For experienced bird owners and enthusiasts, Amazon parrots are among the most popular pet birds. They are highly intelligent, easy to train, and very outgoing.
Yet, these talkative birds can be demanding and challenging to take care of. They are also not suitable for families that require a quiet place. Amazon parrots are also not cheap.
The cost of an Amazon parrot can be anywhere between $1,000 and $2,500. The actual price mainly depends on how rare the species is and the seller’s location. This does not include the maintenance cost. If your budget is quite tight, you can adopt one which is cheaper than buying from the breeder.
Like most parrot species, Amazon parrots (Amazona) are known for mimicking human voices and are easy to train. These colorful birds are also long-term monogamous and tend to mate with only one partner for life.
But before buying one as a pet, read this comprehensive that will teach you about some species, their cost, and some valuable tips.
Table of Contents
Are Amazon Parrots Good Pets?
Amazon parrots are generally good pets. These gorgeous birds are friendly, intelligent, curious, athletic, and outgoing.
They are also very vocal and playful and enjoy being the center of attention. When properly tamed at a very young age, Amazon parrots can quickly learn to talk and are very likely to show affection to their owners.
However, Amazon parrots have specific care requirements. They are not suitable for everyone and not for beginners and those with small children.
As they reach sexual maturity (usually at 6 years old), male amazons tend to be aggressive and bite if mishandled. This so-called bluffing stage may last up to 2 years.
In addition, Amazon parrots need a lot of time and patience. As extroverts, these birds may repeatedly scream or make a very loud “quack” while demanding attention or when nobody is around. In short, they hate being alone. Despite being charismatic, amazon parrots can also chew and damage electric wires and household appliances.
Amazon Parrots Identification and Cost
There are around 35 Amazon parrot species, and both sexes almost look the same. Each species has a unique color that can easily be distinguished from one another.
Like other bird species, parrots have zygodactyl feet, which means their two toes face forward and the other two faces backward. Below are some Amazon parrots that can be pets:
1. Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot
History
Scientifically known as Amazona aestiva, the blue-fronted Amazon parrot is native to South America. It was first recorded in 1758 by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, also known as the father of modern taxonomy. This popular parrot species is primarily found in northern Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Buenos Aires, and Paraguay forests.
Appearance
Blue-fronted Amazon parrots have lime green feathers all over their bodies, a yellow face and thighs, a blue forehead and crown, and orange or black beaks. Also called turquoise-fronted amazons, these colorful parrots have a blotch of turquoise or blue right above their beaks, hence their name. Some strains may have red wing edges.
Length
Blue-fronted Amazon parrots are medium-sized and can grow up to 37.5 cm (14.8 inches) long.
Weight
Blue-fronted Amazon parrots can weigh between 400 and 550 grams (14 to 19.4 oz.).
Wingspan
Blue-fronted Amazon parrots have a wingspan of 20-30 cm (7.8-11.8 inches).
Temperament
Blue-fronted Amazon parrots are active, playful, and funny. These highly-sociable birds can quickly learn how to mimic human speech and love to be around their owners.
They need regular human interaction, but sometimes, they have a favorite family member. Nonetheless, these excellent talkers are generally friendly and are not aggressive.
Cost
As of January 2023, an adult male blue-fronted Amazon parrot can cost between $1,500 and $2,500.
2. Red-Lored Amazon Parrot
History
Scientifically known as Amazona autumnalis, the red-lored Amazon parrot originates in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Like the blue-fronted Amazon parrot, this parrot species was also recorded by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It has three subspecies – Salvini Amazon, diademed Amazon, and the Ecuadorian red-lored.
Appearance
Red-lored Amazon parrots are known for having green body plumage, yellow or orange cheeks, and gray hooked beaks. Their forehead and lores (the area between their eyes and bill) are bright red, hence their name.
They also have blue-feathered wings, red tails, and powerful greenish-gray legs. Some strains have a golden-orange or brown iris.
