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Contact us on: (03) 9809 1212 |
- Scientific Name: Amazona aestiva aestiva, Amazona aestiva xanthopteryx (Click on photo to enlarge)
- Common Name/s: BLUE FRONTED AMAZON.
- Sub Species in country / area of origin: 2 .. A. a. aestiva, A. a. xanthopteryx.
- Origin / Distribution: South-eastern South America - Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina.
- Habitat In Wild: Sub-tropical rainforest, forest, palm groves, savannah and farmland.
- Status In Wild: Common in most parts of its range but declining in some areas. Decline of these birds is in part due to the trapping of these birds for the pet and bird markets.
- Status In (Australian) Captivity: Rare
- Age To Sexual Maturity: 2 or 3 years.
- Adult plumage: attained at about ? months
- Best breeding years (estimate): 4th year onwards.
- Lifespan (estimate): Can live up to 50 years. One of the longest lived parrots.
- Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic. Surgical or DNA sexing may be required.
- Mutations: No
- Availability: Specialist breeders and some specialist bird dealers.
- Temperament: Kept as pets in Europe for hundreds of years. They are noisy excitable birds especially in the early morning and evenings.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $8000
- Description Of Adults: Colour pattern on their head varies between birds thus allowing individuals to be identified.
- Length: Approx. 360 - 380 mm (or approx 15 inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo above - top right of page. (Click on photo to enlarge).
- Weight: Approx. ? gms (or approx. ? ozs)
- Photo courtesy of Burwood Pets and Birds (03) 9809 1212.
Aviary Notes:
Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.
Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to " Government Laws " web page.
Housing Requirements: Refer to " Amazon Parrots " web page for general details on the housing of Amazon Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.
The Blue fronted Amazon Parrot prefers a large aviary of at least 3 metres and up to 5 metres long. A suspended cage should be 3000 mm long, about 1200 mm high and 1200 mm wide (10 x 4 x 4 ft).
To help relieve boredom and as a way of
providing exercise, suitable bird toys can be placed in the aviary.
Most bird toys are designed to be chewed up and will require replacing
after the birds have reduced them to splinters. Aviary breeding
birds will enjoy playing with and destroying bird toys just as much as
pet birds.
Suitable non-toxic leafy branches can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up.
This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds
some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These
natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced
regularly.
Amazons love to bathe.
Diet / Feeding: Refer to " Amazon Parrots " web page for general details on the feeding of Amazon Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.
In the wild the Blue fronted Amazon Parrot's natural diet includes seeds, fruits, nuts as well as flower and leaf buds and also berries. Some insects and/or insect larvae may be consumed.
Aviary diet to include fruits and vegetables
plus a quality seed mix. As with most other parrots, corn-on-the-cob and apple
is a favourite.
Seeding grasses can be offered.
Commercial Parrot pellets may make up part of a balanced diet.
Nesting: A basic overview only. Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences. Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared. If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice. Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season. Try and keep that one for their exclusive use. Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed. If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.
- Nesting months:
- Log / Nest-box:
- Length / depth 800 mm (or approx. 32 inches)
- Log internal diameter approx. 300 mm. (or approx. 12 inches)
- Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 250 - 300 mm square (or approx. 10 - 12 inches square)
- Diameter of entrance hole approx. 80 mm (or approx. 3 - 3.5 inches)
- Inspection hole (square or round) 100 mm (or approx 4 inches)
- A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
- Location and height of log / nest-box = in a sheltered part of the aviary and at about 1.5 - 1.8 metres height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat problems in the hotter months.
- Angle of log or nest box = Usually vertical or near vertical. Can be on an angle of up to 45 degrees.
- Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
- Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.
Cock bird can be very aggressive at
breeding time.
More details on
parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of
parrot nestbox/log photos
can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests"
and "parrot nestbox photos"
web pages. Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests"
and "parrot nestbox photos" in
the navigation bars.
Breeding: Egg Colour White. Clutch/s per year 1, occasionally 2. Eggs per nest 3 - 5. Incubation approx 27 days. Fledge approx 8 - 9 weeks. Independent approx. another 2 or 3 weeks.
The Blue fronted Amazon Parrot can become aggressive and territorial at breeding season and may attack the keeper. Nest boxes are best positioned so the nest inspection can be carried out from outside the aviary. Nest inspection is best done when the adult birds are out of the nest.
Many breeders remove the eggs a few days prior to hatching. The eggs are artificially incubated, hatched and the young hand reared. The adult pair is allowed to rear all or part of one clutch per season. This can maximize the number of young reared and increase the number of clutches the hen may lay. Hand reared birds can be sold as pets or companion birds.
Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site. It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.
Health Issues: Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.
- Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site. Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
- Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace. Keep updating your knowledge and skills.
General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.
Specific References:
-
Australian Aviculture
- Australian Birdkeeper