Animal-World > Birds > Amazon Parrots > Blue-fronted Amazon

Blue-fronted Amazon Parrots

Blue Front Parrot, Turquoise-fronted Amazon

Family: Psittacidae"Pleco"Amazona aestivaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy April Gonazles

   Blue Front Amazon is a very outgoing bird, a great performer and loves to talk!

   The Blue-fronted Amazon Parrots Amazona aestiva are very sociable extroverts, they love to showoff. These pretty birds have long been popular as pets and are one of the most commonly kept Amazon species. They are mentioned in literature written well over 100 years ago. It is an attractive bird with vivid coloring as an adult, yet each adult will have its own feathering pattern. It is known to have one of the longest life spans, 40 plus years, with the potential of reaching nearly a century in captivity.

   This is an intelligent parrot that can be trained to perform tricks and to talk. Comical and entertaining, the Blue-Front Parrot is a bird that you will frequently see in live animal acts. They love to learn and they even can sing. They definitely love music. They can speak and some Blue-fronted Amazons speak just as well as the yellow Amazon parrots like the Double Yellow-headed Amazon Amazona oratrix, or the Yellow-crowned Amazon Amazona ochrocephala.

   The Blue-Front Amazon can be quite independent, but it is one of the easier going Amazons. It will probably have a favorite in the family, however will normally consider the entire family to be part of its flock and behave accordingly. Yet it can become quite attached to one person and if it is not socialized well, will frequently dive bomb anything it feels is a threat to its human. In general all Amazons can be quite protective of their human counterparts. It is important to socialize this parrot starting at a young age.

   This is a calmer amazon and fun to watch. Blue-fronted Amazons like interaction but are quite content to entertain themselves for hours at a time just playing with their toys. The Blue-Front gets along quite well with other birds. It is usually non-aggressive although the males might get a little territorial during breeding season or molting.

For more information about Amazon Birds see:
Amazon Parrot: Information and Care

Geographic Distribution Amazona aestiva Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Scientific name

   Amazona aestiva

Distribution

   The Blue-fronted Amazon Amazona aestiva was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is also known as the Blue Front Parrot and Turquoise-fronted Amazon. It is native to Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Northern Argentina. In the wild they live in flocks. They inhabit forests and wooded areas where they feed on fruits, berries, seeds, nuts, and the blossoms and leafy buds of foliage.

Status

   The Amazona aestiva is on the IUCN Red List for Endangered Species as Least Concern (LC).

Description

   The Blue-fronted Amazon is similar to the Orange-winged Amazon Amazona amazonica, but is larger overall. The Blue-Front is primarily green, however, there is quite a bit of color to this species. The feathers are edged with a dusky black. Directly above the upper mandible are blue feathers, going into white and then yellow. The yellow feathers can wrap around the head, eyes and neck. The feet and beak are gray. These birds can reach up to 14" (36 cm).

   There is considerable variation in the markings and coloration on the Blue-Front. Sometimes the blue is a vivid turquoise, thus the name Turquoise-fronted Amazon. Sometimes the blue will cover the entire face. The wings, when extended, will show vivid colors of bright red and violet blue. There are also several mutations of the Blue-Front, but the mutations are not readily available in the pet market.

• Lutino - There is a Lutino mutation where the bright yellow feathers are replaced with white.
• Cinnamon - The Cinnamon mutation is a cinnamon-yellowish color.
• Blue - Another mutation produces an all blue bird with pale yellow markings.

Care and feeding

   In the wild, the diet of the Blue-front parrots consists of fruits, plants, seeds and nuts and probably some protein. A pet bird will enjoy a varied diet, including a quality seed mix or a pelleted diet, and many fresh fruits and vegetables. Plenty of human food that is nutritious can be offered, and they like chicken. Avocado and chocolate are toxic to any parrot. They like to eat at the table and enjoy eating with their family. They will let you know when it's dinner time.

