Amazon parrot

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Amazon parrots | image = amazon.parrot.750pix.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Psittaciformes | familia = Psittacidae | genus = Amazona | genus_authority = Lesson, 1830 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = Many, see text.
Reference: [1]
as of 2003-01-02 }}

An Amazon parrot is a large parrot of the genus Amazona native to the New World ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Most amazons are predominantly green, although the accenting colors can often be quite vivid and vary depend on the species. Amazons, like all parrots, are zygodactyl, having 4 toes on each foot - two front and two back. They feed primarily on nuts and fruits, supplemented by leafy matter.

Image:Yellow-naped-amazon.jpg Several amazon species are commonly kept as companion animals, including the Yellow-headed Parrot, Yellow-naped Parrot, and Blue-fronted Parrot.

Amazons are usually known for their exceptional vocal abilities, playfulness, and dexterity with their feet. They are very loyal, loving companions, and somewhat like having a two year old human child in ability and temperament for 50 plus years. However, some amazons are known to be aggressive (usually during their mating time) and they all require a lot of attention when kept as pets. Parrots require more attention and care than domesticated pets such as dogs or cats, and are not for the inexperienced bird owner. All parrots need a lot of stimulating activities to keep from being bored and terribly destructive to themselves and their surroundings. In particular, since Amazons are cavity nesters in the wild, their desire to chew wood is strong, and they need to be provided with destructible toys to satisfy this innate urge.

Classification

Note: the Amazona ochrocephala species historically contained many sub-species, such as auropalliata and oratrix. However, new taxonomic classification puts those in their own species.de:Amazonenpapageien fr:Amazone (oiseau) nl:Amazonepapegaai sv:Amazonpapegojor