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Yellow-naped Amazon

Golden Yellow-naped Amazon

Family: PsittacidaeAmazona auropalliataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy: Lisa

   The Yellow-naped Amazon has just about the best reputation a pet bird can have!

   The Yellow-naped Amazon Amazona auropalliata, is also known as the Golden Yellow-naped Amazon. This Amazon parrot has been kept as a pet for over 100 years. As early as 1842 they were reported 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"!

   This Amazon is mostly a green birds, but gets its name from a bright yellow patch that develops on the nape of the neck. The Golden Yellow-naped Amazon is very similar to several other Amazon species that also develop yellow markings. One of these very popular Amazons is the Double Yellow-headed Amazon Amazona oratrix. Its entire head rather than just the nape becomes yellow. Another is the the Yellow-crowned Amazon Amazona ochrocepha that develops a patch of yellow the crown.

   When they are young it is difficult to tell any of these yellow marked Amazons apart. The yellow markings develop as they age over a period of about four years. Besides color there are some other differences between these parrots. They differ from each other in things like body size, temperament, and talking ability. It's important to know which Amazon you are getting so you know what to expect.

   The Yellow-naped Amazon is considered to be an excellent all around bird. It 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. This pet parrot is very social and enjoys 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. They are also a hardy robust bird and can do well in either a cage or an aviary.

   "Mia (seen above) is quite a singer! She uses sentences appropriately such as "What's up?" when you come in to greet her. She is an absolute joy, and she will let anyone take her OUT of her cage. On top of all this, she is drop dead gorgeous, and she knows it"... Lisa. To learn more about Mia, visit: "Mia, The Yellow-naped Amazon"

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
  

   More recently the birds in the ochrocephala group have been under review, with some classification adjustments being made. In in 1991, a recommendation to reclassify this group was made by the Committee on Classification and Nomenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union. This has resulted in the Amazona ochrocephela now being identified as the Yellow-crowned Amazon only. The Yellow-naped Amazon is now described as Amazona auropalliata, and the Yellow-headed Amazon is now Amazona Oratrix.

Distribution   The Yellow-naped Amazon Amazona auropalliata was first described by Lesson in 1842. They are also known as the Golden Yellow-naped Amazon. They are found in the Honduras, Guatamala, El Salvador, and Mexico. In the wild they live in pairs or flocks, from small groups to groups of several hundred birds. They live in tropical zones and inhabit woodlands, forests, where they feed on fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, and the blossoms and leafy buds of foliage.

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

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. Some will also have a small yellow spot on their forehead. There are some black hairs in the cere. 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. Their yellow patch doesn't actually begin to develop until they are about a year old, and then it takes up to about four years of molting to be fully colored. Mutations can occur naturally with this Amazon. A blue mutation Yellow-Naped Amazon is one of the most extraordinary mutations, and though rare, are occasionally see in the pet market.

   Yellow-naped Amazons are rather heavy bodied though a bit smaller than the Double Yellow-headed Amazons. Mature birds are about about 14 inches (35 cm) long from the head to the tip of the tail. They reach maturity at about the 4 - 5 year range with a lifespan of 60 - 80 years.

Care and feeding    In the wild, the diet of the Golden Yellow-naped Amazon 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. Pellets will work if started at an early age.

   Plenty of human food that is nutritious can be offered, and they like chicken. They like to eat at the table and enjoy eating with their family. Avocado and chocolate are toxic to any parrot. They will let you know when it's dinner time.

Housing   A roomy cage is required for the Yellow-naped Amazon. Amazon cages must not be too confining, so get one that your pet will be able to feel comfortable in, preferable one with a playpen on top. There cage is their territory and 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.

   Amazon 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   This Amazon enjoys 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.

   If you are looking for a quiet bird, an amazon is not for you. It is a highly social bird who loves human companionship and loves to play. They will learn tricks and look forward to interaction and games. The Yellow-naped Amazon will provide you with many fun moments and a lot of laughter.

Handling/Training   The Yellow-naped Amazon will adapt rapidly, quickly becoming accustomed to a new environment and its keeper. It 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 Yellow-fronted Parrot see: Amazon Parrot Care: Handling and Training

Activities   The Golden Yellow-naped Amazon loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys. It also needs room to stretch its wings, and climbing is one of its favorite activities. A hanging perch is great, as well as a moveable perch that can follow you around the house. This parrot is an active bird and needs plenty of toys. This Amazon likes to play, loves to wrangle with toys, and is quite an acrobat. They entertain themselves quite well and you will enjoy it.

Sexing - Sexual Differences   Yellow-naped 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. They must be mature, 4 - 5 years of age. 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.

  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!

Potential Problems    In the wild, amazons will call out to each other first thing in the morning and then again as the sun is setting. So early in the morning your Golden Yellow-naped Amazon will be calling for you and he will warn you when the sun sets that it's bed time. These two periods of the day, which usually last about 10 minutes, can be a little noisy with an Amazon. 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 Yellow-naped Amazon 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   The Yellow-naped Amazon is 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
• Werner and Susanne Lantermann, Amazon Parrots, Barron's Educational Series, Inc. 1988
• Arthur Freud, All About The Parrots, Howell Book House, 1986
• Howard Voren, Blue Mutation Yellow-Naped Amazon, Voren's Aviaries, Inc., Advancement of Psittacultural Science
• Joanie Doss, Amazon FAQ , Up at Six, Last Revised: Sunday, 20-Jul-2008

Author: Clarice Brough CAS

Lastest Comments on Yellow-naped Amazon View all 45 comments on Yellow-naped Amazon Add Your Comment

elaine - 2012-05-13 I inherited my yellow naped amazon last yr, but have interacted with her for about 5 yrs. No one knew for sure if she was male or female but we all assumed she was a she..well Baby is about 25yrs old and she just night before last laid her very first egg...she is so in love with me, my husband says she loves him also but shes in love with me...did that cause her to lay an egg after all this time..I do spend all day with her and we are very close and hands on, she wouldnt allow her former owner to do any of the things we do with her. She allows me to hold her upside down and she has bitten me many times...I just keep on with her and even tho it HURTS I just keep at her...I took the egg away and put it up and she doesnt seem to miss it..what would have caused her to lay an egg after all this time? Reply

jose a - 2012-03-19 Hello everyone i have a 15 year old yellow naped amazon I just got it 6 months ago from a shelter guy and that he was selling the bird so I buy him and he doesn't wanna talk or say a word. I try everthing to teach him some world in the last 6 months but still he doesn't repeat anything. Can someone give me a answer to what I can do so he can learn how to talk. Charlie Roche - 2012-03-20 How about we start with just communication. You make the sounds or repeat the sounds your feathered guy is saying. He may talk or maybe no one ever talked to him so he doesn't. Let's give him an idea of what it is. When he makes sound - you try and make the same sound back and say 'good boy' When he makes a sound - you repeat the sound and say 'HI' etc. Try that. Try to make sense with him. If you just say 'want a cookie' and there is no cookie - that doesn't make sense. But if you say 'do you want chicken and you have chicken - that does make sense. Start by communicating and making his sounds - then just talk and sing and see what sounds he likes to make. kathy wood - 2012-03-21 I have had a yellow nape for 15 years. When I got him he was 15 years old. He says alot of words none that I taught him. Last week he said hi Bart hi Bartie thats the dog I got 2 years ago. You never know good luck. Reply

CJ Mauch - 2010-04-07 Hello to everyone, I purchased my yellow nape when he was an egg. His name is Stubby. Do to a flying accident from his early years he lost a nail. It took a few weeks before I could hold him without gloves. For 20 years, we were pals. He loved the dogs, cats and the 3 of the 4 kids. He would drive in the car, ride in the hood of my sweat shirt. My daughter would get in his cage with him. I remarried about 9 yrs ago and my husband soon became disabled and does not work and is home all day. I cannot even walk in front of his cage without him trying to attack. The only one that can touch him is my husband. If he has him out of the cage and I come near the room he will bite my husband. My daughter now 27 can not even come in the house if the cage is open. He is 25 yrs old now, does anyone know if he can become friendly. Oh I meant to add he will let me feed him on the weekends that I make him pancakes, the only time I can put my hand in the cage. H. W. McDaniel - 2010-04-08 We are the owners of a Yellow-naped Amazon. She was virtually abandoned to live with chickens. My wife and I have made it a firm rule to spend equal time with her. We are both retired, live in Hawaii where Babe can be outside all the time. We carry her about while doing yard chores or leave her in a tree. She loves us both equally which surprised us after hearing the tales of spouse abuse. On the other hand, one or the other of us spend most of our day with her, reading on the deck or whatever. She will bite me when strangers come in and she gets too excited. And, she takes immediate likes or dislikes to people. We have made another rule to have her in her cage when folks drop by. I can only suggest that you start spending time with Stubby; even if it is only in the same room. Take it slow. I always let Babe make her overtures. Curtailing your husband's time with him might be of some help. I have found that expressing disapproval by tone of voice is helpful in stopping unwanted behavior. We seriously considered renaming Babe 'Chainsaw' after some demolition work on the deck but now things have mellowed out. Spring still brings on some ripping and tearing, tho'. Katherain Smith - 2010-10-30 My husband has had a yellow nape for 25 years. He takes him out of his cage regularly and plays with him giving him lots of attention with me in the room. I stay at home and have tried to become Charlie's (the amazon) friend too......but....bad move. I handed him a cheerio which we give him occasionally for a treat. He threw it out of the cage. I thought, "Oh, he must have dropped it!" Duh. I tried again and again and the exact same thing happened. The last time he took a "hunk" of my finger. This is going to sound as if I'm talking about a person.....He is very opinionated, likes certain foods one day and not another. He adores my husband eventhough I'm with him all day, clean his cage (carefully) and Charlie is virtually silent until my husband gets home from work. When I'm close to the cage, he stalks me, growls, makes a barking sound and follows me around as I clean up and change the papers. He adores my husband who puts him on his shoulders, hangs him upside down, spreads his wings, plays and talks with him and the bird adores him. If he gets loud and my husband walks towards him to lightly tap him on his claw he immediately makes this sound as if he is being strangled. It is hilarious. My husband had him for years before I came along but I just wanted to warn others...no matter how nice you are sometimes the amazons seem to be bound to one individual. So watch out. Oh, this bird was raised with the children and as soon as he matured began aggressive behavior. I've done everything to try and win him as a friend....no luck! I feel like putting up a sign..."BEWARE, BIRD IN THE HOUSE!" I enjoy all of the comments. Thank you. Reading them has made me feel better about myself. I thought there was something wrong with me and I was getting a real complex. Thank again. Kathy Anonymous - 2010-12-17 My reply is to Katherain Smith.... you need to know that yellow nape amazons bond with only one person. No matter how hard you try to relate, that bird will be bonded to only one person and feel threatened by anyone else. Just accept it. BWT.... is he really your "husband"...? amy - 2010-12-22 Why would one want such a pet? To each his own! Like owning fish. Glenn Smith - 2012-02-23 What kinda crazy birds do you people have lol. My yellow napped is very social and mostly loves men. Loves attention and talks a little too much. All in all, he/she is the perfect friend to me and very happy to have him or her. Charlie Roche - 2012-02-24 Many amazons, more frequently than not, will pair bond with one particular human. This one has with your husband and feels she (probably a gal) has to protect your husband from all others. If you get to close to your husband - yes, the bird will bite the husband in displaced possessiveness. The gal is your husbands bird and keeps him company - let him just be your husbands bird. The behavior is usually worse when spring is coming (breeding season) and might get a little better when summer comes. You could get yourself a little conure - some other bird that you love. Reply