Housing

   A roomy cage is required for the Blue-fronted Amazons. Amazon parrot cages must not be too confining, so get one that your pet will be able to feel comfortable in. It is their territory and their safe place.This parrot likes to climb and play, and enjoys expanding its wings. It is recommended that a cage be 2 x 3 feet wide and 2 1/2 to 5 feet high, and with a play pen top. A great thing is to have a hanging perch above that for climbing.

   Blue Front Parrots can tolerate varying temperatures, but they need to be kept away from any drafts. They love to be out of their cage on a playpen, and will enjoy interacting with their human as well as playing with toys. A variety of perches should be used of varying size and texture. A rougher textured perch instead of the smooth, doll-rod types, makes it easier for them to perch and is better for their feet and legs. A concrete perch can be placed as the highest perch in the cage and next to a toy. At times during the day they will perch there and it will save them (and you) from the ordeal of having their nails filed.

   Learn to have fun during bath time. Whether you spritz your amazon with water or an aloe spritz, or just put him in the kitchen sink, make it fun. Your amazon will teach you how he likes to be bathed.

Maintenance

   The basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should wash all the perches and dirty toys, and the floor should be washed about every other week. A total hosing down and disinfecting of an aviary should be done yearly, replacing anything that needs to be freshened, such as old dishes, toys and perches.

Social Behaviors

   These parrots enjoy human interaction as well as interaction with other birds. They like to be greeted when you come into the room. They like to eat at the table and will let you know when it's dinner time. They are quite content and comfortable to be on a perch and in the company of its humans. Whether watching TV or eating dinner, the Blue-Front wants to be with you. The more your amazon is around its human counterparts, the more socialized it is and the more it will talk, sing and mimic. You will establish a greater attachment between you and your feathered friend the more you are together.

Handling/Training

   The Blue-fronted Amazon quickly becomes accustomed to a new environment and its keeper, and is then ready to start bird training. Generally though, you should give a new arrival a few days to get use to you, your voice and its cage before trying to handle it. A hand fed baby will not need much taming and can often be handled right away, as it is use to human attention.

   For information about training your Blue Front parrot see: Amazon Parrot Care: Handling and Training

Activities

   The Blue-Front is an active amazon and needs plenty of toys, and a hanging perch would be great. A moveable perch that can follow you around the house is almost a requirement. It likes to play, will make its own music and dance, and is quite an acrobat. They entertain themselves quite well and you will enjoy it.

Baby Blue-fronted Amazon Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

Sexing - Sexual Differences

   Blue-fronted Amazons are not sexually dimorphic, females look like males. If gender identification is important (for example for breeding birds) DNA / Feather or surgical sexing is recommended.

Breeding/Reproduction

   These Amazons are commonly bred in captivity. But the sexes must be confirmed and the pair must be harmonious, bonded with each other.

   They will need a nest box that is 31"-39" (80-100 cm) high with an inside diameter of 12"-14" (30-35 cm) and an opening of 4"-5" (10-12 cm). Provide some soft bedding material inside on the bottom of the box.

   The hen will lay two to four eggs (sometimes 5) which she will incubate for about 29 days. The young will leave the nest at proximately 9 weeks old. In some cases the female will not feed all the chicks so a breeder will be feeding some from day one.

Potential Problems

   The Blue-fronted Amazon, though a quieter amazon, can be noisy early in the morning and when the sun is setting. This usually lasts for about 10 minutes. It is just waking up and letting you know it is up or getting ready for bed. These parrots when well cared for will seldom become ill. Though it is often difficult to determine illness, some visible signs of illness to be aware of are:

• ruffled plumage
• listlessness
• drooping wings
• sagging body
• extreme mood changes
• having no appetite
• bulges in feathering
• partially closed or watery eyes
• swelling of the eyelids
• rasping
• difficulty breathing
• excessive saliva
• dirty vent
• any change in the feces not apparently diet related.

   Some of the more common illnesses are:

• Psittacosis (chlamydiosis or parrot fever)
• bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
• feather picking (results of boredom, poor diet, sexual frustration, lack of bathing)
• allergies
• chewing flight and tail feathers by juveniles
• beak malformations in chicks
• Papillomas
• kidney disease (gout)
• toxicity
• heavy metal poisoning
• lipomas in older birds.

   If you notice any of these bird illnesses in your Blue Front parrot, immediately provide a warm, draft free, secure environment kept at about 86°F (30°C). Place food and water close to the perch where it is easily accessible. An ailing parrot should be taken to a avian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Availability

   Blue-fronted Amazon Parrots are readily available and it should be easy to find one in a pet store or from breeders in your area..

References

• Animal-World References: Pet Birds - Exotic Birds
• Dr. David Alderton, The Atlas of Parrots of the World, T.F.H. Publications, Inc. 1991
• David Alderton, Parrots, Salamander Books, 1999
• David Alderton,, A Bird Keeper's Guide to Parrots and Macaws, Salamander Books, 1989
• Arthur Freud, All About The Parrots, Howell Book House, 1986
• Werner and Susanne Lantermann, Amazon Parrots, Barron's Educational Series, Inc. 1988
• Blue-fronted Yellow-shouldered Amazons, AvianWeb LLC, Copyright 2010

Author: Cheryl Galloway, Clarice Brough CAS

Lastest Comments on Blue-fronted Amazon View all 56 comments on Blue-fronted Amazon Add Your Comment

Kim - 2012-05-23 Hello I have a blue front amazon parrot have had him for about almost 5 months. I was told he was 4 yrs old and they were not sure if he was male or female. As far as I know he went from breeder to 2 different owners, a male for over 3 yrs then a female for 3 months then I bought him myself. My Question is this at what age should he talk really good? He says small things but very very limited laughs alot and screams more then anything and never sings is this normal? Also he has had many different names breeder called him Kiwi male called him Pedro and the female called him Rudy so myself and my family call him Rudy should we try and call him all 3 names or keep to the last one? Charlie Roche - 2012-05-23 Let the little one pick his name. Go down a list which can include the 3 names plus a whole bunch of others. Pick the name he responds to. You will be saying Rudy, Kiwi, Bob, Bets, Sinbad or whatever and the sound he likes he will give you some sort of responce and let that be his name. If he responds to Rudy - then let that be his name. Amazons can learn to speak at any age. The more they are talked to and hear TV, radio and humans talking to them - the more they are going to talk. He probably hasn't really started talkuing yet because of so many owners but he will - onc he starts - he won't stop. Put words to his actions ie 'food' 'up' 'hug' 'scream' play 'peek' laugh and say 'laugh' put words to things he does or sees. Kim - 2012-05-25 alright thanks will try that for a few weeks see if it does any good Reply

