The double yellow head amazon (Amazona oratrix), also known as the yellow-headed parrot and double yellow-headed amazon, is an endangered amazon specie of Mexico and northern Central America. Measuring 38–43 centimetres (15–17 in) in length, it is a stocky short-tailed green parrot with a yellow head. It prefers to live in mangrove forests or forests near rivers or other bodies of water. It is sometimes considered a Subspecies of the Yellow crowned amazon (Amazona ochrocephala). It is a popular pet and an excellent talker. Poaching for the international pet trade has driven the species to near-extinction in the wild; around half of all wild-caught birds are thought to die in the process.
Origin and History
Native to Mexico and Central and South America, this parrot’s natural habitat is forests and woods near water. Habitat destruction and trapping for the pet trade have severely compromised the numbers of the double yellow-headed Amazon parrot in the wild; only a few thousand wild birds remain.
The International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources classifies this bird as an endangered species.1 International treaties now make it illegal to capture, export, or own wild-caught birds. Captive-bred birds can be legally sold and owned, though documentation is required.
A few introduced wild groups of Double Yellow Head Amazon parrots live in diverse locations, including Stuttgart, Germany, and several locations in southern California
Temperament of the Double Yellow Head Amazon Babies
When hand-fed from a young age, these birds can be affectionate pets. They’re intelligent, have remarkable “speaking” ability, and they love to be the center of attention. However, problems may occur when an owner is unwilling or unable to give the parrot the attention it demands.
Like many parrots, Double Yellow Head Amazon may go through a hormonal bluffing stage as they approach sexual maturity (age 4 months to 1 year). They can become aggressive and may lunge and bite at people during this phase. The bluffing behavior can last for several months (and sometimes up to two years). If you have small children who will be interacting with the bird, it may be better to choose a different species if you plan to get a young or adolescent parrot.
The double yellow-headed Amazon tends to bond with one designated family member. You can avoid this by making sure that multiple family members handle the bird regularly, especially when it is young. Hand-feeding by all family members will reduce the bird’s tendency to bond with only one person.
Speech and Vocalizations of the Double Yellow Head Amazon Babies
This species is the best mimic of all the Amazon parrots and is second only to the African gray parrot in its ability to learn words and phrases.
It is also a noisy, boisterous bird, prone to screaming sessions twice a day, at dawn and dusk. These loud vocalizations are normal for this species. Screaming can become a problem if the bird screams all day long, which can happen if the bird is bored due to a lack of attention or mental stimulation.
