doesn't mean that he is good to be left unattended to roam the house when you're not home. I lost two beautiful, really fantastic birds, my African grey and my beautiful Senegal parrot due to household accidents many years ago. My grey (Barney) had been getting down and chewing on a baseboard in an old farmhouse that I had just moved into. By the time I noticed it, and he started to get sick, he had ingested enough of the lead-based paint to kill him. I suggested to the vet, which I later found out was not really a good avian vet, that it was lead poisoning, he seemed to disregard it. I had an autopsy done - it was lead poisoning.

My Senegal (Ralph), had never wandered far from his cage, even though he was always out. He would fly over to me when I case in the room though. I got home one night and couldn't find him for anything. It took literally days. I finally found his body in the furnace. I suspect something had startled him during the night and he jumped from his cage. He probably saw the light from the furnace and headed towards it. I imagine he climbed in while it was off and it was too late for him when it turned back on. I've still never totally gotten over those two accidents, but I did learn some valuable lessons. Unfortunately they were horrible lessons to learn.

There are so many ways for a bird to get into trouble around a house, many  that new bird owners would never think of. I know there have been countless smaller birds drown in a glass with whatever liquid sitting out. The bird lands on the side and bends over to get a drink, falls in and can't get out. A horrible way to find your pet.

Chewing electric cords, getting into various chemicals/cleaners, getting shut in a closing door, being stepped on - there are more ways than I could possibly even think of here. The bottom line is - just always know where your bird can and can't go, and never assume that he'll just be okay.

I'll also be including another page on yellow naped Amazon nutrition. Although many larger parrots will do well on pretty much the same general diet. Remember, these birds can actually outlive you and I, but a big part of their length and quality of life, is totally up to you and the diet (and exercise) that is provided for them. One thing that I heard many years ago is - if it's good for humans, it's probably good for your bird, and if it's not good for you, it's probably not good for your bird. Of course there are probably many exceptions but that's maybe a fairly good general estimation. Of course you're diet probably won't have as much seeds and nuts. :)

As far as housing your yellow naped Amazon - I've had many cages in the nearly three decades that I've owned birds, ranging from cheap junk to very good. One thing I can say is this - just like when buying your bird is no time to get cheap, neither is it wise to buy a cage just because it's priced low. Knowing what I know now, I would probably never buy anything other than one of the stainless steel bird cages. Not only are they more attractive, but they last many, many times longer.

The powder coated cages are nice looking, and they do last fairly well, but once they start chipping, the rust comes and then they get into bad shape quickly. I guess you could sand-blast them and have them painted, but I don't really see how that could be very cost effective. I would spend the money up front and get one of the beautiful stainless steel bird cages and have the best right from the start. It will save you money in the long run too.