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Yellow-naped Amazon

Golden Yellow-naped Amazon Family: Psittacidae

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Amazona auropalliata Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy: Lisa

   The Yellow-naped Amazon has just about the best reputation a bird can have as a pet and a wonderful companion.

The Yellow-naped Amazon, also known as the Golden Yellow-naped Amazon has been kept as a pet for over 100 years! They were described as early as 1842 as being kept by the Central American Indians because of their pleasing personalities. They are the ultimate in affection, clever and obedient, and gentle. They actually think of themselves as "little people"!

   As is true with all Amazons, they are very social and enjoy the company of people as well as other birds. They will form very strong bonds with their owner, becoming fast friends and exhibit total confidence. Miss Evan shown below, is enjoying her special person - 'Jack'.

   This bird is considered to be an excellent all around bird. The Yellow-naped Amazon is very popular as a great pet and can be one of the better talkers. Besides being quite intelligent which makes them easy to tame and train, they are very fun and affectionate. They are also a hardy robust bird and can do well in either a cage or an aviary.

For more information about the care of Amazon parrots see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Amazon Parrot.

Scientific Name:Amazona auropalliata
(Previously: Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata)

Subspecies:

• Amazona auropalliata
• Amazona auropalliata parvipes

Distribution:
   These birds are found in the Honduras, Guatamala, El Salvador, and Mexico. They inhabit open woodlands, forests, and the tropical zones.

Description:
    The Yellow-naped Amazon or Golden Yellow-naped Amazon is green from head to tail, with the underparts a bit lighter green, and the tip of the tail being a light yellowish-green. They get their name from having a bright yellow patch about the size of a quarter on the nape of their neck, though this doesn't actually begin to develop until they are about a year old. Some will also have a small yellow spot on their forehead. There are some black hairs in the cere and the beak is mixture of black and horn color. The eye is orange and the feet are gray with black nails.
   Juveniles lack the yellow marking on the nape of the neck.

Size - Weight:
  Mature birds are a fairly large , about 14 inches (35 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 either in pairs or flocks, from small groups to 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 8-12 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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Latest Comments
Parrots are not pets in the traditional sense, like a dog or a cat. They are not domesticated animals. They are identical genetically to their wild counter parts. They are wild animals. They are going to be naturally noisy during certain times of the day. They bond with their humans, and consider them to be their "flock leaders." They are going to be loud, messy, and a little nippy from time to time. If you are unwilling to accept these facts, you should not be parrot owner. I have had my yellow naped Amazon Clyde for 17 years, since the day he was born. I got him from a breeder and learned so much from her on the "do's and don'ts" of parrot ownership. He is the joy of my life, and I feel thankful for him every day. He rarely nips, will go to other people, and when he gets a little too loud, I start calling out his favorite words and he settles down. Parrots are special creaures for special people. For true animal lovers. They need a little more understanding then a dog or a cat, or even a goldfish. tim 2009-06-18
I have owned my yellow nape for all of his 17 years. Clyde is loud, parrots ARE loud, especially in the morning when we are waking up together. As I go about my morning routine getting ready for work, I yell out a few of his favorite words and call back back and forth to each other. He has bitten me a couple of times. But, I deserved it. It was times when he wanted to be left alone and I didn't notice his body language. By the way, I live on the 5th floor of a condo complex in downtown Denver. A parrot is a wild animal, not a domesticated pet like a dog or a cat. You must allow for the wild instincts, such as calling out to its flock occasionally, if you are going to share your home with one of these amazing creatures. Only true animal lovers should ever be lucky enough to be "owned" by a parrot. Tim Calahan 2009-06-17
To Ross: You mustn't be a true animal lover. Yes they can be loud. Yes they can bite. IT'S A PARROT! I've had my nape for 18 of her 22 years. I'm definately hers, but she goes to my son with just a warning from him. Don't you know there are exceptions to every rule. I think the bird knows you don't like him. All animals can sense things people can't. I'm glad the bird is away from you. ellie 2009-06-02
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. ross 2009-05-10
Update on Ginger, our bird of 32 years. He didn't make it. He passed away this morning. We had a very good Vet and if he could be saved I'm sure this vet would have done it. The Vet just moved to Columbus, Ohio from Westminster, CA and also teaches at Ohio State. It's difficult to find doctor's just for birds so if you have a wonderful pet bird make sure you get one lined up just in case. Lot's of vets treat birds but not all can really handle extreme emergencies. Gina Donnelly 2008-09-26
Some of the coolest comments:
This goes back to the days of sailing ships... In 1919 my grandfather got a yellow-naped from a Boston friend who in turn got it in South America. He saw them himself when he was in SA himself. They have no idea how old he was, but he was a talker even then. He had his likes and dislikes. He kept in good health, until he died at the same time my grandmother passed away in 1974. I know that this was a long time ago, but I thought it might be of some interest... GEORGE READ 2007-08-28
Despite how wonderful this site is, not all of the YNA's traits have been discussed. The biggest thing is that while there are YNAs that enjoy the whole family, it is also extremely common for them to bond to ONE person, which causes friction in a household if there are other people there. For instance, my YNA has bonded to my boyfriend, and so now I can't go near the bird at all, or else I'll get bitten. The bird was originally my sister's (she now has a kid and so I'm taking care of the bird), and it was the same when she got married and her husband moved in. The parrot bonded to her husband, and would get nippy with my sister. I would be wary of this species if you have kids or if you're a new owner. Their bites can be extremely painful and can cause serious damage. Also, since they're some of the best talkers of the parrots, their natural tendancy is to be loud. There may be those who only scream at night or in the morning, but there are also a lot that scream whenever they're not getting what they want (which is usually attention). And it's not like a little squeak, it's extrenely obnoxious and can really hurt your ears. So yeah--there are some things about YNAs that are wonderful, and they are very entertaining and talented, but before getting one just remember that it's not going to be unicorns and rainbows all the time. Allison 2007-08-18
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I'm from Saudi Arabia, and I decide to buy a yellow napped next week after I read your encyclopedia article. hattem mansour 2007-02-12

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS.