Vinaceous Amazon Parrot
Characteristics
Length: 36 cm (about 14 inches). Green; all feathers are black edged. Forehead, chin, and lores red. Upper throat, breast and sometimes the abdomen are purple-red. Nape feathers bluish. Eyes orange-red, beak red with a horn colored tip on the upper mandible, legs gray. The female is darker tinged and the beak is less red. The young have pale red lores and the beak is red only at the base; their iris is yellow. Gentle, affectionate bird, but as a rule, not a good talker. Only young birds are easily tamed. They are endangered and export is forbidden but there are still pet birds in Europe and the USA.
Social Behavior
Prefers to be kept in pairs or colonies. Young birds may be taught to talk.
Diet
All parakeets and parrots need a large variety of fresh, healthy foods, whether on a pellet or a seed diet. Beneficial foods include dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, dandelions, and chard, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. Healthy table foods like cooked eggs, corn, beans, pasta, and rice can also be offered. Remove perishable foods after a few hours and at bedtime. Grit, gravel, and oyster shells should never be given. A seed-only diet will result in malnutrition. Eventually, a parakeet or parrot should become acclimated to a diet containing specially formulated pellets. An AVIAN vet can help with more information.
Cleaning
Tray liners should be replaced every day and the cage bottom, fittings and dishes regularly washed with hot water and soap. Once a month, disinfect the cage with diluted bleach and rinse thoroughly. Line the tray with black and white newspaper or paper towels. It is unsafe to use pine/cedar shavings, corn cob or walnut bedding.
Fertility
Birds breed in captivity without too many problems. The female lays 2-3 eggs which hatch after about 28 days. Both parents feed the young. High-protein baby cereal and bread soaked in honey-water are essential during the breeding season. Also necessary are sunflower seeds, monkey chow, fruits and greens. Willow twigs are necessary throughout the year.
Health
All parakeets and parrots should be examined by a qualified AVIAN vet at least once a year or ASAP if any bleeding, injuries, or other signs are noted. It can be hard to tell when a bird is ill, and by the time you notice a problem, the sickness is usually well-advanced. Delaying a visit with an AVIAN vet or using over-the-counter or human medicines may be fatal.
Warnings
All parrakeets and parrots have very sensitive respiratory systems and should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, aerosols, harsh cleaning products, or other toxic fumes.
