Animal Stories - People Talking About Birds



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Latest Animal Stories on Birds (4282)

Rosana - 2013-03-18
I have my Lorenzo, he is a three years old beautiful bird

Tim Calahan - 2008-01-31
I have had my YNA since he was 16 weeks old, visiting him weekly with the breeder. He is now 15 years old. I followed my breeder's instructions intoducing him to many people. He knows many of the neighbors in my condominium building, I don't allow him to be handled by my neighbors, but he is great around them when we are in the laundry room. I also have introduced him to friends, and he will go quite readily to them. YNA are quite loud, but that is typical of larger parrots in general. A YNA should be owned by people who enjoy being home, and are true animal lovers. They take time. think of them as perpetual two year-olds. I have never regretted my decision in purchasing Clyde. I think of him as my child.

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Lynne - 2013-03-17
I agree. These special birds need a lot of attention, and time and they must be carefully socialized, but if properly socialized and sensitively handled, and recieve the attention and stimulation they require (they are phenomenally intelligent, and are easily bored), they are wonderful companions. They are very special though, and MUST be treated with care, love and respect. They are not domesticated by are a tame wild animal of incredible beauty and intelligence. My Pepito (AKA JC) is the most loving and devoted animal friend I've ever had!

Suzy Wiberg - 2009-10-27
We have had a yellow nape, Salty, for 28 years, ever since he was a baby. He has gotten very mean over the last few years. I am the one he loves, and yet, now when I'm petting him, he pretends to like it and then, all of a sudden, he bites me horribly. He has also discovered that we get very annoyed when he makes a certain sound at regular intervals over a long period of time, so he loves to do that. Recently, when I let him out of his cage, he attacked our dog, and they got in a big fight with no one hurt. He also chases my husband when he's out of the cage, which is pretty funny! Basically tho, no one can stand him, and we don't know what to do with him. My husband called a parrot haven, and they said they don't take yellow napes. Also, I'm told he won't do well in a new environment. We don't want him to suffer, and we don't know what to do!!

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daleanna - 2010-03-05
Hi suzy,
My family and I have decided to get a bird, it looks like an Amazon so far.
I see you've had your bird 28 yrs! Is it possible that the house is quieter since kids are grown and therefore more bored? I'm asking cause we have 3 kids now, 17 yrs, 15 yrs and 6yrs, and I am hoping all the action would be enough stimulation but don't know what to expect years ahead. I have never owned a bird although I know they take time and LIVE LONG. Please tell me anything you can as I am soaking all info right now. Oh by the way, I love the part where the bird attacks the dog as I have been worried for the bird all along. The only thing I'm worried about now, is wrecking my husbands hunting spanial! Lucky he's an outside dog.
maria - 2010-04-24
I adopted one from someone and he is doing very well with me he even learned how to speak spanish now he is bilingual, maybe someone will adopt your parrot I love mine he is my baby.... if you are willing to give him to someone who will provide him with a good home let me know..
Scott Daniel - 2010-06-29
Suzy I don't know if by now you have been able to take care of the problems with your YNA but you might try a fellow by the name of Chet at
www.birdtricks.com. I have had Fatima for almost 40yrs and she really likes no one but me. Anyway check this guy out and see if he can help you.

