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Lilac-crowned AmazonFinsch's Amazon Family: Psittacidae
The Lilac-crowned Amazon or Finsch's Amazon is a very active little bird. It is one of the smaller amazons, but it makes up in energy what it lacks in size!The Lilac-crowned Amazon or Finsch's Amazon has been recognized for well over 100 years. It was documented as early as 1864 by Dr. Otto Finsch, who wrote well over 400 works on ornithology. This amazon is named for him. This dynamic little amazon is a fair talker and makes a fine pet. But though the Lilac-crowned Amazon is affectionate and clever, it is also very lively. It needs lots of activities and will do best spending a good portion of its time outside of its cage where it can climb, play, and fly for exercise. They do very well in an aviary which gives them more room on a regular basis. Like most amazons they are very social, enjoying the companionship of people as well as other amazons. They make a wonderful companion and will quickly form a strong bond with their owner. For more information about the care of Amazon parrots see:
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Subspecies: Amazona finschi finschi
Amazona finschi woodi
Distribution:
These birds are native to western Mexico and inhabit wooded
foothills and mountains, plains, grain fields, and banana plantations.
Description:
The Lilac-crowned Amazon or Finsch's Amazon has green plumage
though more yellow on the underparts. The feathers of the neck and upper
sides are edged in black giving it a scalloped appearance that resembles
an African Gray. The forehead and lores back to the eyes are a red brown.
There is a blue mauve on the crown and neck making a half moon shape around
the cheeks, which are a yellowish-green. The outer feathers of the wings
are edged in a violet blue, there is a red speculum, and the tail is tipped
with a yellow-green. The eye is orange, the beak is horn-colored, and
the legs are greenish-gray.
Juveniles are similar to the adults but their eyes are dark
brown.
Size - Weight:
Mature birds are about 13 inches (33 cm) long from the head to
the tip of the tail.
Care and feeding:
A roomy cage is required and because these amazons are very
active, they need to spend a good deal of their time outside of their
cage or be housed in an aviary.
In the wild these birds eat fruits (they are especially
fond of figs), seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms, corn, and bananas. The
Amazon's main diet should primarily be seeds, nuts, fruits, and green
vegetables. A commercially prepared parrot mix or pelleted diet can also
be beneficial.
See About Amazon Parrots: Housing and About Amazon Parrots: Care and Feeding for more information.
Social Behaviors:
Amazons enjoy human interaction as well as interaction with
other birds. In the wild they are very social birds living in groups.
They are seen flocks of two or three hundred birds, except during breeding
season. They also form permanent pairs when they are sexually mature.
See About Amazon Parrots: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded Amazon.
Activities:
Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys. Also
needs room to stretch its wings although climbing seems to be its favorite
activity.
Breeding/Reproduction:
These amazons are commonly bred in captivity. At the onset
of warm weather (April to early May) courtship will begin. The hen will
then lay three eggs which incubate for about 26 - 28 days. The young will
leave the nest at about 8 weeks. As with many parrots, the male will eat
for both himself and the female while she incubates the eggs and feeds
the young. The male regurgitates the food for the female to eat. He gets
a lot less picky about what he eats at these times!
See About Amazon Parrots: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.
Potential Problems:
These birds are hardy and healthy if provided with a good environment
and a good diet. Amazons can be noisy first thing in the morning, and
just before the sun sets. This is easy to control, they can often be quieted
by just covering their cage for a short period of time.
See About Amazon Parrots: Potential Problems for information on health.
Availability: Readily available.
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Comments from people who have kept this pet:
I have a 12 year old male lilac crowned amazon, and he is definately a one person bird, I am not certain of his past. He is very sweet, affectionate and even-tempered with me, but to everyone else, he tends to be very aggresive. He never bites me, and he loves to sit on my arm or shoulder and cuddle with me or take naps. He also loves to share (healthy) food with me, and he is a enthusiastic healthy eater. He is also very quiet, usually just making his "jungle noises", he only screeches when he hears me come home from work. He is a very enjoyable companion, Im very happy i decided to adopt him.
this is our first experience with a amazon. we learn everyday something new everyday. i have found that s/he likes to be next to my cockietiel(spelling) and is happy to talk to him. s/he is just a year old and already saying a few things that s/he learned from moe the cockietel. if we don't talk to him when coming in he will squawk until we do. he has to be the center of attention. robin
Fido moved in with me 22 years ago and is still just as energetic as s/he was as an infant. This bird never bites, and exhibits a remarkably even-tempered, companionable disposition. S/he seems happiest when perched on my shoulder, snuggling into my cheek, or exploring around the home (preferring to walk rather than fly). If you put in the time to be this bird's friend you will be richly rewarded. However, LCA's have a bellowing screech that belies their small size, which Fido reserves for when s/he decides that less-intrusive bids for attention are not achieving the desired result.
Some of the coolest comments:
I lived with a Lilac Crown for 20 years. Harry was incredibly clever, and the most affectionate parrot I ever met. He never got aggressive, even in breeding season - just very, very amorous! He tolerated a large family, was learning constantly throughout his life, and was in all ways the most marvellous animal I ever shared my life with. I recommend the LCA for anyone who wants an affectionate parrot.
Author: Clarice Brough, CAS.
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