Orange-winged Amazon

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment40–60 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Obesity · Respiratory issues · Feather plucking

The Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica) is the most widespread and numerous Amazon in the wild, found across the northern half of South America, and it is the one most often available captive-bred. At 340 to 470 grams it is noticeably smaller than the yellow-headed species, and its temperament is correspondingly easier: friendly, playful, adaptable and less prone to the extreme hormonal aggression that makes larger Amazons demanding. It is a reasonable talker rather than a great one, learning a solid vocabulary with clear diction but without the singing showmanship of an Oratrix. It is still an Amazon and still loud at dawn and dusk, and it still goes through a breeding-season mood change each year, just usually a milder one. Regular handling by more than one person, a light cycle of ten to twelve hours and no access to dark nest-like cavities keep the season uneventful. Give it a large cage, several hours out daily, hardwood to destroy and foraging puzzles to solve. The diet rule for all Amazons applies with full force here: a formulated pellet base with plenty of vegetables and dark leafy greens, and only small occasional amounts of seed, nuts and fruit. Obesity, fatty liver and atherosclerosis are what actually shorten pet Amazon lives, and they are almost entirely preventable. Weigh monthly, keep non-stick fumes, aerosols and smoke out of the air, and see an avian vet once a year for a check and bloodwork.

• How much activity does a Orange-winged Amazon need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Orange-winged Amazon need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Orange-winged Amazon need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Orange-winged Amazon a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Orange-winged Amazon live?

  40–60 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Orange-winged Amazon?

  Keep an eye out for Obesity, Respiratory issues, Feather plucking. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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