max - 2012-05-19 Hi I am looking for some advice regarding my bfa. He is 2-4 years old. My parents have had him for about 3 years, and had him never leave his cage for most of that time. During the past 3 months, I began letting him out and placed a perch atop his cage. He now hardly stays in, and loves to fly out and about the house. He had chosen my mom as his partner; she is the only won he flies to and sits on her shoulder and body, and would never ever bite or act aggressively towards her. But even she can't get him to step up on command. When she tries, he jumps out of the way and acts afraid. For myself, I have learned his mannerisms and when he is in a good mood he is playful and lets me massage and pet him. But I want to teach him to step up more than anything. If anyone has any ideas please post a reply. Thank you. Charlie Roche - 2012-05-19 I don't know how you are trying to get him to step up but how about we try it this way. He isn't going to want to 'step up' on your hand if he thinks you want to put him back in his cage. They can be extremely acrobatic and very clever when it comes to not going back in the cage. So let's put him in your moms lap and have him 'step up' on to her arm (have her put a long sleeve shirt on so not slippery for the little guy). Then have the little guy 'step up' onto her other arm. She would place her arm directly under the birds chest and press backwards toward the feet. The bird would have no choice but to step up onto her arm. Have her keep switching arms for just 6 or 7 times and do that a few times a day making a game of it. Be like climbing up the stairs. Now do the same thing - climbing up the stairs going from one hand to the other. Let me know max - 2012-05-20 Hi Charlie, The thing is, and I should have mentioned this before- he is very fearful I think he has trust issues. Whenever we bring our hands towards his chest and try to force him to step up, as you described, he avoids our hands by over and/or away. Anonymous - 2012-05-20 * he jumps away Charlie Roche - 2012-05-20 I thought very much he might be hand shy. That is why I said to start with your moms arm. If you can get the little one in your lap - it would be natural for him to climb up your arm to get on your shoulder. Just start by having him go up from one arm to the other. Right arm on top then left arm on top then right arm on top etc. Just a few times - saying step up. Another way is to pick him up off the floor - they (usually even if hand shy) will let you pick them up off the floor. Try using your arm to get him UP and off the bed etc. Anything to just start to get him used to your arm then your hand. A trainor would just literally grab the two feet and hold the one foot down with the thumb. So fast the amazon wouldn't even know it happened but not sure you want to try that. Think you have many months or years and it will happen much sooner than you think. Charlie Roche - 2012-05-20 Had another thought. When the bird flies to your moms shoulder, have your mom extend her arm with a little piece of chicken in her hands and see if the little guy will walk down her arm onto her hand. Chicken is good, tuna, macoroni (messy though) cheese -- Charlie Roche - 2012-05-22 Yeah honest all of mine love chicken. They also love pizza, french friens (real treat), tuna, speghetti - pretty much anything I eat but really love chicken. Never thought about the cannibal aspect - oh well. lol Max - 2012-05-22 Your bird eats chicken! Lol a cannibal! I tried feeding mine but he wouldn't go for it! Reply

Luis - 2010-11-20 I was given a blue front amazon parrot 3 days ago by someone who didn't care for it correctly. The bird is very aggressive. How do I deal with it's aggressive state? I want to gain it's trust. I attempted to handle it with a glove, this made the bird very angry towards the glove, it acted as if it had a negative experience with gloves. Maybe mistreated. I fed it with my bare hands this morning without any problems, but I'm afraid it may get aggressive and bite me. I need some info on how to deal with it. I would like to handle the bird with trust, not with fear of being bitten. \'HP\' - 2010-12-30 I had the same problem when I got "Capt. Morgan" - male BF Amazon. Of all the things I did, I think that keeping to a schedule of feeding him at the same time I made my meals for several weeks really seemed to help. It actually changed my diet (lot less fast foods and many more veggies, fruits, pastas & nuts) I prepared meals that included food for Morgan. For example, we both love Honey Nut Cheerios with milk over the cereal. I spoon up some cheerios and milk and he will gobble 7 - 10 of them down and finish with a small drink of the milk in the bowl. I often have a Sub-Way salad for lunch (their BMT salad) and Morgan shares the pepperoni, ham, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce & cheese with me. And his favorite pasta dish? Spicy spaghetti sauce with some meat and using the wide/flat noodles so he can grasp better. I filter in other things like corn, lima beans, green beans and carrots. (All bought frozen and a small amount tossed into the micro wave just enough to warm up). NOTE: I used a plastic spoon to feed him bites from my plate at first. Eventually I began to prepare his food in a round metal bowl. (Don't leave 'wet' foods out for more than a couple of hours. Bacteria can start to grow & can lead to tummy problems) I will leave 'skinned' items such as grapes or cherry tomatoes out all day along with the pellet and seed foods. I also began asking Morgan "You want Some?" When offering food. It only took a couple of weeks before he was significantly trusting me. Good Luck. P.S. Have someone trim his beak back a bit more than normal (meaning remove all sharp edges - top & bottom. This way if he does 'get you', chances are lessened that a bite will break your skin. Also, if he does bite, don't flinch if you can help it. My response to a bite (or bite attempt) was to immediately toss a small towel over him, covering his head, and while holding him down on a cushioned chair seat, I would say sternly "Bad Bird" four times and then release him and walk away. This said, also Note that for EVERY good thing he does, I clap my hands a couple of times and say 'Good Boy" (Some trainers suggest using a clicker) Mary - 2011-03-22 Good luck that is why I'm here, but as I told the other lady, have patience, go Slow, use treats, give him wood to chew on But big wooden toys to got out the frustrations also small rawhide dog bones; he won't eat it but will enjoy untying it. I have found that reading about body language in a book at the pet store helped a lot it said to approach when the feathers are fluffed, like when he/she is preening, Go Slow. Don't try when the feathers are flat against the body. Mine likes people food for a treat. Fruit, I like watching him with grapes and shredded wheat. Loose the gloves try also petkeeping with Marc Morrone. Charlie Roche - 2011-06-18 Most PET birds are extremely afraid of gloves. Many are also afraid of hats. I think it just changes the appearance and they don't understand and they react with fear. You can feed your little guy with your bare hand and that is a big step. Now you just need him to follow your hand away from his cage and onto a perch, table, sofa anything that is not his cage territory. Feed him with your hand and eventually let him just take the food out of your palm with the palm resting in your lap. Then go to holding the food in your left hand and ask him to "UP" onto your right so he can reach the treat. Just go slow. If anything can tell you are afraid -- it is a bird. They sense you are afraid and they don't know what is wrong so they become afriad. It is a circle. Yes you can get bit - it happens. The worse bite I ever had was from my 3 year old child. I have had birds (big guys) for 25 or more years and haven't been bit and yes I play with them. I had a bird in a pet store attack me and bite and it hurts but not as bad as hitting your hand with a hammer or stubbing your toe. Just go slow and learn his body language. Talk lots of talking or singing. Be patient. They can be agrssive but their body language is very obvious and you can twll. Head down, feathers smoothe, eyes going in and out. Leave him alone - does not want to play. Head up, relaxed feathers, eyes seeing you he is relaxed and not afraid. Izzy - 2011-06-18 It would be best to learn amazon body language. Male blue fronted amazons are very aggressive at times and have mood swings. Do not show the bird that you are scared. Earning trust takes a long time, but you can build trust with patience and food! lol Find out what his favorite treat is and try to give him that treat more often. Talk to him...They are very social birds and love attention. Most people forget how intelligent parrots are...Talk to them in a gentle voice and give them a treat. When he feels more comfortable with you the body language will show it. fluffed feathers and relaxed posture is usually a sign. Getting bitten may happen...a firm no will teach him that biting is not ok. Just give it time and you will have a parrot that loves you to pieces. :) Derrick - 2011-08-03 On the contrary, Amazons have a painful bite. I learned quite literally first hand. The body language was ruffled and dilating eyes along with a clicking sound when my index was getting squeezed hard enough to cause a hairline fracture. Also,it was a male amazon,and we were clipping his claws,or more accuratly,daggers. Reply

Jan - 2012-02-14 I have two (a male and a female) Blue Fronted Amazons, which I would like to breed. They are at least 5 years old now, I got them as seemingly matured birds 4 years ago. The female lays eggs (5-6 at a time), and sit on it, but they never hatch, and then she throws them out after about two months. This happened now 4 or 5 times. Their cage is big - 6m x 5m x 6m and their are no other birds in it. What could be the problem? Charlie Roche - 2012-02-14 I doubt you have a male and a female. I believe you have two females. Amazons, I have never known them to have more than 2 - 3 eggs in a clutch - which doesn't mean I am correct but just never known it to happen and bred blue fronts. Two females are not going to have fertile eggs but they will actually lay eggs at the same time but obviously doublt the normal amount. You should DNA sex them and the kits can be purchased directly from labs advertised in the back of Bird Talk. You should be able to visually tell to some extent by the shape of their heads. The male head is flatter while the female head is a curved rounded slope from eye to back of the head. But I am really pretty sure you have two females. Sorry - but all you need now are two boys. Reply

Diana - 2012-02-04 I got a male and female (dna'd) blue fronted amazon parrots, they are about 11 years old. The previous owner said that they do not get along and I (enventually) would like to breed them if possible. I let them out of their separate cages during the day and sometimes they will fight and sometimes they will groom each other, don't really know what the deal is with them. At night I put them in separtate cages cause I'm afraid that they will hurt each other. The female is really gentle (with me) she gives kisses and steps up pretty easily, the male is a little more aggressive but will step up and sometimes lets me scratch his head if the female is nowhere near him. I am not really sure how long these guys have been together or if they ever have been, when I picked them up, they were in separate cages. I guess my question is, will they ever bond? Should I keep doing what I'm doing and letting them together during the day and separating them at night. Charlie Roche - 2012-02-05 I don't know if there is a right/wrong answer to this question. However, this is working for you and it is working for them so it is what i would keep doing. I have heard many time, if you don't want them to 'do it' or completely bond with each other and not you - have them in separate cages at night. Woman in NJ had two Amazons and they each had their own cage and there was a large perch between the cages. Each day they would come out and play or argue and play again and each night they would go back to their own cages. The little girl had her first egg on her human mom's bed pillow and mom put it in a nest box and she had the 2nd and 3rd egg there and they were fertile and they hatched and they were fed. I had Panamas and they had their own cage but he broke into hers but gee it took him about 20 years. Both remained pets and with their own cage. Once in awhile he would break in, obviously, in the spring. Jim - 2012-02-05 It probably happens most of the time untill they get to know each other well if they ever do. I had a pair somewhere about 7 to 8 years ago and they did not get along at the beggining but after a couple years they were bonding to the point that you could see each other scratching ecah others head. Believe me it will take a while but they will in most cases. Know i have anotherone that just got 02/04/2012 and he is robust; stocky but i bought him first and within a few weeks will buy his mate. Good Luck!!! Jim - 2012-02-05 It probably happens most of the time untill they get to know each other well if they ever do. I had a pair somewhere about 7 to 8 years ago and they did not get along at the beggining but after a couple years they were bonding to the point that you could see each other scratching ecah others head. Believe me it will take a while but they will in most cases. Know i have anotherone that just got 02/04/2012 and he is robust; stocky but i bought him first and within a few weeks will buy his mate. Good Luck!!! Jim - 2012-02-05 It probably happens most of the time untill they get to know each other well if they ever do. I had a pair somewhere about 7 to 8 years ago and they did not get along at the beggining but after a couple years they were bonding to the point that you could see each other scratching ecah others head. Believe me it will take a while but they will in most cases. Know i have anotherone that just got 02/04/2012 and he is robust; stocky but i bought him first and within a few weeks will buy his mate. Good Luck!!! Reply

Brian - 2008-03-03 I just got my second BFA about 3 months ago and I'm so happy that my first one has a companion. I got Toby 9 years ago and is about 15 years old. It only likes me and no one else. But ever since it bit me I have been scared to hold it again, but I'm slowly getting it to come to my hand. Then I got Maya who just turned 9 months old. She's really cute. She also likes me so I lucked out in my family. When I come in she says "hello" and now I'm trying to teach it its name and mine as well. I have them in two separate cages and soon they will be together. I love these birds and wouldn't give them away for the world. Lucinda - 2012-01-01 Putting them in same cage is a bad idea they will bond and be hard to handle. Reply

Add your comment!

View all 56 comments on Blue-fronted Amazon

Back to Amazon Parrots