Venezuelan Amazon – species features, content rules and other aspects + photos, videos and reviews

The history of the species, the living conditions of birds in nature

The Venezuelan Amazon (Amazona amazonica) is a bird of the parrot family. Travelers brought the Venezuelan Amazon to Europe in the 32th century. Poultry meat was to become a delicacy. However, civilized Europeans saw parrots as pets. After that, birds of this species began to gain popularity among lovers of exotic fauna. Currently, there are XNUMX subspecies of Amazons.

The Venezuelan Amazon has a bright, multi-colored color (the predominant color is green)

In the wild, the Venezuelan Amazon does not live in Russia. This parrot can be found in warm countries (Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc.). In these parts there are places for a comfortable stay of birds (mangrove jungle, wetlands, etc.). Mangroves stretch upwards, and parrots populate a height convenient for them (up to 800 meters above sea level). In the tropics, the Amazon is considered a pest and is persecuted by farmers. They also hunt parrots for their meat. In addition, the bird has to hide from predators. Therefore, nature endowed the Amazons with an appearance that makes it easy to hide in the foliage.

Amazons make their nests on branches or in hollows of tall trees. When the nesting season comes, the male flies close to the nest. And the rest of the time, parrots keep in small flocks. In large flocks (with a population of 100 or more individuals), birds gather during meals and for the night. Numerous flocks can be placed on the branches of a large tree, feeding on its fruits. At the same time, it is difficult to detect birds, because due to their color they merge with the foliage.

Description of the Venezuelan Amazon

The Venezuelan Amazon is not a small bird. Body length is usually 30-40 centimeters. Visually increases it and the tail, the length of which is another 9 centimeters. However, such a bird weighs a little (up to 350 grams).

Outwardly, the parrot resembles a blue-fronted Amazon. The Venezuelan (Venezuelan Amazon) is a beautiful green color, and on the head (forehead and cheeks) there are yellow feathers. Blue feathers make the parrot even brighter. Such blotches occur on the forehead, not all representatives of this species have them. Orange-red blotches also make this bird colorful. These are found in the form of stripes on flight feathers. For this bird is sometimes called the orange-winged amazon (orange-winged amazons). There is practically no plumage around the eyes. This naked zone has a gray-blue hue. The eyes themselves are orange.

The Amazon has a rounded, warm brown beak. Moreover, the tip of the beak is darker (almost black). The upper beak of the parrot is brown, which distinguishes it from other subspecies (the blue-fronted Amazon has a black upper beak).

The head of the Amazon is the brightest part of the parrot’s body (it has a lot of yellow and blue blotches on it)

The gender difference is not significant. It is almost impossible to visually distinguish females from males (the most common way to determine the sex of a bird is to do DNA analysis).

However, more experienced parrot owners have learned to distinguish between “boys” and “girls” by size. The adult male is larger than the female (about 20%). Males have a broader and rounder head. Females have a thinner neck and an elongated head. In females, the femoral part of the body is wider. The legs are shorter and farther apart than those of the male.

Characteristics of character

The Venezuelan Amazon is a common pet. His character is balanced and a little capricious, but friendly. These parrots are not very trainable. However, some individuals can remember more than 50 words. The life expectancy of Amazon parrots is almost the same as that of a person (up to 70 years). The Venezuelan easily contacts children. Can sing loudly in the mornings and evenings. Some confuse the singing of a parrot with aggressive cries, because his voice is loud, and he makes croaking sounds. Best of all perceives female and children’s voices, as they are higher, and the intonation is brighter.

Many inexperienced bird owners begin “training” almost from the first day. The amazon parrot won’t talk so soon. First you need to let him get comfortable, and only then study words with him. To develop his speech, you need to practice 10-15 minutes a day. You need to speak affectionately, with intonation, but clearly and loudly. A companion bird can learn to imitate different voices and sounds, which it gladly demonstrates to all family members.

The main character trait of the Amazon is love of love. However, he only feels warm feelings for the owner. He is not afraid of strangers, but he can be jealous of his guardian. Often, with guests, the parrot begins to make loud noises and attract attention to itself, but this is not aggression. So Amazon requires care and attention.

