Our Privacy/Cookie Policy contains detailed information about the types of cookies & related technology on our site, and some ways to opt out. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use.

Close

How to Care for a Yellow-Naped Amazon

i Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images

Yellow-naped Amazon parrots are popular companion birds thanks to their intelligence, social nature, propensity for talking and moderate size. In the wild, they live along the Pacific Coast between Mexico and Costa Rica. With proper care, they can live for up to 60 years in captivity.

Housing

The cage for a yellow-naped Amazon should be a minimum of 36 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 36 inches high. However, it is best to get the biggest cage you can afford and have room for. The bars should have spacing of no more than 1 inch to limit risk of injury. Place several perches which your pet can move between. Ideally you should also have an outdoor cage or aviary so he can spend some time in the sun and fresh air. Although these parrots don't mind being housed with a companion, they're equally happy when kept alone.

Feeding

The basis of your yellow-naped Amazon's diet should be roughly half specially formulated parrot pellets and half fresh fruit. The species has a propensity toward obesity when kept in captivity, which can lead to health problems, so it's best to feed yours a relatively lowfat diet. As such, avoid feeding nuts or seeds, except for training your bird, because they're high in calories and fat.

Activities

Playful and inquisitive birds, yellow-naped Amazons need plenty of stimulation and activities to keep them healthy and happy. Provide your pet toys in his cage, as well as wood blocks and branches to chew on. Avoid toxic woods. Your bird needs at least two hours of supervised time out of his cage each day, so he can explore their surroundings and interact with you and other people in his surroundings. Teaching him words or simple tricks will offer him some mental stimulation.

Grooming

You'll need to regularly bathe or shower your yellow-naped Amazon to keep feathers in good shape and to avoid any skin conditions. Once bathed, your parrot can either be left in the sun or in a warm room to dry naturally or dried with a blow-drier on a low setting. If you choose to clip his wing feathers, don't do so excessively, or he could fall to the floor while attempting to fly and hurt himself.