Yellow Naped Amazon

Yellow-naped amazons inhabit dry forest and mangrove habitat of the tropics, and nest in naturally occurring cavities. Although yellow-naped amazons will not excavate cavities, they will chew the entrance The vocal behavior of yellow-naped amazons has been more extensively studied than in any other wild parrot. Yellow-naped amazons, like all parrots, exhibit vocal learning behavior in the wild. This behavior manifests in the form of vocal dialects,in which the repertoire of calls that parrots vocalize change at discrete geographic boundaries, similar to how humans have different languages or dialects. These dialects also are meaningful to the parrots; they are less responsive to calls that are not their own dialect.Dialects are also stable over long periods of time.

Origin and History
Sometimes considered a subspecies of the yellow-crowned Amazon parrot, these birds are native to the Pacific side of Central America and northern South America. They primarily live in southern Mexico and northwest Costa Rica.

There are two well-known subspecies of the yellow-naped Amazon. The Honduras yellow-naped Amazon (Amazona ochrocephala parvipes) lives in Honduras, the Bay Islands, and parts of Nicaragua. The Roatán yellow-naped Amazon (Amazona ochrocephala caribae) is also native to northern Honduras as well as the island of Roatán.

Like many exotic pet parrots, this species is endangered in the wild. They are threatened due to deforestation and illegal trapping.

Temperament
Yellow-naped Amazons are brilliant, comical birds that love to be the center of attention. They tend to form extremely close bonds with their owners.

Hand-fed Amazon parrots typically make loving, affectionate pets. Like many Amazons, however, yellow-naped Amazons go through a hormonal bluffing stage as they approach sexual maturity (age 4 months to 1 year). While the phase does pass, it can sometimes last for up to two years.

During their bluffing stage, yellow-naped Amazons may bite and show other aggressive behaviors. It’s more apparent in the males, and some birds act out more than others. Because of this, you may want to consider a female parrot. In general, a young or adolescent Amazon is not the best bird for families with children.

Speech and Vocalizations
These parrots may not screech as much as some, but they will get very loud on occasion. They are excellent talkers and singers, however. You can train these birds to develop a rather extensive vocabulary of words spoken with great human-like clarity, but be careful what you say. They’re also known for picking up (and relentlessly remembering) some phrases you’d prefer the bird forget.

How to Teach Your Pet Bird to Talk
Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot Colors and Markings
Yellow-naped Amazons are mostly a bright green color. Their name comes from a blaze of yellow on the lower nape along the back of the neck. Another yellow patch often appears on the forehead and crown, and they have slashes of red in the feathers of their wings. These birds have gray to black beaks and feet.

There is a stunning color mutation of this bird. Its primary body feathers appear as a blue-green with darker turquoise on the wings and a white spot on the nape. They are rare and command a high price in the bird world.

Males and females look exactly alike. To tell the two sexes apart, your bird would require genetic testing or a surgical sexing procedure. DNA tests are the least invasive way and can be purchased online, inexpensively.

Caring for a Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot
Yellow-naped Amazon parrots are best suited for experienced bird owners. They require a great deal of attention, and you will need to set aside a period each day for one-on-one interaction with your bird. This socialization is key to establishing and maintaining a healthy bond.

These birds thrive on social interaction, and they need it to remain healthy and happy. Neglected birds can fall into destructive behavior patterns and depression. Depression or anxiety can lead to physical and emotional problems, including feather plucking and biting people.

For these reasons, you should ask about the history of any mature bird you’re looking to adopt. Bad habits, past trauma, and inadequate training can result in a parrot that even the best bird behaviorists will have difficulty rehabilitating.

Potential owners should remember that if they adopt a yellow-naped Amazon, they are taking on the care of a creature that is every bit as intelligent and emotional as a human toddler. Due to their very long lifespan, caring for one is not a commitment to be taken lightly.

Make sure you provide a cage that is suited to this bird—at least 3 square feet. The bird may seem small, but it still needs room to move and play. Keep the bird occupied while you’re not available by outfitting the cage with ladders, perches, and interactive toys.