Blue-fronted Amazon

The Blue-fronted Amazon is a mainly green parrot about 38 cm long. They have blue feathers on the forehead above the beak and yellow on the face and crown. Distribution of blue and yellow varies greatly among individuals. Unlike most other Amazona parrots, its beak is mostly black. There is no overt sexual dimorphism. Juveniles of all parrots are duller and have dark irises.

The Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot - colorful and camouflaged

The blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva) is a medium to large sized parrot, indigenous to south and central America. It is known for its bright green coloration, with a bright blue colored markings above the ceres or beak area. Around the head, the color may consist of bright yellow markings. Many people prefer to own this type of parrot for its excellent ability to speak and to mimic sounds. It also makes a good companion with proper training.

In the wild, the blue-fronted amazon tends to dwell in tropical rain forest regions of south and central America, where it strips the bark of trees to keep its hook bill trimmed. It populates regions of Brazil and Argentina in abundance. Its diet in the wild mainly consists of seeds and fruits. The size of the blue-fronted amazon is generally between 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) from the top of its head to the tip of its tail.

Although amazon parrots are excellent at dodging predators in the wild, they can become prey to larger birds. Amazons do not become captured by predators very frequently however, due to the fact that they tend to perch in high trees and their green coloring is an excellent camouflage.

As a pet, the blue-fronted amazon may bond with one person exclusively, if it has been hand-raised and hand fed from a baby. If this bird is cared for properly and given a balanced and nutritional diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains and protein, it should have a lifespan of about 50-60 years or more.

The blue-fronted amazon becomes sexually mature at about four or five years of age. These types of parrots generally mate for life, and will choose one partner for a lifetime. A clutch of babies typically consists of one to three.

Although this breed of parrot has been domestically bred in the United States for many years, it is considered to be an endangered species in its natural habitat of central and south America. Importing and smuggling this parrot from their native country is illegal and may pose certain health risks. Breeders who raise blue-fronted amazons in the States typically place an identification band on the bird's leg. This is to establish the bird is a domestically bred, and not wild-caught parrot.

These parrots are considered to be highly intelligent creatures. This is another attribute which makes them so desirable as pets. They are easily bored and need constant mental stimulation in the way of toys and a large cage or play gym perch. Most blue-fronts which are kept as pets prefer to spend time interacting with their owners and love to perch on a shoulder.

It should be noted that if kept as a pet, there are certain hazards that need to be avoided. Like all parrots, the blue-fronted amazon should never be given chocolate or avocado to eat, as it can be toxic or even lethal to them. Teflon or non-stick pots and pans which overheat can also pose a health risk factor and be toxic to pet parrots as well.

Picture of the blue-fronted amazon by Matthew Watts, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

The Blue-fronted Amazon is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.