upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I have had an African Grey Timneh, white capped Pionus and Spectacled Amazon in the past (BD- Before Divorce). Currently I have a rescue male cockatiel and a male rosy Bourke who live together in a very large flight cage. The cockatiel is handtamed and a darling. But I miss a talking bird.
My spectacled amazon was a little Napoleon and didn't talk much so not sure I want another one of those.
I would get an African Grey but was so attached to my Lisa, not sure I want to get another one and be comparing it to her.
I like the Pionus, but again, he didn't talk much and again, I was VERY attached to him, too.
I have looked online and read that the Lilac Crowned are a calmer, nice bird and thought maybe one of them. However, it also said they sometimes aren't much for talking.
Not sure I would be up to handling one of the larger Amazons like DYH, but was interested in how they are to handle? I know I read how they are hormonal and understand that.
Any help with info on living with the good talking Amazons would be appreciated.
I have dogs (a Lab and miniature Dachshund and Chinese Crested) They are taught to leave the bird cages alone and the birds go into my bedroom with me to play daily with the door shut. No danger of the dogs getting them. How do Amazons handle other animals? My African Grey used to go to the bottom of her cage when I would play retrieve with the dogs. She would grab a wooden ball and throw it to the other side of the cage then run and retrieve it. What a hoot! I understand the Amazons are playful like that as well.
Thanks,
Karla

We have 2 DYh and a Yellow Nape Amazon. Nape is currently traveling in the motorhome with us from Michigan to Texas and back.. He loves his dad to much to be left at home.
Our DYH's are happy with our son and his girlfriend watching them although they are a bit afraid of they. (the kids are of the birds)
Our female is now 14 years old and have had her since she was 3-1/2 years old. She is a hoot, she talks, laughts, whistles, and makes all kinds of silly noises and does crazy things.
Our male DYH is 50+/- and the biggest lover in the world. We rescued him Chirstmas Eve 6 years ago. He also talks, laughs, whistles and has picked up everything our female says. They do not like each other one bit but well get in yelling/talking contests to see who can get the last word in, which is always funny to here.

All 3 of our birds have been raised with out cat who is not 12 years old with no problems, unless she gets her tail to close, then they will try to grap it. My folks also have to very mouthy Poms who are over almost daily and the birds could care less.

We had never had a big parrot until we got them but I had done a bit of working for a rescue and went straight from cockatiels to Amazon and would do it all over again.

They are the best and the love you get in return makes it worth everything.

As with any parrot...there is no guarantee they will talk, so I would say, don't go into it thinking you will get a talker by picking a specific breed. That might lead to disappointment.

I have a 5 yo DYH and can't imagine life without her. She was my first big bird I ever had. I went to a breeder wanting a Sun Conure....then I heard them. That ended that! The breeder has a few birds....I saw this DYH in the corner, went over to her, stuck my finger in the cage, got nipped, and I fell in love....lol. So I sort of picked her, then read about them. Now...I knew the basics of parrots as I did a lot of research, but not on any specific breeds. I thought a zon was a zon... HA!

I did a lot of reading and took a lot of advice from boards like this and it's been a wonderful experience. I didn't know if Kia was a female or male when I got her...so I was really worried about the hormonal stuff, but...turns out she is a she....and even if not, I'm sure I could have adjusted properly. I would say with zons it's all about body language.

We used to have a lab/shepard mix (rip) that would bark at Kia constantly. Kia just yelled back. She wasn't scared at all by her. I also have a cat....who like Mummbles said, is fine unless her tail is within grabbing distance...lol. Kia LOVES to imitate the cats meows and does it every time the cat comes in the room...

Kia also loves my dad, almost as much as me. She's regurged on me...so... She has no problems going to him, or anything like that. Not possessive of anyone, or her territory.

She isn't the cuddliest bird, but we have a fantastic relationship and my life has been enriched with her in it.

I have had a male BFA and now I have had a female LCA for 11 years. I would not trade the lilac for anything. She is really sweet and does not get hormonal like my BFA did. Granted I know I am comparing a male and female but.............. I also have a Hahn's macaw and she is more bird to handle sometimes than the lilac crown. I am just happy at how sweet she is. But with amazons it is body language and if you bother them when they are not in the mood they still may bite. My lilac has bitten me but to be honest it has never been as hard a nip as the BFA.

As far as talking ability my lilac is not the best pr the worst talker and does not have an extensive vocabulary but to be honest I really do not care. Talking ability does vary from bird to bird. There is no guarantee. I have seen LCA that are better talkers than mine and some that do not talk. My LCA is a better talker than my Hahn's but then again I have seen Hahn's macaws that can talk so much better than mine.

Disposition will vary from bird to bird also. I have known people who have had lilacs that were mean and blue fronts that were perfect angels.

Hope this helps a little.

Hi - My lilac crowned is a wonderful bird. He came to me from a friend who was going away and leaving his birds all weekend. He will step up and let me carry him around, but does not like to be touched - so I respect that. Sometimes he will get playful and pretend like he is going to bite me but puts his beak over my fingers but with no pressure. He does talk quite a bit and still is learning new things. I think that he would be a better talker if I had more time to devote to just talking to him. But he seems to be a happy bird and since my caiques all like me to hold them, or swing them or tell them stories, I am glad that he likes to be more independent. I may not have ever gotten an amazon but I am so glad that I have him.

Do you have a bird rescue near you? You might go see what they have and see them in person. I got Jackson 3 years ago and I think that he is about 8 yrs old now. I could leave him out all day and he would just sit on his cage or go in and out.

Good luck on your choice. I know there are so many birds needing homes now. I am in Minnesota and all of our rescues are full.

Hi - My lilac crowned is a wonderful bird. He came to me from a friend who was going away and leaving his birds all weekend. He will step up and let me carry him around, but does not like to be touched - so I respect that. Sometimes he will get playful and pretend like he is going to bite me but puts his beak over my fingers but with no pressure. He does talk quite a bit and still is learning new things. I think that he would be a better talker if I had more time to devote to just talking to him. But he seems to be a happy bird and since my caiques all like me to hold them, or swing them or tell them stories, I am glad that he likes to be more independent. I may not have ever gotten an amazon but I am so glad that I have him.

Do you have a bird rescue near you? You might go see what they have and see them in person. I got Jackson 3 years ago and I think that he is about 8 yrs old now. I could leave him out all day and he would just sit on his cage or go in and out.

Good luck on your choice. I know there are so many birds needing homes now. I am in Minnesota and all of our rescues are full.