Length
Red-lored Amazon parrots can reach up to 28 cm (11 inches).
Weight
Red-lored Amazon parrots can weigh up to 310-480 grams (10.9-16.9 oz).
Wingspan
The wingspan of red-lored Amazon parrots usually ranges from 45 to 51 cm (17.7 to 20.0 inches).
Temperament
Red-lored Amazon parrots are popular pet birds known for being active and intelligent but quite noisy. They can quickly learn to bond with their owners and always love to talk.
As expected, these talkative birds are also very easy to tame. Aside from human speech, they can also mimic different sounds, such as alarms and beeps.
Cost
Red-lored Amazon parrots can cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
3. Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot
History
The yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala) originates in Central America and Mexico. Unfortunately, deforestation and illegal parrot trade have caused them to be declared critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2021. It has two subspecies – Honduras and Roatan yellow-naped Amazon.
Appearance
Yellow-naped Amazon parrots have a yellow patch on their nape (back of the neck), hence the name. They have green plumage, dark gray to black beaks, a white ring surrounding their eyes, and red wing edges.
Their crown is also yellow, while their underparts are yellow and green. Their beaks have a reddish-orange spot on top.
Length
Yellow-naped Amazon parrots have an average length of 31-35 cm (12.2-13.8 inches).
Weight
Yellow-naped Amazon parrots weigh between 402 and 561 grams (14.2 and 19.8 oz).
Wingspan
The wingspan of yellow-naped Amazon parrots typically ranges from 20.3 to 21.6 cm (8.0 to 8.5 inches).
Temperament
Yellow-naped Amazon parrots are considered to be one of the friendliest pet parrots. With proper training and care, they are sociable, affectionate, and playful.
Like all Amazon parrots, they tend to bond strongly with one person. But then, these parrot species can be very demanding if you don’t give them enough attention.
Cost
Yellow-naped Amazon parrots are sold anywhere between $1,550 and $3,000.
4. White-Fronted Amazon Parrot
History
Scientifically known as Amazona albifrons, the white-fronted Amazon parrot is native to Central America and South America. This parrot species was first recorded in 1788 by a Swedish naturalist named Anders Sparrman, a student of Linnaeus. It has three subspecies – white-fronted amazon, lesser white-fronted amazon, and Sonora white-fronted amazon.
Appearance
White-fronted Amazon parrots are primarily green and have a white patch of feathers on their forehead, hence their name. They are also called spectacled Amazons due to the bright red rings around their eyes.
But unlike most Amazon parrots, males and females don’t look the same. Males have red edges on their wings, while females have green.
Length
The white-fronted Amazon is the smallest Amazon parrot subspecies, reaching only about 25 cm (approx. 10 inches) long.
Weight
White-fronted Amazon parrots are lightweight, weighing only about 205-235 grams (7.2-8.3oz).
Wingspan
The average wingspan of white-fronted Amazon parrots is about 20 cm (7.8 inches).
Temperament
White-fronted Amazon parrots are famous for being able to imitate 30 to 40 different sounds, including human speech. Despite being the smallest, these talkative birds are affectionate, sociable, and enjoy human interaction.
But like other Amazon parrots, they can also be quite stubborn and demanding once you do not pay close attention to them.
Cost
White-fronted Amazon parrots can cost from $1,000 to $3,000 each.
5. Orange-Winged Amazon Parrot
History
Scientifically known as Amazona amazonica, the orange-winged Amazon parrot was first recorded in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus. Also sometimes called loro guard, this parrot species is endemic to the wild of South America, including Central Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Unlike most Amazon parrots, this parrot has no subspecies.
Appearance
As the name implies, orange-winged Amazon parrots have a bright orange patch on their wings. They have a distinctive green plumage and a white or pale-yellow patch on their faces.
Like the blue-fronted Amazon parrot, this species has a blue and yellow patch on its forehead and yellow cheeks. It has a horn-colored beak with dark gray near the tip.
