The Lilac Crowned Amazon: A Beautiful and Talkative Parrot Species
- VIParrot
- February 7, 2023
- 4:04 pm
Species Overview
Also Known As: Finsch’s Amazon
Scientific Name: Amazona finsch
Adult Size: 13 inches
Life Expectancy: ~60 years
Is The Lilac Crowned Amazon a good pet?
- Intelligent, friendly and very charming
- Amazing green colored plumage with a Lilac crown
- Can be fair talkers if socialized and trained correctly
- Can develop a deep bond with all family members if socialized correctly
- If not socialized they can become depressed and exhibit destructive behaviour and declining health
- Requires regular upkeep on hygiene to maintain feather health
General Information
The Lilac-crowned Amazon, or Finsch’s Amazon is native to Mexico. This parrots beautiful plumage features a primarily green body, maroon forehead, and violet-blue crown. The beak is bone colored and the feet flesh colored.
Lilac-crowned Amazons make good companions for experienced bird lovers. They are intelligent, friendly and very charming. Like all companion birds they require socialization throughout their lives. Parrots that do not get the proper socialization and attention can become depressed and display destructive behavior as well as possible declining health that can result in illness and even death. Everyone in the family should spend time with the bird. Lilac-crowned Amazons will form bonds with all family members if socialized properly.
Lilac-crowned Amazons are fair talkers. Like all parrots they have the ability to talk. Some parrots choose to talk. Some choose not to. The best way to encourage your bird to talk is by talking to them often and including them in activities.
Lilac-crowned Amazons are prolific chewers and wonderful acrobats. They require lots of wood to chew on, swings and toys that they can hang from. Rotated your bird’s toys often to prevent boredom and encourage play. This is important to their mental health as well as keeping a healthily trimmed beak.
A minimum of 4 hours outside of his or her cage a day is a must for these parrots. Amazons can tend toward obesity and require daily exercise. We suggest taking your parrot with you from room to room. Parrot play stands are an excellent way to do this.
A good UV light or adequate time in the natural sunlight are strongly suggested for feather health as well as the mental health of all parrots.
Bathing at least once a week is suggested for feather health. There are several ways to bathe your parrot. I take my parrots in the shower with me (make sure the water is cold or luke warm!). You can give them a shallow bowl of water or mist them with a water bottle. Make sure to keep them from drafts after bathing until they are completely dry. Bathing should be encouraged from the beginning so your Amazon can be happy and joyful with this necessary ritual. They also average about 60 years of age with proper care, so if you chose this bird be sure you’re ready for the commitment!
What food do they eat?
The Lilac Crowned Amazon needs a high quality pelleted diet, with some seed mix and fruits and veggies daily. Always remember to offer food and water in fresh clean bowls every day.
Price
They can be rescued, adopted, or purchased at verified organizations or adoption websites like Petfinder. Pricing is usually around $1,800.
If you want to choose a breeder, make sure that the breeder is reputable by asking them how long they’ve been breeding and working with Amazons. Ask for a tour, but don’t be alarmed if you are unable to tour the facilities in which they keep the birds. Many reputable breeders opt to work under closed aviaries, which prevents diseases from infecting the flock.
How big are Lilac Crowned Amazons?
The Lilac Crowned Amazon is about 13 inches from beak to tail. So the correct cage or perch area set up for this bird and all of its friends is really important to keep them happy.
Temperament
Lilac Crowned Amazons can be loud and should be allowed to be so. In nature parrots communicate by calling out. They also relieve stress and warn of danger this way. You should expect your bird to be noisy in the morning and evening. This normal calling usually lasts 10 minutes or so. Of course there is normal screaming calls and problem screaming that are just apart of this Amazons daily routine.
Common Diseases
– Obesity
– Upper respiratory diseases
– Vitamin A deficiency
– Psittacosis
– Bacterial, viral and fungal infections
– Foot mutilation
– Toe constrictions or malformations
– Feather picking
– Tumors
– Toxins
