Pet Talk - Orange-winged Amazon


Animal-World Information about: Orange-winged Amazon

   The Orange-winged Amazon is a charming, beautiful pet bird and a pretty good talker!
Latest Comments
Denzel - 2012-05-20
I have OW for about two weeks now and I believe she is 4 months old. She loves to screech and whistle and so far only says morning. She hates strangers and is very sweet. She comes out of her cage a lot and has a great time while out!!! She is a great pet I am glad we got her :)

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  • Charlie Roche - 2012-05-20
    Yes, they make an excellent pet. They are normally timid around strangers. Don't foget to start with the 'step up' command so it will be used to you picking him up. Start putting words to things he does now. Step up, kiss, hug, pretty (and you can pull his wing out and say pretty), etc
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ruth - 2012-04-18
Can anybody tell me why my mums parrots eyes keep changing colour?

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  • Charlie Roche - 2012-04-18
    The eyes aren't really changing color - the pupils are dilating (getting bigger and smaller)
    and it is frequently called pinning. The pupils expand so the eyes look darker or the pupils contract and the eyes take on a brighter color often times looking like there are actual rings of a different color (usually an orange) on the outside. It is a language - a body language. By watching the eyes and trying to determine the mood you can frequently tell when your parrot is haopy, sad, relaxed and or mad. If you see those pupils get real small and a fixed stare often in conjunction with a growl - leave him alone. If you see regular sized pupils and that relaxed furry look - it is gee I sure would like some attention. Any body language is different based on personality of the bird but it is another way a parrot does express himself. It is quite obvious in amazons.
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David Buss - 2011-10-16
Just got our 3 month old OW today. He/she is so smart it only took 7 hrs to learn to put his head by my hand to scratch his neck[pin feathers]. Is a very loving bird and just wants to be near his flock.

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  • David Brough - 2011-10-17
    How cool is that? Sounds like you have a friendly member of your flock!
  • David Buss - 2011-10-21
    My baby is doing very well after just a few days. Fiji loves to perch on my hand or fingers and or play on my chest and stomach. He has many toys but loves his plastic fork the best. His foot coordination is getting very good and he loves to have his neck and cheeks rubbed [gently]. He lets me know when I rub to hard but has not drawn blood yet. LOL. He is very loving and I can tell he is going to make a great pet/companion.
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-10-22
    Amazons are great and the orange wing is one of the less tempermental ones. I like all amazons but find some are just more loving and cuddly than others. Orange Wing is one of them. It is so great to have a pet that will actually talk back 'at you'. My human would tell our Amazon (a panama named Peppy to be quiet) abd Peppy would say 'no no no' etc. He memorized much of the dialogue from watching the Nija Turtles on TV and some people came to the home and Peppy said 'drop your drawers, I have a pistol' It was clear. Enjoy and have fun and talk to her a lot. They talk - they learn - they love musicals and cartoons like Surf's Up and Ninja Turtles.
  • David Buss - 2012-04-17
    Update ,Fuji is doing great. She turned 9 months yesterday. Fuji says wow, hi ,pretty bird and green bean(her nick name). She has three room mates, all African Grays. They all have their own cages. Fuji is very vocal and loves to whistle and schreech when you ignore her. She is learning to control some of her temper, but we still love her.
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Shannon - 2009-07-24
I rescued an OW amazon from a terrible place. He was living in a cockroach filled cage and fed nothing but garbage. He lost an eye from getting into a fight with a ferret in their home. His nails had not been trimmed in years,they were corkscrew down to his toes. He is elderly and imported, he has an open band. I cried all the way home because he looked so sad and sick when I met him, it's hard to believe he was living that way for so long. I got him home, bought him a new cage, gave him a bath, some good PROPER food and made a vet appointment. The vet told me I got him in the nick of time and that he was lucky I found him. He was VERY WILD. I have 10 other pet birds, most were rescued from bad situations, and I had never seen a bird as fearful of humans as he was. With veterinary care, proper diet and A LOT of patience and love he is turning out to be the SWEETEST little man. Almost as cuddly as a cockatoo, he can't wait to be with his momma and get a kiss. He loves watching HIS TV and chewing up wood when he is not in my lap. I mounted a tv with cable in the bird room (near his good eye so he can see it)because he loves it. He lets me know what he wants to watch. The only thing I can say that is sometimes a hindrance is his screaming, which I am working with him on. Unfortunately he spent most of his life locked in a tiny cage so screaming is the only way he knows how to communicate. I understand this so I am doing my best to be patient even though my hearing is probably permanently damaged. Since I got him I find myself saying "what" a lot, lol. His scream makes my cockatoo sound like she is whispering. OW Amazons can be VERY LOUD. OW are unique from the other Amazons. I love how he smells like daisies and his neck feathers "puff up" when he is happy.
Overall I've found that in spite of his fear of humans he is a gentle bird who doesn't have a mean bone in his body, he just wants love and to be understood.
I love him with all of my heart and I encourage all to rescue parrots instead of buying babies, there are plenty more out there just like mine who need someone to love them.

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  • Les - 2010-03-31
    Wow Shannon,

    Such a sad story. I felt so sad when I read his story but so happy that you are taking care of him now. Well done.

    Hope you are both well.

    Les
  • rachel - 2010-04-04
    I am very pleased to hear this I have a male ow called pippy, he is the sweetest most gentle bird ever, I have had him for 11 yrs and would never part with him. Like yourselves I think he had a bad start as I bought him from a pet shop in kent, he was advertised in a bird magazine, I phoned up and gave my details , sent the money and then I got the bird. I was told he was nasty and I would be lucky to even be able to feed him through the bars, but with a little tlc, me and pippy well I can do anything with him as can my children and husband , but he loves me most and I feel the same about him. We had an african grey called casper but she died last month of a hereditry heart problem , the vet was very impressed with the overall condition my parrot was in, so I booked pippy in to be seen by the vet , and the vet said he was perfect, and in fantastic condition , which I was proud of my animals are my world I love them. So I have now gone and rescued a lesser sulphur cockatoo from a home that he was no longer wanted at, I have had him 2 days and now he is eating and drinking like he should and his feathers are not dirty and he let me pick him up. I think we are going to be good friends. I can't stand people being nasty to parrots they are stunning animals.
  • CATHY - 2012-04-16
    My orange wing is loud too! ! But louder than a cockatoo! ! Or kidding! Mine is quiet now that he's comfortble in the new place but i whistle in a tin sports whitle an he stops,, sound like another bird to him i guess? ? Do they all have a dander or has mine been bathing in well water? ? Like a white coating on him? ? Or her not sure i got my ow at a rescue place in fla. . Very sweet bird , cathy
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Henri - 2010-10-17
I have just got a new bird orange winged amazon. He is with us for about 10 days and I am worried because he is not social and seems angry with us. He is aggressive even when I try to change his food or water. Will he act like other parrots? What can I do to make him feel comfortable and safe? It has been told to us that he is a wild bird.

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  • Karen - 2011-02-01
    Dear Henri, I hope by now your OW is more social to you. I had a wild African Grey many years ago and it took some time for the Grey to be comfortable around my former husband and me - even so, the Grey become more bonded to my former husband since it was him who played with him where I was the Grey's housekeeper, cleaning and feeding him/her most of the time. I think with the more interaction you have with your OW, over time he/she will become a great companion for you!
  • CATHY - 2012-04-16
    Hi I got an orange wing too , and when they showed me his personality it was so sweet. Then he growled at me when I tried to get him off his perch,, but this is a bluff! ! They will get on a stick then your finger , they are not turning on you. They just all need a stick to get up on first I dont know why but that they way the are! ! And the scream was a big shock! ! I didnt know a parrot could be so loud! ! And I got him from a rescue place. When you're not happy you bring them back an lose all your money! ! Cant resell! ! What a jipped! ! ! But he doesnt scream after they get comfy in your home. I have a sports whistle that I blow in when he screamed and he stoped or I leave around 5 o'clock he screamed 4 times and thats all , so he a sweetie doesn't bite so I feel sorry for parrotts that go to people that don't know how loud they can be only to get stuffed in a closet or worse. Sell him if your not happy! ! ! Change water often cause they dunk their food! ! !
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Jackie Bowers - 2012-03-09
After taking my OW parrot Punkin' to 2 vets and writing in to 'ask a vet' I am still at a loss. Punkin shakes his head (flinches) about every 5-10 seconds at times mostly at night. They don't feel that these are seizures because they would last longer. I have checked his diet and it seems to be fine. He talks and plays and eats and the vet says they just don't seem concerned at this point. It seems to be when he tries to fall asleep that this happens. Has anyone out there have a clue to what is going on or if their bird has done this? Thanks