Scott
laurie - 2010-08-07
Have you taken her to the vet and had a work up done? My yellow nape was getting a little crabby. Eventually we figured out that she had a thyroid condition. Now she takes a pill in her water everyday and she is back to being a sweet little girl...for the most part...she is an amazon after all. The vet can also give meds to help with other hormone problems which will help with behavior.
zehra - 2011-02-11
I really admire your patience and love for your parrot. Yes, some parrots do change their behavior when they get old and many people can not tolerate their noise and bad behavior and then these poor guys passed from one owner to another which I believe makes their lives miserable and finally they end up in the sanctuaries. I hope you would never treat him like that! He has already given you his best 27 years of life now it's your turn to take care of him! Please don't give up on him. My advice is that you should put harnesses on him and let him fly every day for a couple of hours because this is the only thing he doesn't have and you will see a dramatic change in his life. My best wishes for all of you.
Christina - 2011-05-12
Hello. I too have a yellow nape. My bird does the exact same things you described your bird as doing, I had to laugh. I could take your bird off your hands if you are interested. Although I know these birds don't take to each other I would have to keep them separate.
Anonymous - 2013-03-17
Hello there! It is a good possibility that Salty need to go see the vet for a check up. He may have a minor problem that is making him feel out of sorts. My Blue Front, Tinkerbell became progressively nastier all of a sudden, and it turned out that she had a touch of gout in one of her feet and was very very uncomfortable. (I got mad at her one day and yelled at her 'What IS your problem!!!???? and she raised her foot up and I could see it was swollen and ulcerated). Boy did I feel terrible! A little bit of medicine and a change of perches and diet, and she was my sweet baby again in no time. Even something as simple as being tired, or being dusty, dirty or a diet change can throw them off. Please get Salty checked out. I don't think he's being malicious or is trying to annoy you. He may be sick, unhappy or uncomfortable, and just having a hard time telling you what's wrong. Hoof luck!

ross - 2009-05-10
I read this description and it couldn't be farther from the truth. Yellow-Naped Amazon parrots are very mean and aggressive towards everyone except their owner (whom of which they bond a little too closely with). My mom has owned one for 28 years and he is one big jerk. If you step out of the room for so much as 30 seconds he will start yelling loudly (literally yelling) and will do so all day long until you come back. But get too close and he'll go on the attack. And when they bite is it is the most painful thing you'll ever experience. Their beaks are very strong and they can easily bite your finger almost down the the bone if they so happen to grab ahold of it.

The yelling may sound cute at first, but give it a couple of years and you'll soon be driven up a wall! My mom finally gave up and gave him to my Nana because she could no longer take the yelling any more. If you do not live by yourself and cannot afford to be around your bird at all times I highly suggest you pick something else as your exotic pet of choice. For as much as these annoying birds cost you could probably afford a tiger.

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Lynne - 2013-03-17
Animals are like people. There are friendly, nice people and there are mean agressive people. Part of it is inborn, and part is a result of life experience. I have been Owned by 2 amazons, and while they both had very different personalities, both were sweet, and because I handled them gently, and treated them with respect, made sure that they had all they needed to be healthy, have their minds stimulated, and respected their intelligence and let them be the birds they were they were wonderful companions and would virtually go fearlessly and politely to anyone (even very young children). My YNA JC goes to nursing homes, and children's special schools and is as sweet as can be with everyone. Of course, if he's tired, or having an off day and perhaps not feeling well, because he's moulting or itchy, I wouldn't think of taking him to do pet therapy. Birds DO have noisy times (usually morning and sunset, and YES they will be very vocal for about 10 minutes once or twice a day, but hey, they're big birds, and they're hard wired to use their voice to communicate especially at sunrise and sunset when they begin and end their days. Birds RARELY bite unless they are in fear of their life, protecting their mate, or if they are being harrassed and can't remove themselves from the situation. That being said, if you tease or harass a parrot, or if you corner them you will be bitten... hard, and yes it hurts. I've had parrots for over 30 years and was only bitten badly once and that was because my Tinkerbell was frightened off her perch, and fell and broke her chest bone and I had to pick her up and take her to the Animal hospital. I didn't realize that her chest was badly hurt, and she bit me out of pain and fear. My JC bit my mom once and didn't draw blood, for the simpe reason that she was trying to play with him when he wanted to sleep. My dad and I warned her to leave the bird alone and after tolerating 15 minutes of good natured teasing by my mom (who the bird loves) he finally nipped her and said 'NO.... Go to BED!'. Are there birds who have been abused who can't be handled and who are so traumatized they'll bite at most anything... yes. for the most part though...parrots rarely bite and never without a good understandable reason (at least from their perspective). You probably should never have a parrot.

ahmed - 2010-04-02
I just wanna know which one of these can talk more. Amazons, cockatoos or an african grey parrot?

