Mexican Red Headed Amazon 101: Everything You Need to Know About This Stunning Parrot

Mexican Red Headed Amazon Parrot

Species Overview

Also Known As: Green-cheeked Amazon, the red-crowned parrot

Scientific Name:  Amazona viridigenalis

Adult Size: 11-13 inches

Life Expectancy: Up to 80 years

Is The Mexican Red Headed Amazon a good pet?

CONS
  • Much more even temperament compared to other Amazons and so less prone to mood swings
  • Can be very affectionate and show lots of love to their human family
CONS
  • Needs a lot of space to spread its wings and play around
  • Can get obese if not properly looked after
  • Not known to be good talkers

General Information

To determine what type of Amazon parrot you own, check for the head coloration, then beak and foot color. You should also check the wing and tail coloration, as some species such as the Blue Fronted Amazons, have a variation in the amount of color.  Their natural diet consists of fruits, berries, seeds, flowers and nectar. In captivity the Mexican Red Headed Parrot does quite well on a formulated parrot diet with daily bowls of cut up fruits and vegetables. All Amazon parrots are prone to obesity so be careful not to feed a staple diet of seeds, which can be very fattening. These parrots are not known for their ability to talk, but do not let this deter you. The Mexican Red Headed Parrot is an affectionate parrot that will bestow much love upon the people it likes.

 

They can be perch potatoes as they age, so it is important to watch their diets. They can live to be 80 years old, so it is very important to get youngsters started off on the right foot by accustoming them to healthy foods, such as pellets, vegetables, fruits, pasta, bread and nuts.  It is recommended that owners purchase a good quality gram scale to accurately weigh their birds on a weekly basis. Weight loss can be the first indicator of a medical problem, and it is easier to catch subtle weight gains and address the problem early on, before it becomes more serious.

 

Unlike most other members of the parrot group, Amazons don’t have an uropygial gland (also called a preen gland). This gland is located on the back, on the midline, near the base of the tail. The gland produces vitamin D3 precursors, and the secretion waterproofs the feathers. The secretion also is antibacterial and antifungal. Since Amazons don’t possess the uropygial gland, their powder down (from down feathers) provides waterproofing. The only other parrots without the uropygial gland are the purple macaws (hyacinth, Lear’s, Glaucous and Spix).

What food do they eat?

Their natural diet consists of fruits, berries, seeds, flowers and nectar. In captivity the Mexican Red Headed Parrot does quite well on a formulated parrot diet with daily bowls of cut up fruits and vegetables. All Amazon parrots are prone to obesity so be careful not to feed a staple diet of seeds, which can be very fattening.

Price

The mexican red headed amazon can be rescued, adopted, or purchased at verified organizations or adoption websites like Petfinder. Pricing typically ranges from $2,500 to $3,000 depending on the place selling the bird.


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 is the Mexican Red Headed Amazon?

They are approximately 11–13 inches (28–33 cm) in length from the beak to the tip of the tail feathers with a wingspan of 15–16 inches (38–41 cm). Choosing the correct cage for this amazing creature is vital to its long term health.

Temperament

The Mexican Red Headed Parrot is reported to lack the extreme mood swings of other Amazons; this makes him or her of much more even temperament.  Amazon parrots are stocky birds with short, slightly rounded tails and heavy bills. Beak color varies depending on the species and sub-species. The cere is naked, except for bristle feathers, which are thought to have a tactile function like a cat’s whiskers. There is a distinct notch in the upper mandible. Feathers can be bright and shiny, as in a Blue-fronted Amazon, or dull, like the Orange-winged Amazon.

Common Diseases

– Obesity

Mexican Red Headed Amazon Parrot in the wild

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