Length
Orange-winged Amazon parrots are medium-sized birds with a length range of 31-33 cm (12.2- – 12.9 inches).
Weight
Orange-winged Amazon parrots weigh between 360 and 400 grams (12.7 and 14.1 oz).
Wingspan
Orange-winged Amazon parrots have an average wingspan of 20 cm (7.9 inches).
Temperament
Like other Amazon parrots, orange-winged Amazon parrots are sweet, affectionate, and bond closely with their owners. These birds also love to mimic human speech and other sounds.
Interestingly, they are less talkative and have milder personalities than other Amazon parrots. Yet, some individuals may scream at times to call for attention.
Cost
The price of an adult orange-winged Amazon parrot can be between $1,000 and $3,000.
6. Lilac-Crowned Amazon Parrot
History
Scientifically called Amazona finschi, the lilac-crowned Amazon parrot is native to western Mexico. It is named after Otto Finsch, the German naturalist and explorer known for his classifications and writings about parrots of the world. Unfortunately, this Amazon parrot is listed by the IUCN as an endangered species as of January 2023.
Appearance
Lilac-crowned Amazon parrots have a bright, lilac-colored crown, hence the name. They have predominantly green plumage, a white face, a black beak, and gray legs and feet.
These parrots have a distinctive white ring around their eyes. They also look like the red-crowned Amazon parrot, except their crown is less vibrant.
Length
Lilac-crowned Amazon parrots are among the smallest and are only about 30.5-34.5 cm (12.0-13.8 inches) in length.
Weight
Lilac-crowned Amazon parrots typically weigh between 250 and 400 grams (8.8 and 4.1 ounces).
Wingspan
The wingspan of lilac-crowned Amazon parrots generally ranges from 38-41 cm (14.9-16.1 inches).
Temperament
Lilac-crowned Amazon parrots are known for being intelligent, friendly, and pleasant. Although they are also very vocal and energetic, these birds are quite shy and less aggressive as compared to other Amazon parrots. Once trained and socialized correctly, these small but entertaining Amazon parrots can be great pets and loyal companions.
Cost
The average price of an adult lilac-crowned Amazon is around $1,800.
7. Double Yellow-Headed Amazon Parrot
History
Scientifically known as Amazona oratrix, the double yellow-headed amazon is a parrot species native to Central and South America. Originally called yellow-headed Amazons, these parrots used to be popular pets, but their numbers have gradually declined. As of 2018, double yellow-headed amazons are listed as endangered species by the IUCN.
Appearance
As the name suggests, double yellow-headed amazon parrots have yellow heads. Some younger ones may have gray heads but will turn yellow once they become adults.
These birds have bright green feathers all over their bodies, white eye rings, horn-colored beaks, and yellow outer tails. Some strains have red areas on their shoulders.
Length
The double yellow-headed Amazon is one of the largest Amazon parrots. They can grow up to 36-40 cm (14.2-15.7 inches) long from beak to tail.
Weight
Adult double yellow-headed amazon parrots weigh between 350 and 550 grams (12.3 and 19.4 oz).
Wingspan
There are records indicating the average wingspan of double yellow-headed amazon parrots. Nevertheless, it is assumed that their wingspan is longer than most Amazon parrots.
Temperament
Double yellow-headed Amazon parrots are known for being playful and intelligent and for having remarkable “talking” abilities. They are also prone to screaming several times daily, especially at dawn and dusk.
But although both sexes don’t quickly get nervous, males tend to be hot-tempered and aggressive towards humans during the breeding season.
Cost
On average, adult double yellow-headed Amazon parrots can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 or even more.
8. Panama Amazon Parrot
History
As the name implies, the Panama Amazon parrot (Amazona panamensis) is native and endemic to Panama. Considered a subspecies of the yellow-crowned Amazon, this exotic bird has reduced greatly in numbers due to illegal trade. It is currently listed by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) as an endangered species.
