White-fronted AmazonSpectacled Amazon ~ White-browed Amazon

Scientific Name:Amazona albifrons

Distribution:      These birds range from Mexico to western Costa Rico in Central America and inhabit dry bushy areas or deciduous forests.

Description:       The White-fronted Amazon or Spectacled Amazon has green plumage with a white to yellowish-white forehead and the crown is a greenish-blue. The lores are a bright red that extends back around the eyes. The outer feathers of the wings are edged in a red on the male (but not on the female) and there is a red speculum. The eye is yellowish surrounded by an unfeathered gray-white ring. The beak is yellowish and the legs are a bright gray.      Juveniles have less red on the head and none on the wing edge, the forehead is yellowish, their eyes are darker.

Size - Weight:    Mature birds are the smallest of all the amazon, reaching about 10 inches (27 cm) long from the head to the tip of the tail.

Care and feeding:       A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend a good deal of their time on a play pen or parrot perch.       In the wild these birds eat fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms and leaf buds, as well as foraging in corn fields. 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 in flocks, generally in small groups of up to about 20 birds, but occasionally in groups of several hundred birds. 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 to four eggs which incubate for about 26 - 28 days. The young will leave the nest at about 7 - 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.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS.