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An Amazon parrot is a large parrot of the genus Amazona native
to the New World ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean. Most
amazons are predominantly green, although the accenting colors can often be quite
vivid and vary depend on the species. Amazons, like all parrots, are zygodactyl,
having 4 toes on each foot - two front and two back. They feed primarily on nuts
and fruits, supplemented by leafy matter. Several amazon species are commonly
kept as companion animals, including the Yellow-headed Parrot, Yellow-naped Parrot,
and Blue-fronted Parrot. Amazons are usually known for their exceptional
vocal abilities, playfulness, and dexterity with their feet. However, some amazons
are known to be aggressive and they all require attention when kept as pets. In
particular, since Amazons are cavity nesters in the wild, their desire to chew
wood is strong, and they need to be provided with destructible toys to satisfy
this innate urge.
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Amazon cages |
Classification
Cuban
Parrot, Amazona leucocephala
Yellow-billed Parrot, Amazona collaria
Hispaniolan
Parrot, Amazona ventralis
Puerto Rican Parrot, Amazona vittata
Yellow-lored
Parrot, Amazona xantholora
White-fronted Parrot, Amazona albifrons
Black-billed
Parrot, Amazona agilis
Tucuman Parrot, Amazona tucumana
Red-spectacled
Parrot, Amazona pretrei
Red-crowned Parrot, Amazona viridigenalis
Lilac-crowned
Parrot, Amazona finschi
Red-lored Parrot, Amazona autumnalis
Blue-cheeked
Parrot, Amazona dufresniana
Red-browed Parrot, Amazona rhodocorytha
Red-tailed
Parrot, Amazona brasiliensis
Festive Parrot, Amazona festiva
Yellow-faced
Parrot, Amazona xanthops
Yellow-shouldered Parrot, Amazona barbadensis
Blue-fronted
Parrot, Amazona aestiva
Yellow-headed Parrot, Amazona oratrix
Yellow-crowned
Parrot, Amazona ochrocephala
Yellow-naped Parrot, Amazona auropalliata
Kawall's
Parrot, Amazona kawalli
Orange-winged Parrot, Amazona amazonica
Scaly-naped
Parrot, Amazona mercenaria
Mealy Parrot, Amazona farinosa
Vinaceous Parrot,
Amazona vinacea
St. Lucia Parrot, Amazona versicolor
Red-necked Parrot,
Amazona arausiaca
St. Vincent Parrot, Amazona guildingii
Imperial Parrot,
Amazona imperialis
Note: the Amazona ochrocephala species historically
contained many sub-species, such as auropalliata and oratrix. However, new taxonomic
classification puts those in their own species. |
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