Yellow Naped Amazon Parrot:
Amazon Auropalliata
Amazona auropalliata, the Yellow Naped Amazon,
Genus Amazona, family Psittacidae, is native to the Pacific coast from southern
Mexico south to northern Costa Rica.
| Plumage is green at the forehead and
crown with a yellow band across the lower nape and hind-neck. The bill
is dark grey fading towards the base of the upper mandible. They
are generally lighter and brighter colored than other Amazons.
The Yellow Naped Amazon grows to a length of
approximately 14-15 inches and weighs 480-550 grams.
In the wild they eat fruits, seeds, nuts,
berries, blossoms, and leaf buds. In captivity they thrive on a
pellet based diet, daily fresh fruits and vegetables, with seeds and
nuts for treats. |
 |
Like most Amazon parrots, the Yellow Naped has a
tendency to become overweight. If kept on a healthy diet of pellets,
fruits and veggies, and not allowed to gorge on nuts and seeds, obesity
shouldn’t be an issue. While they’re generally extremely hardy, they are
susceptible to vitamin-A and calcium deficiencies as well as psittacosis and
pox-virus infections.
The Yellow Crowned Amazon is also susceptible to respiratory infections, which
means quality nutrition is vital to keep them healthy. Average lifespan in
captivity is 60-80 years.
During breeding season, April to May, the female generally lays three eggs. The
eggs incubate for 26-28 days and hatchlings are independent 3 months after
hatching. Amazon parrots form lifelong monogamous pair bonds.
The Yellow Naped Amazon is famous for being an excellent companion bird.
They’re intelligent. They are considered to be good talkers having the
ability to learn several words and mimic household sounds. They’re social.
They’re affectionate.
The Yellow Naped is also an excellent singer and
you will often find them singing. Typical of most Amazons and parrots in
general, the Yellow Naped Amazon is a noisy bird. Behavior problems often
include screaming and can include biting or feather plucking.
The majority of behavior problems can be resolved
by providing an optimal environment and by training and proper socialization.
Aggression, yelling, throwing water and other negative reinforcement techniques
do not work to resolve behavior issues and only serve to further compound the
problem. Positive reinforcement and training are an owner’s best solution.
Behavior problems are generally mild or non-existent which has made the Yellow
Naped Amazon one of the most popular companion birds around the world.
This popularity has led to them being listed on the Endangered Species list.
Deforestation has also contributed to their demise. It is illegal to
import Yellow Naped Amazons.
Yellow Naped Amazons form a strong bond with their families. They’re
social birds and in the wild they live in groups ranging from several pair bonds
to hundreds of pair bonds.
In captivity, the household will become their
flock and Yellow Naped Amazons will demand attention and affection from their
‘flock.’ Fondly called, ‘little humans,’ they love to play with their
families, though their favorite past time may be climbing.
They are also known to be excellent flyers. It is advised to keep windows and
doors closed when they’re roaming the house. They require a significant
amount of time out of their cage each day.
When the owners are not home, the Yellow Naped
can be kept busy and engaged with a variety of toys in their cage. Good
toys include chewing toys, toys to climb on and toys that engage their reasoning
and puzzle solving abilities.
|
