My Amazon has become rather withdrawn and is far less friendly than before.  He is now three years old.  What have I done wrong?

Probably nothing.  The temperment of cocks in particular can change dramatically as they mature and come into breeding condition.  Hopefully before long, this phase will pass.

WHY DOESN'T MY AMAZON LOVE ME ANYMORE? HE NEVER BIT ME BEFORE AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN TOUCH HIM!
A fault of the Amazon parrot is that he loves his people too much. His biting does not mean he does not love you anymore. He loves you so much he has chosen you for his mate. He becomes frustrated that he cannot drive you to the nest and the two of you are not setting up housekeeping. He will bite you to drive you away from a potential suitor (your human mate, child, acquaintance or other pet). The Amazon is trying to drive you to the safety of his nest. He may bite other people to communicate that you already have a partner . . . him. He may become territorial when you hold him and bite any one that intrudes his space. Although these bites can be extremely painful, they are in fact, love bites.

Limits must be set while he is still young. The male Amazon or aggressive female, does not belong on your shoulder. Always hold a male Amazon on your wrist held at waist level. I believe that Amazons should be stick trained as well as hand trained so you can always handle them. Do not engage in rough play with him as that will bring out his aggression. Discourage nibbling on your body, arms or hands. A jiggle of your wrist and a firm "No" is all that you need for young Amazons. You must be consistent for this to work.

MY AMAZON IS MAKING FUNNY SOUNDS. IS HE SICK?
The sexually mature Amazon has a whole group of unusual sounds that he makes. He often makes a squealing sound when he has found a potential nesting spot. Paper bags, boxes, dark corners, drawers, and areas behind sofas and chairs all are appealing and he squeals in delight on finding such a great place to nest. He may make clucking or honking type sounds when he masturbates or has a breeding urge. The Amazon may make a hoarse rasping sound when he feels sexual and frustrated. Remember that anything that triggers his breeding instinct may also trigger his aggression.

I REALLY WANT A TALKING BIRD. WHAT AMAZON IS THE BEST TALKER?
Some groups speak better than others. This does not mean that every bird in that group will talk. Most Double Yellow Headed Amazons, Yellow Nape Amazons, Blue Fronted Amazons, Panama Amazons, and Yellow Crown Amazons will speak with some encouragement. Amazons are very amusing and interesting birds and even those that do not talk make fascinating pets. You must do your part as well. The bird needs to hear your voice. Some birds require hearing the word or phrases many times before they speak. If the bird has not spoken by the time he is a two year old, it will be very difficult, but not impossible, to get him to speak.

MY FRIEND'S COCKATOO LOVES TO CUDDLE AND HAVE HIS BACK TOUCHED. MY AMAZON DOES NOT CUDDLE, DOES HE LIKE ME?
Amazons do love their owners but do not react the same way as many other breeds. They want to be near their people. Most Amazons (especially young ones) have places to go and things to see and do not enjoy cuddling. By nature, Amazons do not like their backs touched. They can learn to enjoy cuddling and having their backs touched, but this is not a natural desire. Now head scratching is another matter. Most Amazons want to have their heads lightly rubbed and some will twist their heads completely around so that you can rub under their chins. Amazons want people to admire and talk to them. They will do fantastic acrobatics and animated talking if they feel ignored or you walk away from them to gain and keep human attention. Others will scream for the same reason.

WHY DOES MY AMAZON SMELL?
Amazons truly love water and bathing. Misting with a spray bottle several times a week will improve the bird's feathers and smell. You can train your Amazons to go into a shower stall and take a shower, with or without their human companion. Amazons have a natural musky odor. Two of my male Napes are about the same age. Caged side by side, they receive the same amount of light, humidity, and the same diet. The one smells like sweet roses while the other smells like dirty gym socks. When excited and during the breeding season, this smell is more apparent.

I HEAR AMAZONS ARE SCREAMERS? HOW LOUD ARE THEY?
Some Amazons, such as a Mealy in good voice, will equal a cockatoo. Most types of Amazons are not that loud and do not have the volume of a cockatoo or macaw or the high pitch of conure. Their call can be annoying like the barking of a dog. My Amazons only scream when I do not get their food to them quickly enough or if I am late covering them for the night. Breeding Amazons are another story. Amazons are very family oriented and nesting is an important part of their life. They will scream at other birds and intruders to let them know they have entered or infringed on their territory. All breeds of birds have individuals that bite and scream. Most of this can be modified, but if screaming and biting are a big problem for you, perhaps another type of pet would best fill your needs.