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Editor's Note - 2010-04-05
African Grey Parrots are known to be the best talkers, followed by Amazon Parrots. Cockatoos generally only learn about 20 - 30 words/phrases.
phillip - 2010-04-16
A male yellow naped amazon talks the most, and will usally talk in front of anybody, where the african grey on the other hand will talk for it's owner sometimes, but when someone else walks in the room it will usually shut up. The cockatoo talks good but usually doesn't have a very large vocabulary "maybe about 50 words". Some of the yellow naped amazons have a vocabulary of 500+ words. So if you want the one that talks the most I recommend the yellow naped amazon. Mine started talking at about 4 months of age and is now a year and 1/2 and has a vocabulary of about 300 words. Keep in mind a lot of them learn new words & phrases quickly, even profanity.
Pat - 2010-05-19
I have had all three and the clearest was the African Grey then the YN Amazon. It seems that the bigger Toos are better talkers. That said I loved my YN Amazon. He was the love of my life. A funnier more personable bird you would never find. My house was broken into and both my birds were stolen. The thieves were caught but my birds were never recovered. One of the boys said the YN died shortly after being stolen. Wouldn't eat and one day was dead. Radar (the YN) was my bird. He was terrified of men. Not too hard to understand---he was captured by men in his native home---transported by men and many of his group died nearly 50% on the trip into the states. Then nearly all pet store owners are men. He was a loving boy when with me. But, and this is important, I respected him and his intelligence. I did not expect him to "preform" on command. If he did not want to step up and come out that was ok. Somedays I don't want anyone to bother me either. We, I believe, had mutual respect for each other. Radar never bit me unless it was in play. And it was just a pinch then he would laugh like a maniac and run across the perch saying "don't bite, Radar, don't bite mom. It was a joke of his. He also nicknamed himself. Called himself Dar. Would say "peek a Dar" instead of peek a boo. Loved blonds even tho I am a brunette. He would flash and sing and prance for a red-head or blond woman. I miss both of my boys so much. They were with me over twenty years and I really loved them like my children.
Lynne - 2013-03-17
All of those CAN talk. The Best are African Greys (although it can take over a year) followed by Amazons (Yellow napes and DYH are the best there although BFA's can talk too) followed by Toos and Macaws. That being said, if you MUST have a talking bird, buy a bird that you have already heard talk. Honestly, I've had 3 parrots in my life, and I would have love all of them just as much if they never said a word. Talking is the icing on the cake. The cake and the most important and charming thing about these animals is their intelligence, huge capacity for an intimate one on one bond, and their beautiful colors and fascinating acrobatics. It never mattered to me if they can talk. Remember, if they talk a lot, they're likely to also scream a lot! Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for! LOL

Barbara - 2010-07-30
I have a yellow nape, Dudley, whom I've had for over 20 years. Like many other of your stories mine too was cute and friendly for his young years and now only likes me. Since I am his caregiver that is OK, but I too must watch him closely as he will bite just when I am not expecting it, and then he laughs like crazy when I yell. Anyway, recently he has begun picking his chest feathers out. I have not changed his diet or living conditions. I have read that this means he is unhappy, could it be something else or does it always mean he is bored and needs more attention? I am thinking of taking him to the vets but would rather try other ideas before upsetting him with a visit to the doctor. Any ideas?

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Lynne - 2013-03-17
He needs to be checked out by the vet to rule out any physical problems that may be causing him to pluck (nutritional, skin, parasites, infections, etc). That's first. If there are not physical issues, then, you need to play detective and try and figure out what has changed that is causing him to be anxious/upset. For example, has your schedule changed? Are you having to spend less time with him? Did you move, have there been physical changes to the apartment? Social changes (new significant other/ change in roomate going out more, being home less, schedule changes). Does Dudley like to bathe? Frequent bathing can really help feather problems provided there is no underlying illness. Are you sure Dudley is plucking? Unless he's got all the colored feathers out and only gray down (or skin) is left it just might be a moult. Good luck. I'm sure that the vet can help. Make sure it's an avian vet! LYNNE

Cris - 2010-07-10
Hi, I have a Dutch blue and a black masked lovebird, I want to know how many eggs they lay and when/how to hatch them; please reply me.

