White Fronted Amazon - Amazona albifrons

Taxonomy/Origins: North and central-western Mexico; Northwest and southwest Guatemala.

Subspecies: There are three subspecies
1. Amazona albifrons albifrons
2. Amazona albifrons saltuensis which is similar to albifrons but has a blueish wash throughout and more blue on top of head.
3. Amazona albifrons nana which is like albifrons but smaller in size.

Plumage Colouration: Length: 26 cm (10.25 ins)
The overall colour of this parrot is green with the forehead and forecrown white to cream; eye area, lores, upper wing coverts and primary-coverts red; crown dull blue with blackish edging to feathers; primaries and outer webs of secondaries blue; upper and under tail-coverts yellowish green; tail upperside green with greenish-yellow tips base to outer tail-feathers red; eye ring grey; bill yellowish with the tip being a creamy colour; iris pale yellow to orange; feet grey.

Female as male, but upper wing coverts and primary-coverts usually green; some of the females have several or all primary-coverts red, although upper wing coverts always green.

Immatures have no red on their wings and tend to have some yellowish feathers on their forehead; iris dark.

Sexing: Female as male, but upper wing coverts and primary-coverts usually green; some of the females have several or all primary-coverts red, although upper wing coverts always green.

Feeding: These beautiful Amazons will thrive on a seed mix of sunflower, safflower, wheat, oats, canary grass seed and various millets; these are particularly favourable when they have been soaked and started to sprout; variety of fruit and vegetables, especially banana, peach, pear and apple; half-ripe maize; rose-hips; greenfood (chickweed, dandelion etc.); regular mineral supplements; bread and biscuit for rearing.

Housing: These parrots will suit an outside flight measuring 3m x 1m x 2m (9 x 3 x 6 ft); Preferably made of metal construction because they do like to chew at wooden framework. These birds need to be acclimatised carefully when first imported and should have access to inside quarters for their first winter. After this, they should be acclimatised in time for next winter;

Breeding: Breeding in captivity is regularly achieved; Only one pair per aviary for breeding which usually begins March to May; These birds will breed all year round if provided warm quarters; One drawback to these parrots is that they are noisy just before and during breeding; The usual clutch consists of 3 to 4 eggs and incubation lasts for 26 to 28 days. After this fledging takes a further 7 weeks;A sturdy nestbox is needed and should measure 25cm x 25cm x 50cm (10 x 10 x 20 ins) with an entrance hole of approximately 6cm (2 ins) wide; Another drawback which has been noticed in some pairs is that they often become aggressive towards their keeper during breeding.

Hints/tips: Preferably buy captive bred, so that you have a better chance of not losing any, because you dont have to worry about acclimatising them. Make sure you offer them as wide a variety of foods as possible so to encourage them to breed. These pretty little Amazons make lovely pets and are very lovable towards humans.

Unique Characteristics: This i believe is the smallest of all the Amazons and is reasonably easy to breed and cater for. They tend to be at their noisiest when breeding and are fairly quiet at all other times. Ideal for the first time parrot keeper and will reward you with hours of endless pleasure.

If you need advice on any birdkeeping matters, please dont hesitate to contact me.

Email: John Robinson c/o Derek Robinson