The Venezuelan Amazon becomes attached to its owner

Leaving a parrot alone is undesirable. Amazon can easily live without a couple, but the bird can feel sad from the long absence of the owner in the house. Therefore, you can not leave the cage covered (sitting in a cage, a parrot can look out the window or at other pets).

By the way, Venezuelans can get along with cats and dogs, if the attention of a person is not directed only to them. Some, leaving the house, leave the TV on so that the bird does not get bored.

For faster development in a new environment, you need to provide competent care, proper nutrition and a comfortable cage with equipment.

Video: Venezuelan Diego

Rules for maintenance and care

A cage for such a bird is required. Amazon is very active, so it will “play” with your interior. It can tear furniture, wires, curtains, etc. If the bird has a hormonal surge, then everything will be even more colorful. During this period, the pet’s aggression may be aimed at harming itself. He will pluck his feathers and inflict pain.

I advise you to put the cage with the parrot in a safe place, because, as I said, the beak is very strong. Therefore, Amazon can easily deal with curtains, books, furniture and other decorative elements. Surprisingly, the Venezuelan handsome man loves to play with different children’s toys. And most of all he likes the children’s pyramid.

Experienced Venezuelan Amazon Owner

Selection and equipment of the cage

It is not enough just to choose a cage that is suitable in size and put it in a place convenient for you:

1. The “house” of the parrot must be at a certain height (human eye level). If the cage is installed in a free place (for example, the corner of a room), then a table or stand must be provided under it so that the desired height is maintained.
2. Precautions must be observed (next to electrical appliances, drafts and other dangerous places, the cage should not be placed).
3. When a new pet dwelling is placed in the owner’s bedroom, then a special curtain must be provided, because the bird must be sheltered from the light if the owner goes to bed late (the parrot should sleep 9-10 hours).

The cage should be large enough for the parrot to fully spread its wings.

The cage must contain items necessary for the normal life of the pet:

• perches;
• feeders;
• drinker;
• a rock;
• toys;
• fruit holder (preferably);
• fillers and bedding (at the choice of the owner).

For the Venezuelan Amazon, fairly large cages are bought. They come with feeders and perches. But this is not enough: there should be several perches in the cage. They should be of different diameters and lengths, because the parrot will not want to sit on only one, he will need to move around. There should also be two feeders. For example, one for dry food and one for wet food. Feeders should not be placed under the perch itself, but to the side. Otherwise, various debris from the paws of the bird will fall into the container. One drinker is enough. It can be an autodrinker (by the way, it is more convenient because less garbage gets into it).

The cage should contain a special stone with minerals. It can be bought at a pet store. Usually mineral stone is attached to a perch or between two poles. The bird will gnaw this stone, pinching pieces of the mineral from it (the pet will get more vitamins). Some parrots do not like such stones, so you can buy a special crumb for them, which is added to the usual dry food.

The Amazon must have toys in the cage, but there should not be many of them. If your bird is offered too many items, he will quickly lose interest in them and will be uncomfortable in the cage (not enough space). The ideal option is when the toy is alone, but interesting. The item should help develop the intelligence of the bird, it can be, for example, a special mobile with several components. The parrot can move these components, pull or pinch, look at or simply swing on them. As it wears out, such an item needs to be replaced, offering the pet another interesting toy.

Venezuelan Amazon will be happy with an interesting toy

In the home of a parrot, you need to periodically clean it. Some install a special pallet, and sometimes it is sold with the cage. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the cage and the pallet (it can be covered with newspaper). The bird’s home should always be clean. Amazons litter a lot, and if you do not clean up in time, this can affect the health of the pet (bacteria breeds in the dirt).

It is also important to remember the size of the “home” of the parrot. If the apartment is large, you can install a large high cage (up to 90–90–100 centimeters, where 100 is the height). But some appreciate compactness (48–50–60 centimeters). But the parrot will sometimes need to walk and frolic, and in a small cage this is impossible. In such cases, you can install an aviary.

In an apartment, the aviary should not be too small (for example, 150-180-180 centimeters). If the aviary is installed in the yard, then its size can be made a little larger (as far as possible). The main requirement for an aviary is that it must have shelter. The bars of the gratings must be chrome-plated or covered with hard enamel so that the bird does not tear off the coating.

Video: Venezuelan Amazon Kiryusha plays with a rattle

The temperature of keeping a bird, bathing a parrot

The Venezuelan talker loves warmth and comfort. Therefore, in the room where the cage is located, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 23–25 ° C. This parrot loves to swim. However, constant water procedures can cause trouble for the owners, so bathing can be partially replaced by splashing. You can use a spray bottle for this.

Video: Venezuelan Amazon Benjamin bathes

If the owners of the Amazon want, then you can bathe the parrot as much as you like. You can do this even just under the tap, running water under gentle pressure. Water should be at room temperature. Some put a small basin and put a bird in it so that it flounders itself. And in the cage you can install a special bath for bathing. The parrot will take water procedures when he needs it. Important: You do not need to wipe the Amazon after bathing. A pet may not like the towel, because he himself loves to fluff, comb and smooth his feathers.

Video: Venezuelan Amazon Richard stands in the shower

Food

The Venezuelan Amazon in the wild feeds on palm fruits and seeds (fruits, cocoa, etc.). This is a very fortified food, so healthy and varied food is also needed at home:

• grain mixtures;
• germinated feed;
• soaked mixtures;
• vegetables and fruits;
• branches;
• porridge, etc.

If there is no desire or opportunity to buy special feeds, you can feed the bird with simple but vitamin-rich foods:

• grain crops: oats, wheat, barley, millet;
• vegetables (raw): carrots, beans, corn, peas, zucchini, broccoli;
• fruits and berries: grapes, pears, apples, bananas, currants;

The Venezuelan Amazon can be fed, including fruits

• walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts;
• grated cheese, cottage cheese;
• hard-boiled and finely chopped eggs

Under no circumstances should an Amazon be allowed into the kitchen. The parrot will repeat after the owner and eat his food. Amazons are vegetarians, and animal protein is dangerous for them. In addition, the parrot should not be given fatty foods (sausage, mayonnaise, canned food, etc.). And there is a lot of salt in ordinary human food, it is also harmful to birds.

Usually Amazons and other large parrots like pine nuts, first feed through the cage, giving a nut, he must learn to take gently.

Parrot owner (Ekaterinburg)

Hand feeding is essential to bird training. Pet stores even sell special sticks for feeding. The treat is strung on a sharp long stick and pushed through the bars of the cage. As the parrot gets used to such a tool, the other end of the stick can be cut off, gradually shortening. This method of feeding will teach the bird not to be afraid of hands.

It must be remembered that the Amazon must eat up to 50 grams of food. Although representatives of this species are gluttons, they cannot be overfed. So the Amazon can become obese, and this will lead to diseases.

Video: Venezuelan Amazon gnaws on a nut

Reproduction

Sexual maturity in Venezuelans occurs at the age of 4 years. If the owners decide to breed Amazon chicks, then you need to install a nest box in the aviary. The dimensions of the box should be approximately 40-40-80 centimeters.

In the natural wild, Amazon parrots lay up to 5 eggs. Holes in the trunk of trees become a place for incubation. The female incubates the eggs for 21 days. Chicks fledge after 60 days.

However, it will not be easy to breed Venezuelans at home. The fact is that Amazons are an expensive pleasure, that is, at the time of acquiring a parrot, you should immediately think about the second bird.

In the wild, Amazons live in flocks. And the second Amazon in the cage will be not only a neighbor, but, possibly, a partner. In addition, pets will be able to play and communicate, this contributes to the development of intelligence and speech.

The society of one’s own kind will be useful to the Venezuelan Amazon

Usually the female incubates 2 eggs for a month. Hatched chicks are under strong care of the mother up to 2 months. After that, they become completely independent.

It is best to breed parrots in the month of May; in clutch – from 2 to 5 eggs. The incubation period lasts 26 days; the period of feeding the chicks is 8 weeks. During breeding, parrots do not like to be disturbed, they can become irritated, their behavior may change for the worse. The size of the nest box is 26x26x80 cm.

Karpov N.V., parrot owner

Possible diseases of the Venezuelan Amazon and methods of dealing with ailments

Diseases in parrots, as in humans, are first expressed in the form of symptoms:

1. Sudden changes in behavior: an active bird became lethargic, sleeps more, dozes on a perch on its paws, lost appetite, stopped talking.
2. Physical changes: the parrot has lost weight, limps, sneezes, litter has changed, feathers fall out, reddened eyes and other signs.