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Wayne and Loraine King - 2010-08-03
They lay 3-6 eggs. If they hatch (assuming the male and female have successfully mated), the eggs will hatch in about 18-20 days. If one of these birds is a male and the other a female, and they have mated, the eggs may or may not be fertile as these are two different species. We do not recommend mating across species as you end up with hybrids which are neither Peach Face nor Black Masked and, often the colors are not as desirable as either parent.
catrine meem - 2010-08-12
The dutch blue must be sooo cute.
Gemma - 2010-11-21
Cris, I would recommend that you not breed your birds. First of all, laying eggs can be very dangerous for birds. We had a wonderful, healthy, friendly goose called Daisy - one day a egg broke inside her and she died in two hours. The same can happen with Lovebirds. Secondly, I would ask that you only breed Lovebirds of the same type (Dutch Blue w/ Dutch Blue, Black Masked w/ Black Masked, etc) to keep the species pure. And lastly - thousands of birds are homeless because there simply isn't enough good homes for all of them. Please be responsible and don't breed.
Cris - 2013-03-17
Thank you for your replies but they turned out to be both females and they had large variety off eggs. Also, Gemma my grandmother gave me this pair like that, one night we saw the pair bieng private & they turned out to be laying eggs. UNFORTUNATELY THEY BOTH PASSED AWAY THE FOLLOWING MONTHS........ PS. THE EGGS NEVER HATCHED AS THEY WERE POSSIBLY NEVER FERTILIZED BY A MALE
Cris - 2013-03-17
CAN SOMEBODY LIST A GOOD LOVEBIRD PAIR UP TO BREED???? If so then which pairs would make good combination??? NOTE: I DON'T WANT TO MAKE INTENTIONAL BREEDING, I JUST WANT TO KNOW FOR FUTURE REFERENCE...... THNX. IT WOULD HELP ALOT... :)

Max Gilbert - 2011-06-30
I don't quite understand, all the comments I have read. Sounds like everyone is having problems with their yellow naped amazons, biting and grumpy. Is it bad training/socialising/disciplining or should I just avoid amazons? This web site sings their praises: The Yellow-naped Amazon has just about the best reputation a bird can have as a pet and a wonderful companion. Please explain! Please let me know as I am thinking about purchasing: maximillion21@hotmail.co.uk Also I checked out the comments for the yellow crowned, all six comments were positive; what is going on!