Ronda - 2011-01-19 I have a pair of yellow-napes, that have given me many babies in the past 10 yrs. the female lays 3 eggs, and up until 2 yrs yrs. ago I would take the babies from the nest and I always found a buyer, who then would hand feed them. LAST YEAR ONCE AGAIN SHE OR HE OR BOTH ATE THE BABY. Does anyone know why this would happen? My birds are about 23 yrs. old and I feed them exact pellets and have all these yrs. Can anyone help me? Thanks so much. Charlie Roche - 2011-08-18 Stuff happens. I am not sure what I am writing is 100% true but I have heard this and I have been there and it makes sense. Many birds will have two eggs but feed only one baby. The second egg is insurance. Birds can sense if food source is short or if danger and will kill the young if they don't feel they can feed or care for it. Weather is wreaking havov with many breeders and no eggs or eating eggs seems to be occuring more frequently this year - again based on what I am being told. Also, pellets do change their formula to make it OK for international or overseas. If birds are having babies, I used to do everything to feed everything. Yes, peanut butter, manu, calcium, scrabled eggs, macoroni and cheese. They loved it. I would not count on formulas or pellets providing a complete nutricious feeding for birds --- Birds eat different and one size fits all - No Amazons don't need certain things that macaws do and I realize the pellets are different but pellet formulas do change. My guess is maybe egg broke (accident)- in which case they would eat it. Baby they knew couldn't make it or something wrong or outside conditions weather / food However, there may be no reason at all. Unfortunately we just can't always ask them Charlie Roche - 2011-08-18 Sorry I wasn't totally clear - yes they will eat the baby same reasons as the egg. If those are reasons. Happens a lot with caiques. They have 5 eggs and will feed 2 maybe 3. The 3rd, 4th and 5th egg might hatch but either mom and dad eat them or the other babies throw them out or eat them. Could just be mine but I had about 20 pairs and unless I got the first two babies out and started hand feeding, I had no hope for the others. I think that is different reason then what you have happened here. Just told many times - parents know and then I am also concerned about all pellets. miriam - 2012-01-09 The bird has chosen him like a mate. Your husband needs to let you only handle him. Maybe once in awhile your husband to handle stubby. Reply

Taylor - 2011-12-29 Hi it have a Yellow-naped Amazon, I don't know how but he hurt his foot is there something I can do to help him strenghten it?? Charlie Roche - 2011-12-29 My guess is he will probably strengthen it on his own. It depends on what happened. If he sprained it - it should just be OK on its own. Even if he broke it - which I believe you would notice - there isn't much you can do and it will heal. If he is real young it will heal very quickly - older takes longer. If it is twisted or obviously broken you might want to think about a vet. I doubt there are many vets out there that would know what they are doing though abd avian vets (real ones) are pretty hard to find and that is what you would need. Probably be fine on its own though Reply

nick - 2011-06-02 As an expierence Nape owner (over 20 years), please think carefully before purchasing this parrot. Things to consider: 1) These are not good family pets. For those with a baby Nape or toddler Napes (2-3 years old or less), you may disagree, but wait till the sexually maturity of the bird begins. I probably did not get a bite that drew blood till he was about 4 years old (and have received, I am sure hundreds since, my hands are scarred) The Napes behavior will change and can be very aggressive even to the primary caretaker, depending on the birds hormonal changes. They would fit best into households with preferably no children or older children. A young child could be seriously hurt or scarred from an adult Nape. 2) Yellow Napes are endangered in their natural habitats. If you purchase a Nape, it should be from a reputable domestic breeder. There are many parrots that have been given up by their owners (consignment birds). Consider adopting one. 3) As much as I love my parrot, if I had to make the choice to do get him again, I would not. These birds are not really domesticated (only a few generations removed from the wild) and I am sure they would be happier in the wild. I am the only one in my family that my Nape tolerates. My wife and children are very freightened by him. Especially my 6 year old daughter who is terrified that my Nape will get her. It is not an ideal living situation for the Nape or my family. But I am trying to give him the best life I can, he has only bonded to me. 4) Please do not look at this bird for it's beauty and want to collect it. Chances are you will be sorry. Charlie Roche - 2011-06-03 I am not positive but pretty sure that most amazons become or turn into one person birds. However, I am also positive that many of the amazons may prefer one person but they will get along with other memebers of the family. The Napes and Double Yellow Heads can be quite jealous of anything they feel getting too close to their mate. The yellow shoulder, yellow face and even the little Panama may have a preference but are usually friends to all in the family. Not strangers though. I am sorry you are having this problem. Any thoughts on your part to finding Nape a mate and allowing him/her to breed? You can enjoy your fella with his mate and then you can enjoy the baby. Breeding is not terribly easy and can be quite frustrating but in some respects very rewarding. reese - 2011-06-05 I agree totally. I own one, have had him for 28 years. I think he is awesome but is a one man bird. He is totally a mans bird. He is aggressive and can nip me once in a while but not crazy like the above mans bird. He loves to play rough and loves attention only from me. I would not reccomend this bird to anyone Kathy - 2011-12-01 You are quite right. Why should any bird be in a cage? I have three parrots that have been given up by their original owners. No one wants a mature bird they are just not goods pets. I take care of the birds because no one else wants them and they can not be returned to the wild. I love them for the creatures they are not for the entertainment value. Reply

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