Appearance
At first glance, Panama Amazon parrots look like the yellow-naped Amazon since both of them have bright yellow patches on their foreheads. However, the former has no reddish-orange mark on the upper part of their beaks, and they have darker shades of green. They also have white rings around their eyes and red spots on their wing tops.
Length
Panama Amazon parrots, including their tails, are 31-35 cm (12.2-13.8 inches) long.
Weight
On average, Panama Amazon parrots weigh about 380 grams (13.4 oz).
Wingspan
There are no records for the wingspan of the Panama Amazon parrot, but it is about the same as the yellow-naped Amazon.
Temperament
Panama Amazon parrots are generally playful, easy to train, and very intelligent. They are also sociable and love to interact with humans.
But unlike most Amazon parrots, this species is not a great talker and is quite moody. Instead, they would rather play with toys and climb around their cages. But still, Panama Amazons can make great pets.
Cost
Panama Amazon parrots range from $800 to $2,500 each.
9. Southern Mealy Amazon Parrots
History
Scientifically known as Amazona farinosa, the Southern mealy Amazon parrot is native to Central and South America and commonly found in Costa Rica and Panama.
One of its earliest records was done in 1780 by French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc (later became Comte de Buffon). He described the bird in his book, “Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux.”
Appearance
Southern mealy Amazon parrots have green body plumage, a blue forehead, blue wings, and a blue tail. As the name suggests, their bodies have a mealy texture or dry, powdery substance.
This distinctive characteristic is most apparent on their heads and cheeks. Their underparts are yellow, while their tails are green and yellowish green.
Length
The Southern mealy Amazon is one of the largest parrots in the Amazona genus, measuring about 38-40 cm (15.0-15.7 inches) long.
Weight
Southern mealy Amazon parrots are heavy birds, having an average weight of 540-700 grams (19-24.7 oz).
Wingspan
There are no records about the wingspan of Southern mealy Amazons. But because of their huge sizes, their wingspan should also be long.
Temperament
Southern mealy Amazon parrots are considered the calmest and gentlest among them all. Unlike most Amazon parrots, they tend to be more patient and wait to be picked up.
Although Southern mealy Amazons are sometimes noisy, their sounds have a deeper tone and can be heard at longer distances. Overall, this parrot species is friendly and smart.
Cost
The price of a Southern mealy Amazon parrot is between $1,000 and $2,000.
10. Green-Cheeked Amazon Parrots
History
The green-cheeked Amazon parrot (Amazona viridigenalis) is native to northeastern Mexico. Also called the red-crowned Amazon and Mexican red-headed parrot, this parrot species is currently considered an endangered species by the IUCN. Yet, it is one of the feral parrots, which means they can adapt to non-native environments.
Appearance
As the name suggests, green-cheeked Amazon parrots generally have dark green all over their bodies and cheeks and bright red crowns.
They also have horn-colored beaks, lime green or yellow underneath their tail feathers, and flesh-colored legs. Most strains have a distinct patch of blue behind their eyes that extends to the neck and nape.
Length
Green-cheeked Amazon parrots can grow up to 28-33 cm (11.0-12.9 inches) long.
Weight
Green-cheeked Amazon parrots weigh around 293-345 grams (10.3-12.2 oz).
Wingspan
Red-crowned Amazon parrots have a wingspan of 38-40 cm (15.0 to 15.7 inches).
Temperament
Green-cheeked Amazon parrots are exceptionally sweet, playful, and sociable. Aside from being good family pets, they also love to be the “life of the party.”
But while these parrots are very entertaining, their curiosity about the things around them can cause damage when out of their cages. Amazon parrots chew items such as electrical wires.
Cost
The green-cheeked Amazon is quite cheaper than most other Amazon parrots. An adult bird may cost only as low as $900 and as high as $1,700.
Amazon Parrot Maintenance Cost
Having Amazon parrots as pets is fun and satisfying. However, maintaining them means you have to spend some money. Although their basic needs are not very expensive, they could still be challenging to some.
So before you buy an Amazon parrot, here are some estimates on how much you can spend on their monthly maintenance cost.
1. Parrot Food
Like other parrot species, Amazon parrots should be fed a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and occasional treats such as nuts and seeds. Despite their small sizes, these birds have a good appetite. For parrot food, you may spend $15-20 a month.
2. Vet Visit and Medication
Amazon parrots are generally healthy birds but are still susceptible to obesity, bacterial infection, and liver cancer. Fortunately, they don’t require a lot of visits to a veterinarian. Still, it does not mean they don’t. For their medical checkups, prepare $10-40 a month.
3. Parrot Grooming
Like other pets, Amazon parrots also need some grooming. Aside from bathing them at least every 2 weeks, you may also need to clip their wings so they can no longer fly far and get injured. But then, you should also trim their claws using a Parrot Nail Trimmer.
- Easily trim your parrot's nails yourself
- Less intimidating/painful than other methods
- Reduce stress by avoiding a visit to groomer/vet
- Removes claw material effectively to shorten and blunt the tips
- One size for all parrot species
4. Parrot Bedding and Toys
Parrot cages should not only be clean and dry; you should also replace their bedding regularly. When it comes to exercise, Amazon parrots need toys to chew. Chewable parrot toys are not that expensive but should be replaced frequently.
- Extra large with size 18", this bird chewing toy is suggested for...
- This parrot block toy's type is stylish and attractive, which...
- The hardware part is made of high quality chain that is strong...
- The color is bright and vivid, which is a beautiful decor to hang...
- Great chewing and preening parrot toy to kill time and give...
5. Parrot Pet Insurance
Pet insurance for birds is not common, but it does not necessarily mean it’s useless. Since parrots can get sick and be accidentally injured and medications are quite expensive, why not enroll them in pet insurance? It may cost you $10–$30 per month, though.
Summary of the Cost of Amazon Parrots
Aside from the monthly expenses to maintain an Amazon parrot mentioned above, there are also one-time costs. This includes the cost of the initial medical checkup for the bird and buying a cage and other accessories such as a feeder and waterer. But to have a well-maintained parrot, a rough estimate of expenses is about $60-100 per month.
Where Can I Buy an Amazon Parrot?
Some Amazon parrots are endangered, but it does not necessarily mean you can no longer buy them. There are a lot of breeders and pet shops where you can buy them.
A quick search online will give you several results. However, ensure they can answer all your questions about the bird and have the required permits.
What Do Amazon Parrots Eat In the Wild?
Amazon parrots are herbivores. In the wild, they eat fruits, seeds, palm nuts, and leafy vegetables.
What Amazon Parrots Should Not Eat?
Amazon parrots are exceptional beggars and will eat almost anything you give them. But these birds are also prone to obesity, so you should provide them with a healthy, balanced diet.
However, some foods are unsafe and poisonous for them. Here are some foods that you should not feed to your pet Amazon parrots:
- Avocado
- Alcohol
- Caffeine (coffee, soda, tea, etc)
- Chocolate
- Foods with additives
- Fruit pits (apples, apricots, avocado, cherries, peaches, etc.)
- Onions
- Potato skins
- Raw meat
- Shelled peanuts
How Long Do Amazon Parrots Live?
Amazon parrots have a lifespan of 20-80 years and are known for their long life. If properly taken care of, they can live longer than their owners.
Do Parrots Live In the Amazon Rainforest?
Some species of parrots live in the Amazon rainforest. Parrots in the wild are known for living in rainforests. The Amazon rainforest is home to a diverse array of wildlife, which includes several bird species, such as parrots.
What is the Rarest Amazon parrot?
The world’s rarest Amazon bird is the Puerto Rican Amazon. Scientifically known as Amazona vittata, this Amazon parrot species is endemic to Puerto Rico. As of August 2020, the Puerto Rican Amazon is listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. It has an estimated world population of about 49 adult birds and is slowly increasing.