I WANT TO BREED AMAZONS. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO GET THEM TO BREED?
Some species are rather difficult and are hard to double clutch. Some Blue Fronts for instance, can be very choosy about taking a mate. They may become close friends but may never breed. The ideal situation is to allow them to choose their own mate. For many people, this is impractical and they can only trust to luck that they have chosen a mate that meets their bird's approval. If a bird's mate dies, it may be very hard to replace it.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH AN AMAZON, BUT HE IS 30 YEARS OLD. BECAUSE OF HIS AGE, I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL NOT HAVE MUCH TIME WITH HIM. HOW OLD IS OLD FOR AMAZONS?
Amazons are very hardy birds. Some breeders in England reported keeping them outdoors with very little shelter, even during the winters. I personally knew a Nape that died at 106 years of age that spent most of his life in Alaska. There also was a Blue Fronted Amazon said to be 117 years old. If the bird is healthy, thirty is not too old to consider adding him to your family. Be aware that in those thirty years he may have picked up some undesirable habits or language.

Because of their long life span, you may want to make arrangements for your bird should you die before him. Put down in writing what should be done to the bird. It would also be in the bird's best interest if you had a written list of instructions of how you have cared for him listing such things as favorite foods and brand names of pellets or seeds.

WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DO AMAZONS SUFFER?
The Amazon is generally very healthy. They are, however, prone to upper respiratory problems and liver problems. Amazons have been known to live to 100. They are prone to bacterial infections so their cage and dishes should be kept as clean as possible. They are susceptible to psittacosis. Avian TB, Pacheco's disease, papilloma, and pox claim their share of Amazons as well. Obesity is a real problem with the majority of Amazons. This puts a strain on the respiratory system and liver.

WHAT TYPE OF BIRD WOULD BE A GOOD COMPANION FOR MY AMAZON?
For your male Amazon you will want a bird that looks as different as possible. Two male Amazons can become a handful during the breeding season. They may become friends again after the breeding season. Amazons seem to enjoy the company of other birds. Amazons can share a room with almost any bird, but putting them on the same perch or cage may result in injury.

Rico still don't like to be sprayed with the spray mister. At least not enough that that he/she will spread his wings and enjoy! He doesn't act terrified but doesn't really get into it either.

Some Amazons never learn to like a shower.  Generally if you use cold water instead of warm and work an area so you can get down to the skin, they will get into bathing. Also skip a few days if possible so they really need the shower. (If he is a feather plucker this may not be an option.)

Can I get health and/or life insurance for my bird?
Yes, you can. You may be able to get additional coverage from your company, but usually not. The loss of a bird will not be covered by your homeowner/rental policy, either. However, there is a company called Avi-Care that has a standard policy which provides coverage against theft and death. Premiums begin at 9.5% of the bird's market value. There is also an optional veterinary coverage at additional cost. For further information call or write to:

Complete Equity Markets, Inc.
Avi-Care Division
1098 South Milwaukee Avenue
Wheeling, IL, 60090-6398
1-800-323-6234
(708) 541-0900
(708) 541-0755 FAX

Theft and Death Benefits:

"With AviCare, you can recover the market value of your bird if you lose your bird due to theft or death."

Veterinary Fee Coverage:

AviCare provides your bird with up to $2,000 per incident in veterinary expenses*.
*Does not include coverage for existing diseases or routine preventative treatment.

 

How do I tell if my bird is sick?
The best indicator would be the bird's droppings. Bright green or watery droppings are not a good sign. Also a sick bird will sit huddled and puffed up, with its eyes closed. The bird's song may change or stop and it may stop talking. Wheezing or sneezing or a nasal discharge is bad news. The bird might "pump" its tail. It may not eat or it may consume vast amounts of water. Observe your bird every day, that way when something occurs out of the ordinary, you'll notice. Also, birds often don't manifest signs of sickness until they're really in trouble. Watch for warning signs, and act on them--get that bird to a vet. Better safe than sorry.

All information here, has been copied from others off of the internet.