Of course, only an experienced veterinarian will help diagnose the disease and cure the pet in time. But recently, the work of zooclinics has been more focused on the treatment of cats and dogs. In such hospitals, little is known about parrots: there is only basic knowledge and skills. Therefore, Amazon lovers need to have an idea of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbpet diseases, prepare a special first aid kit and stock up on means for treatment. It is advisable to have in the phone book the numbers of specialists in case of illness of the bird.

If the Amazon’s behavior has changed, then something is bothering him.

The veterinary first aid kit should contain the following items:

• antiseptic wipes (you can buy at a regular pharmacy);
• adhesive plaster;
• tweezers;
• cotton wool or cotton swabs;
• cotton swabs to clean wounds or use as a splint for fractures;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• Activated carbon;
• scissors;
• a towel for possible fixation of a sick parrot;
• elastic bandage;
• saline universal applicator for heating poultry or heating pad;
• tea spoon.

Amazon external damage

The owner himself can help his pet if he finds external damage (the pet has broken its wing, injured its paw, etc.). For scratches and similar wounds, treat the damage with hydrogen peroxide and, if possible, apply a plaster.

If a paw fracture is evident, proceed as for a human fracture (splinting, immobilizing the broken bone). In case of a wing fracture, a splint is not applied. If, when leaving the cage, the parrot tries to spread its wings and this hurts it, you can carefully wrap the bird in a small towel. So she will not be able to spread her wings, but she will be able to walk (it is necessary that the paws are not wrapped).

If your pet has dandruff or the tips of feathers are crumbling, then the air humidity is too low. It should be 80-90%. If such symptoms are detected, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the violations – to humidify the air. In urban apartments, the humidity is greatly reduced during the heating season. Now you can easily buy a humidifier. If this is not possible, 2-3 wet towels hanging next to the cage will do.

If the Venezuelan Amazon suffers from low humidity, you can buy a humidifier or just hang 2-3 wet towels next to the cage

Cold

Quite often, Amazons catch a cold. Cold symptoms, bird:

• sneezes,
• coughs,
• breathing heavily.

If you find these symptoms, your pet needs to be warmed up. If there is more than one parrot in the cage, it must be removed. You don’t need to wrap the pet in a blanket, it’s enough to put the cage next to the heater, but not too close so that the parrot can choose the distance that is comfortable for him.

Tropical birds love warmth, and the Russian climate can lead to pneumonia. You can detect this disease by the behavior of the tail. If the tail flicks up when you breathe or cough, you need to contact your veterinarian. In case of inflammation, antibiotics may be needed.

Stress

Self-plucking (trichoptilomania) is considered a serious disease in parrots, it can manifest itself due to stress. In such cases, you need to buy a special remedy – Trihoptilin.

Such parrots can immediately begin to give the drug Trihoptilin. Also, of course, an examination by a doctor is necessary so that he can determine the concomitant diseases of the bird.

Veterinarian, ornithologist, expert on bird diseases and CITES, Ph.D. Romanov V.V.

If you can’t help your pet on your own, you should contact your veterinarian. Especially if you need special procedures that can only be performed by a specialist:

• biochemical analyzes;
• bacteriological tests;
• X-ray.

Parrots often have diarrhea. This is a consequence of changes in diet or poisoning. Also, the Amazon can catch a bacterial infection (for example, if he was treated to “stale” sausage). In addition, the parrot may have parasites. The treatment in these cases is different, so it is important to correctly diagnose the disease.

The Venezuelan Amazon is a kind bird. He loves the attention and caring attitude of the owners. Aggression can manifest itself in cases where the parrot senses danger. For newcomers to the apartment, the manifestation of rage is a way of self-defense and becoming oneself in the family hierarchy. If the parrot has been living with you for a long time, but suddenly got angry (shouts, attacks, etc.), then something scared him. Perhaps a stranger came and made a sharp and “terrible” gesture. And also other domestic animals (cats, dogs) cause fear and reaction to it in parrots.

The Venezuelan Amazon is a kind, playful and very bright parrot. Amazons are unpretentious in care and eat little. They like to play with different objects, contact with children. They live long, up to 70 years. Birds of this breed are happy to breed not only ornithologists, but simply lovers of exotic pets.