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Charlie Roche - 2011-06-30
I truly understand what you are saying. Amazons make great pets. Some Amazons (just like us humans or different breeds of dogs) are much easier to be around than others. The Nape, the Double Yellow Head (to name two) have a tendency to want to be the BOSS. Panamas and Yellow Shoulders to just name two are comfortable with their human being boss and are not as territorial. Please realize that a person many times write Animal World for the exceptions - not the general every day thing. A person might write when they get a brand new pet, or are thinking about it(such as yourself). A person might write because something sad or funny happened with their pet. They might write because for some reason out of nowhere they are having problems with a pet. I go back Amazons are great pets and great fun. Mine (Peppy) just got married (mated) last year and had babies. He was 27 and flew in my bedroom every morning and climbed in bed and said "get up ma". I had to brush his beak with toothpaste, put a little lipstick on him and then head for breakfast for over 26 years. He was a Panama Amazon. However, Peppy did not like my mother. I would say Grandma is coming over and Peppy would growl and run and hide and say "Peppy be bad bird". Hysterical and true. I could pick up my Yellow Shoulder Amazons and pet them even when they were on eggs. No matter what it is a human, a dog, a cat a bird, you are not necessarily going to get along with it 24 hours a day. A person has to learn their birds body language, their vocalizations, their talking etc.
If the head is down and the feathers are flat and wings are out - the bird is saying "I have a bad headache and leave me alone". They also go through puberty, hormonal stages and just odd little quirky things. People write when something is different. So there are zillions of people out there very happy with their Amazons. Different breeds of Amazons have very different personalities but sometimes there can be a glitch but the vast majority love their talking friend. Make sure whatever kind you choose that you get it from someone who hand feeds - gently and lovingly.
Max Gilbert - 2011-07-01
Thanks for the long and thoughtful post. Perhaps you should add which ones like to be boss to the encyclopedia.
Max Gilbert - 2011-07-01
I have found a breeder who has orange wing,blue nape and yellow crowns can you help me make a decision which will suit me. I am at home all the time( not able to work due to chronic fatigue)my parents are too most of the time (retired) we have a large house which is attatched to a converted barn(so there is quite alot of space) I have not looked into wing clipping but if I decided not to clip his wings I could fly him in there. Chances are I would clip him as I heard they are easier to discipline and do not think they are boss and It would be my first parrot. Do you have a point of view on that subject? I would love to be able to let him fly. I would want him to be my companion but still accept the family and hopefully like meeting visitors. I would hope even after he is sexualy mature he would still want to be my companion. I would like him to be a good talker but I think friendlyness and character are higher on the list. so which do you think? or maybe you need some more info? I am going to a the Stafford Parrot show on Sunday so if you think there is an amazon which would suit me better than those three let me know and I will look out for a breeder.
Charlie Roche - 2011-07-01
Amazons in nature have a strong pair bond so as a pet, they are usually very much attached to one person. However, some amazons will tolerate other people a whole lot better than others. The new little gal (your a guy so get a gal - many will say that) is coming into your home and there are 3 people already living there. That is the envioronment it will know and will accept. Picking out an amazon. My sincere advice would be to let the amazon pick you. If you were going to get a puppy and there were 6 in the litter, the one you take home is the one that runs up to you and gives you kisses etc. Birds react in a very similar way. Let the little gal pick you. Take home the one that lets you hold her, tries really hard to communicate and looks at you. One that makes soft little silly noises and not one that growls. You will know. Let the bird pick her mate -- that will be you. Clipping wings - there is much controversy on this and for good reason. I had a female umbrella and her wings were clipped when I purchased her. She tried to come to me and because her wings were clipped, she fell and she broke her back. I have never clipped any birds wings or purchased a bird with clipped wings after that. I am very careful in that I take a baby or young bird and will sorta show them unsafe things like windows and walls. I show them this many times as I don't want them trying to fly into a window. I sorta just toss them 6 or so inches onto the bed or sofa showing them how to land and safe places to land. Most pet birds and any of the amazons I had would fly down and then walk. I figured people walk so they walk. Strange but true. My birds all walk around. Enjoy your shoe. Lots of luck and let her pick you.
Max Gilbert - 2011-07-05
If I don't have a personal recommendation. What questions should I ask to evaluate a breeder? To see if he knows his stuff and treats his birds right etc.?
Charlie Roche - 2011-07-05
A young bird is not going to have the shininess and color of an adult bird until after the first major molt. You can ask how and from what age the bird was hand fed. The younger the better and you want someone who says they fed with a spoon or a syringe. You do not want someone who tube fed. There is no real handling in tube feeding. Ask if the breeder pets his birds or how many he raises. See if you actually like the breeder. Are they pleasant and do they seem to like their birds. Bottom line is you are going to have to tell by the birds behavior. There is absolutely no reason at all under any circumstances you should not be able to hold, handle and hug a hand fed baby bird. There is no reason you should not be able to lay your little finger in the baby birds mouth without him bobing his head up and down like he's sucking on a bottle. There is no reason you should not be able to pick up and hold a hand fed baby bird and just give him a little kiss on the beak. Now you can't just grab the little guy and go fast. You need to speak softly and gently hold him and go slow. If you are nervous, sit down on the floor with the baby bird placed inbetween your legs. Gently pet the top of his head. (many amazons do not like their back pet so stick to the top of his head). Amazons make a funny baby sound da da da daaaah bobbing their head when they are content. Even a baby amazon will growl if you go to fast or scare him. You want an amazon preferably under the age of 6 months. It is just easier. So you want this years babies. If you can not pick up the bird or the breeder tells you that you can't handle the bird - go to the next breeder. It is better to go to the breeders home where the birds are raised (if posible) so you can see the nursery - see all the babies and how they act. is it clean etc. Breeders sometimes will tell you that thy don't want you handling a bird cuz of transmission of diseases possible at a bird show. You can take hand sanitizer with you so the breeder can't justifiably complain. Truly, most often, a bird will pick its owner. A bird will bond with certain people almost instantly. If you are holding that little bird and you know in your heart that you would do anything to keep this little guy - it is probably the right bird. The bird will try to taste you via putting his tongue on your finger cuz they need to see, smell and taste you. A fella came to my home and he wanted a bird. I had macaw, amazon and cockatoo babies. We went through the NURSEY and here are various ages of all kinds of baby birds. One amazon just sorta grabbed this guys shirt and would not let go. He so gently (and he was a huge guy) put his hands around this little amazon and held on. This amazon wasn't even weaned yet. The guy and bird just bonded. There is absolutely no reason you should have any problems handling a hand fed baby bird. I would strongly recommend that when you take him home, you feed him little tidbits with your hand. Cheerios are great for this. You can also get some baby peaches or applesuce and let the bird eat off the spoon. Feed him scrambled eggs with your hand. let him eat dinner with you and it's fine to let him eat off your plate. Messy but fine. The bird will want you.
Max Gilbert - 2011-07-06
Just wanted to say a big thank you for speed of answering, your passion for animals and amount of time and detail you put into your posts :)
Charlie Roche - 2011-07-06
AHHHH thank you. I love birds - actually all animals and sure have raised and had a few. I love it when they can go to a wonderful home - and I know yours is going to be great. Amazons are so expressive -
Charlie Roche - 2011-07-12
Have you found your amazon yet? You need to talk to her. If you converse, they will learn to speak but they will be able to converse as well.
I gave my Panama (Peppy) a piece of chicken and he said "what is"
I said it "is chicken"
Peppy said "chicken good".
I said "chicken good" and showed him as I tasted just a little

