The Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot (Amazona oratrix) is a striking, intelligent, and highly vocal parrot known for its vivid green plumage and bright yellow head, along with its remarkable talking ability. Native to Mexico and parts of Central America, this Amazon parrot is admired for its lively personality, strong bonding capacity, and clear speech, making it a favorite among experienced parrot enthusiasts.
Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot Characteristics
Size: 15–17 inches (38–43 cm) in length.
Weight: 450–550 grams.
Lifespan: 50–80+ years with proper care.
Color: Green body with a bright yellow head and neck, red highlights on the wings.
Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate, vocal, and playful.
Double Yellow-headed Amazon Pictures
Personality and Behavior
Double Yellow-headed Amazons are social, intelligent, and highly interactive parrots. They are particularly renowned for their clarity in mimicking human speech and singing, often performing songs with impressive accuracy.
They thrive on daily social interaction, structured routines, and mental stimulation. Their playful and affectionate nature makes them delightful companions, but they can be strong-willed and territorial if boundaries are not established.
They can be vocal, especially during morning and evening, so they are best suited for owners comfortable with noise.
Without sufficient enrichment and socialization, they may develop behavioral issues such as feather plucking, screaming, and aggression.
Diet and Feeding
A balanced, species-appropriate diet is critical for Double Yellow-headed Amazons:
Pellets: Should make up 60–70% of their diet.
Fresh vegetables: Kale, carrots, bell peppers, squash, broccoli, leafy greens.
Fruits (moderation): Apples, mango, berries, melon.
Nuts and seeds: As occasional treats for enrichment.
Fresh, clean water daily.
Avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and salty/sugary foods.
Care Requirements
- Cage size: Spacious cage, minimum 36” x 24” x 48”, with strong bars for climbing and play.
- Exercise: At least 3–4 hours of supervised out-of-cage time daily for exercise and bonding.
- Enrichment: Foraging toys, puzzles, chew toys, ropes, and daily training sessions.
- Social needs: Require daily human interaction to remain emotionally healthy.
- Hygiene: Regular cage cleaning and opportunities for bathing or misting to maintain feather health.
- Veterinary care: Annual avian vet check-ups for health monitoring.
Common Health Problems
Double Yellow-headed Amazons can face:
- Obesity and fatty liver disease: Due to overfeeding or a seed-heavy diet with low activity levels.
- Feather plucking: Often linked to boredom or stress.
- Vitamin A deficiency: If not provided with a fresh, varied diet.
- Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD): Requires monitoring in multi-bird households.
Regular monitoring of weight, feather condition, and behavior is essential for early detection and prevention of health issues.
Price and Where to Buy
- Price range: $1,500–$3,500 USD depending on age, breeder, and location.
- Where to buy:
- Reputable breeders specializing in hand-raised Amazon parrots.
- Trusted avian specialty stores with clear health records.
- Parrot rescue organizations (due to their lifespan, some Double Yellow-headed Amazons need rehoming).
Owning a Double Yellow-headed Amazon is a lifelong commitment requiring consistent daily care and enrichment.
Are Double Yellow-headed Amazons Good Pets?
Double Yellow-headed Amazons can be exceptional companions for experienced parrot owners who can offer daily interaction, enrichment, and structured care.
They are affectionate, engaging, and exceptional talkers with strong social needs.
However, they require time, patience, and acceptance of their loud vocalizations.
Conservation Note
The Double Yellow-headed Amazon is classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and illegal trapping for the pet trade. Always purchase from ethical, captive-bred sources or consider adopting to support conservation and responsible ownership.