| AMAZON PARROTS | ||||||||||||
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Amazon parrot | ||||||||||||
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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.
Several amazon species are commonly kept as companion animals, including the double yellow-headed amazon, yellow-naped amazon, blue-fronted amazon.
Amazons are usually known for their exceptional vocal abilities, playfulness, and dexterity with their feet. However, some amazons are known to be aggressive and they all require attention when kept as pets. In particular, since Amazons are cavity nesters in the wild, their desire to chew wood is strong, and they need to be provided with destructable toys to satisfy this innate urge.
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.