Peppy took it and bit it and said "chicken good" and let out a big belch (my daughter did the belch thing).

Few weeks go by and I give Peepy a piece of chicken and he says "what is" and I say "chicken"

He just grabbed it and said "chicken good" and belched.

Now without the piece of chicken and him being able to eat it, the whole thing doesn't make sense to him (or to a human). Use words, feet, beak, bell, wood, pizza (Peppy would stand right on top of the pizza box and yell "MINE"

They vocalize before a year but really get into talking about year 2. Peppy would be the phone or the kids coming home from school and then say "GOTCHA"
Gladys - 2011-08-06
Oh, please don't give this wonderful, personable bird such a bad reputation. Amazons in general tend to have strong personalities. But just like most birds, you should learn how to handle them and especially how to read their body language. Parrots are very intelligent, some with the intellectual skills of a 2-3 year old and and some with the emotional ability of a 5 year old!

I am with the Florida Parrot Rescue and have dealt with various types of birds. With all of them, and I treat them all as individuals with their own personalities and characteristics, I have to learn what they want and don't want, by learning to read their body language.

Research Amazons because they do have times of the year when they MIGHT not want you to handle them (sometimes because they are molting and sometimes because it is their season to mate). Additionally, any bird that you get when it is young, must be socialized. The more you take your bird out with you, let others handle it, and just interact with it, the better bird you'll have. They are definitely a huge commitment, specially since they live up to 60 years or more!

Additionally, training your bird makes the bird bond better with you and helps you to understand your bird better as well.

Lastly, always consider adopting from a Parrot Rescue Group. These birds live so many years, that they tend to outlive their owners. Changes in lifestyle also displaces birds so that they then need new homes. When you adopt from a rescue, you generally know the traits of any given bird because most rescues use volunteers who foster the birds in their homes. When you choose a bird, they can honestly tell you about the birds traits and help you make an informed decision on the type of bird you ultimately adopt. But you also must research their personalities to assure that your personality will mesh with a strong minded Amazon.

Amazons are Amazing!
Lynne - 2013-03-17
Amazons can be amazing companion animals, but they are not for everyone. Very few people are suited to being the 'pet human' to an amazon parrot. First, they are very, very intelligent, and they need a 'flock' that can help them stay interested, emotionally and intellectually engaged and challenged. This means lots of attention, playtime, toys, and games and a lot of physical affection. They are more emotionally demanding than even a dog. Parrots are very expensive, not only to buy, but to maintain. The birds are expensive, and caging is expensive. Beyond the initital investment, it costs approximately $3,000.00 to $3500.00/year to keep a pet parrot (vet care, fresh and pelletted food, supplies, and toys, etc). All birds, but especially parrots are very noisy and extremely messy. If you like things to be always neat, clean and quiet, a bird is NOT for you. Birds bond very very strongly to members of their human flock, and the relationship can be wonderful, and surprisingly loving and intimate. If you let the BIRD pick you out, you're likely to be more happy with the fit. Remember though, that it's a comitment to take seriously. Parrots are monogamous and mate for life. They live a LONG time and any 'breakup' could be very traumatic for the bird. Often, if a bird looses a loving devoted human, the bird can die from stress and depression. Remember, a parrot is at most 3-4 generations removed from the wild. They are not a domesticated animal but are a tame WILD animal. Even the most tame, polite, gentle, affection parrot can and WILL bit if frightened, threatened (or it's significant human is threatened) or injured. If you have a parrot, you have to assume that you WILL be bitten at least once, at some point. It isn't personal, and if you feel you can't deal with being bitten or nipped, better not to get a pet parrot. Parrots NEVER belong on shoulders. They eyes are to close to the beak and serious eye injury is a real risk. If however, you don't mind noise and mess, have time to devote to another of god's creatures and can respect the parrot's intelligence, and devote the time and attention needed to keep it mentally stimulated, happy and engaged, and believe that you financially assume this responsibility for your life and for the life of the bird, then a parrot may be the perfect companion animal for you. I know that it was the right choice for me! Good luck. Think about test driving a bird by bird sitting for a parrot.

jose a - 2012-03-19
Hello everyone i have a 15 year old yellow naped amazon I just got it 6 months ago from a shelter guy and that he was selling the bird so I buy him and he doesn't wanna talk or say a word. I try everthing to teach him some world in the last 6 months but still he doesn't repeat anything. Can someone give me a answer to what I can do so he can learn how to talk.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-03-20
How about we start with just communication. You make the sounds or repeat the sounds your feathered guy is saying. He may talk or maybe no one ever talked to him so he doesn't. Let's give him an idea of what it is. When he makes sound - you try and make the same sound back and say 'good boy' When he makes a sound - you repeat the sound and say 'HI' etc. Try that. Try to make sense with him. If you just say 'want a cookie' and there is no cookie - that doesn't make sense. But if you say 'do you want chicken and you have chicken - that does make sense. Start by communicating and making his sounds - then just talk and sing and see what sounds he likes to make.
kathy wood - 2012-03-21
I have had a yellow nape for 15 years. When I got him he was 15 years old. He says alot of words none that I taught him. Last week he said hi Bart hi Bartie thats the dog I got 2 years ago. You never know good luck.
Lynne - 2013-03-17
Hello there. If you MUST have a talking bird, you should buy a bird that already talks. Personally, I would love my feathered buddy even if he never said a word. My bird Pepito Grillo, was a talker, but it took 3 months for him to talk to me after he came to live with me. Just be patient, consistent, very gentle and let him hear people talk all the time. If you go out, leave talk radio or the TV on... If you can and he's clipped bring him with you on walks, to gatherings with people and try to join a bird club, and see if you can 'introduce' him to other birds that talk. Some birds talk, some don't. Try to look at talking as 'the icing on the cake'. Give him lots of love, attention, gentle handling, praise and treats, and play with him and talk to him all the time and maybe he'll have something to say to you. Good luck.

CJ Mauch - 2010-04-07
Hello to everyone, I purchased my yellow nape when he was an egg. His name is Stubby. Do to a flying accident from his early years he lost a nail. It took a few weeks before I could hold him without gloves. For 20 years, we were pals. He loved the dogs, cats and the 3 of the 4 kids. He would drive in the car, ride in the hood of my sweat shirt. My daughter would get in his cage with him. I remarried about 9 yrs ago and my husband soon became disabled and does not work and is home all day. I cannot even walk in front of his cage without him trying to attack. The only one that can touch him is my husband. If he has him out of the cage and I come near the room he will bite my husband. My daughter now 27 can not even come in the house if the cage is open. He is 25 yrs old now, does anyone know if he can become friendly. Oh I meant to add he will let me feed him on the weekends that I make him pancakes, the only time I can put my hand in the cage.

