The Average Life Span of a Blue-Fronted Amazon

Blue-fronted Amazon parrots are predominantly bright green in plumage coloration, and their faces are yellow and blue. Males tend to have slightly more yellow facial coloration than females. These birds' wings feature crimson markings, and their limbs and bills are either blackish or deep gray. Blue-fronted Amazons typically achieve lengths of 15 inches, with weights somewhere between 14 and 19.25 ounces. Mature individuals have more intense coloration than juvenile specimens. When they live in the wild, they usually opt for grassland and woodland settings or the areas just surrounding rivers.

The reproductive season for the species begins in August and ends in December. Blue-fronted Amazon incubation lasts about 30 days, in clutches of one to six eggs. The youngsters typically hatch in September or October. At birth, they weigh less than an ounce. Approximately 56 days after they emerge, they are mature enough to fly solo. Reproductive maturity comes later, usually when they're somewhere between 2 and 4 years old. They breed annually. They form monogamous pairings and remain with their partners even outside of breeding, whether searching for food or resting. Apart from their pairings, blue-fronted Amazon parrots are extremely companionable animals who stay tightly knit with their flocks. Although these birds do not migrate in general, they occasionally travel to other nearby areas on the quest for sustenance.

Like many fellow parrots, blue-fronted Amazons have long life expectancies, particularly compared with those of other common household pets such as dogs and cats. A SeaWorld website says blue-fronted Amazon parrots have lived up to 80 years. However, the average life span is much lower. For those in captivity, 35 years or more is common. Average life span for blue-fronted Amazons in nature is approximately 27 years, according to the UK's Wingham Wildlife Park's website.

Many things can affect the individual life spans of blue-fronted Amazon parrots, namely medical problems. Some health-related problems they are susceptible to are avian poxvirus, parrot disease or psittacosis and excessive weight gain, all of which have the potential to shorten a specimen's life span. Birds require regular avian veterinary attention -- think appointments of once per year, minimum. It is imperative to take your parrot to the vet at the first indication of a health problem. Some common hints of illness in these birds are coughing, redness of the eyes, runny nose, loose feces, swollen bills, appetite loss and puffing of the feathers.

Promote longevity by providing the finest care possible. Diet is crucial, but it's often not taken as seriously as it should be. Blue-fronted Amazons need to consume reduced-fat diets made up mostly of commercial parrot pellets. Ample fresh produce is an important food element for these guys, too. Do not feed your parrot anything unless you have prior veterinary approval. Regular physical exercise is also vital for extending the blue-fronted Amazon's life span.