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  • Charlie Roche - 2012-03-09
    He might just do this. Birds sometimes have peculiar mannerisms just like people. Is there anything that would 'tickle him' such as a fan or blower by the cage at night that would sorta take air across the top of his head? Probably just a mannerism and not long enough for seizures and mostly at night. Mannerism. Had a bird who always slept with one claw up his nostril. Another bird that clicked - I mean would click for prolonged times.
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Rain - 2006-02-16
Our OW amazon is called Bubba and we have had him for just over a year. He is now a year and a half old and makes us laugh all the time. He is the most loveable pet you could ever wish for and is deeply dedicated and loyal to my boyfriend and I. He loves to roll on his back and have a fight with our fingers, he loves to imitate us laughing and even laughs when he is having a fight! He likes nothing better than walking under our duvet cover and trying to nest....I think it is because it is so warm under there. He seems to love dark places and always tries to climb under the computer desk. He does not talk all that much but more than makes up for it with bizarre noises and imitations. He loves having kisses and cuddles with us...we can even stroke him when he is lying on his back! I would highly recommend OW amazons as pets...they are awesome and so funny! Never a dull day when Bubba is around!

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jadon hooper - 2008-11-06
I got my OW parrot 18 years ago. Does anyone think that is too long to have a parrot? Should I take her to a parrot zoo to be with other parrots and better enviroment?

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  • monique swartz - 2010-02-28
    if you get rid of the bird, know that the parrot got used to your voice and your senses.
  • Usako - 2010-04-29
    No, your parrot is bonded to you and would miss you very much if you did that. Parrots are for life, 18 years is nothing.
  • barb - 2010-12-03
    You should own your baby until it dies, if possible. Your baby should be just like a kid, would you get rid of your child once they turn 18, no. If she/he is happy and healthy, keep it. Don't get rid of it because of age. These birds can live into their 40"s, 50"s or longer.
  • Robert Tilton - 2011-05-11
    I've read somewhere that orange winged amazons can live about 35 years, I've had mine for 26 years years. The separation from you and putting the bird in a new envirionment would be very stressful for the bird.
  • Kristen - 2012-02-04
    Jadon, if you love and are happy with your bird, why would you give her away? Especially if she loves you back. It may be the worst thing you can do to your bird. These birds require a life-long commitment. They are flock birds and choose life-long mates. If there is a bond between you and your bird, don't do it unless absolutley necessary. You could ultimatley break her heart.
  • Rebecca Nyerges - 2012-02-20
    Orange wings live 60+ years if well cared for. I was just given a orange wing and he is great:) If you get rid of a older bird its best to try to give it to a person that will give it attention its used too...
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Tinga - 2011-12-11
My brother has just bought me an OW after I mentioned wanting a parrot. He was bought from a bird breeder and we were given a certificate saying his hatching date as 15th July 2011. I have him home and I love him to pieces, but I'm unsure on how to tame him! I'm worried that he hasn't eaten since he arrived which was 48 hours ago. He also 'twitches' and panics, flapping away when ever I put my hand any where near him. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice as I've never had a bird/parrot as a pet before. Thanks

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  • Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2011-12-11
    Well, first, give him some time to acclimate to his new environment. If he only arrived 48 hours ago I am sure he is still getting used to his surroundings and to the new people. I would talk to him daily when feeding him and in another couple days start approaching him again. Try offering him food and approach him with your hand very slowly. If he was hand-fed as a baby he will probably warm up to you pretty fast. Here is a guideline on taming an Amazon parrot for a little more information: Amazon Parrot Care, Handling and Training
  • David Buss - 2011-12-22
    I have an OW hatched July 12 2011. Figi was hand raised by a very good breeder who we knew. I was able to see and play with Figi from about 2 weeks old. You should contact the breeder and find out what they fed him and go with that. You can later introduce other approved foods. Don't worry once he gets use to you, or his new suroundings you can use food treats and a calm voice and he should come around. Figi loves to have his/her head/cheeks/chin scratched. The best thing you can do is talk to him and move slowly till he lets you handle him at will. You are in for a lot of fun and a friend for life.
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krystal - 2011-12-11
i guess our biggest problem is my gramas bird peppi spent his whole life just about with chico grampas bird and a cockatoo he can be kind of a bully at times and i think its made peppi a very shy bird but if u seperate them they both get depressed. i dont know what to do chico never really hurts peppi he just pushes him around and sometimes off the cage but i dont think its good for him. do you think a cage with a removable panel to seperate them at least at night would be helpful? and do you know of any way i can encourage playful friendly behaviour?

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  • Charlie Roche - 2011-12-15
    If they have spent years like this - I would just let them spend more years like this. The macaw and the conure in my home get into pushing contest quite frequently. Is it play or fights, I am not sure but separat they will always go to the others cage. They find any which way to break into the others cage. They will sleep side by side. I try and think of two 3 year olds messing around - it helps. I'd just let them be and at night they probably don't even move around.
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