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H. W. McDaniel - 2010-04-08
We are the owners of a Yellow-naped Amazon. She was virtually abandoned to live with chickens. My wife and I have made it a firm rule to spend equal time with her. We are both retired, live in Hawaii where Babe can be outside all the time. We carry her about while doing yard chores or leave her in a tree. She loves us both equally which surprised us after hearing the tales of spouse abuse. On the other hand, one or the other of us spend most of our day with her, reading on the deck or whatever. She will bite me when strangers come in and she gets too excited. And, she takes immediate likes or dislikes to people. We have made another rule to have her in her cage when folks drop by.

I can only suggest that you start spending time with Stubby; even if it is only in the same room. Take it slow. I always let Babe make her overtures. Curtailing your husband's time with him might be of some help. I have found that expressing disapproval by tone of voice is helpful in stopping unwanted behavior. We seriously considered renaming Babe 'Chainsaw' after some demolition work on the deck but now things have mellowed out. Spring still brings on some ripping and tearing, tho'.
Katherain Smith - 2010-10-30
My husband has had a yellow nape for 25 years. He takes him out of his cage regularly and plays with him giving him lots of attention with me in the room. I stay at home and have tried to become Charlie's (the amazon) friend too......but....bad move. I handed him a cheerio which we give him occasionally for a treat. He threw it out of the cage. I thought, "Oh, he must have dropped it!" Duh. I tried again and again and the exact same thing happened. The last time he took a "hunk" of my finger. This is going to sound as if I'm talking about a person.....He is very opinionated, likes certain foods one day and not another. He adores my husband eventhough I'm with him all day, clean his cage (carefully) and Charlie is virtually silent until my husband gets home from work. When I'm close to the cage, he stalks me, growls, makes a barking sound and follows me around as I clean up and change the papers. He adores my husband who puts him on his shoulders, hangs him upside down, spreads his wings, plays and talks with him and the bird adores him. If he gets loud and my husband walks towards him to lightly tap him on his claw he immediately makes this sound as if he is being strangled. It is hilarious. My husband had him for years before I came along but I just wanted to warn others...no matter how nice you are sometimes the amazons seem to be bound to one individual. So watch out. Oh, this bird was raised with the children and as soon as he matured began aggressive behavior. I've done everything to try and win him as a friend....no luck! I feel like putting up a sign..."BEWARE, BIRD IN THE HOUSE!" I enjoy all of the comments. Thank you. Reading them has made me feel better about myself. I thought there was something wrong with me and I was getting a real complex. Thank again. Kathy
Anonymous - 2010-12-17
My reply is to Katherain Smith.... you need to know that yellow nape amazons bond with only one person. No matter how hard you try to relate, that bird will be bonded to only one person and feel threatened by anyone else. Just accept it.
BWT.... is he really your "husband"...?
amy - 2010-12-22
Why would one want such a pet? To each his own! Like owning fish.
Glenn Smith - 2012-02-23
What kinda crazy birds do you people have lol. My yellow napped is very social and mostly loves men. Loves attention and talks a little too much. All in all, he/she is the perfect friend to me and very happy to have him or her.
Charlie Roche - 2012-02-24
Many amazons, more frequently than not, will pair bond with one particular human. This one has with your husband and feels she (probably a gal) has to protect your husband from all others. If you get to close to your husband - yes, the bird will bite the husband in displaced possessiveness. The gal is your husbands bird and keeps him company - let him just be your husbands bird. The behavior is usually worse when spring is coming (breeding season) and might get a little better when summer comes. You could get yourself a little conure - some other bird that you love.
Lynne - 2013-03-17
Birds are individuals. Amazons especially have likes and dislikes and it's impossible to figure out what attracts them to one person or another. I'd consult the vet or a behaoviourist, but whatever the birds very favorite food/activity/game is, let the LEAST favorite person engage in that 'treat' with the bird. If birdie love to bathe, the least favorite person(s) should bathe her, etc. If he is agressive with your daughter and bites, then he probably needs to be caged when she comes around. If she's not clipped, clipping may GREATLY improve her attitude. You need to make sure he knows you're in charge, and if she still has her pilots license, that's hard to reinforce. Also, height is an issue. If her cage is very tall and she's always looking DOWN on you, get stools so you are taller than her. With birds, height is power!

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