Amazons: great companions or too much to handle?

I just purchased a YNA six weeks ago. She is not a baby, but 15 years old.
I wouldn't give her up for the world, BUT, she is a one person bird. She
loves to lure my husband over to her, then take a chunk out of him. After
three bites, he doesn't go near her anymore, which is not what I wanted, but
am keeping her regardless. I have no idea why you shouldn't let them up on
your shoulder?? I have her there all the time, and only have problems if I
wear my earrings, but that goes for all birds. The low playpen thing
doesn't add up either. She does climb down her cage to follow me around the
house, so, don't understand the low concept. I want mine high as we have
three kitties, of which I am 90% sure they would not harm the bird, but
don't know what the bird would do to them! I think that if a bird is
aggressive through the first decade, they will always be aggressive. I have
seen young birds grow older, and their temperament stayed pretty much the
same. As far as kids around, Amazons are quick to bite, so wouldn't make
the bird to accessible to the kids unless it is known that they get along.
Amazons are true blue bonding birds, and very protective, and like I say,
love mine. If I were to do it again through, I would go for a new born
Macaw. I think that they are more versatile and not quite as unpredictable.
"Phil Jarvis" <philj2xNoSpamx DeleteThis @sybase.com> wrote in message
news:sk9Nc.163149$%_6.53478@attbi_s01...
| I like the amazons, I've been getting to know some YNA's.
|
| I wanted to get some amazon owner opinions.
| Are they too much to handle?
| I've read the many accounts that say you shouldn't let them on your
| shoulder, or even let them have a cage-top playpen, instead preferring
| a lower height separate pen.
|
| I've read they can be aggressive through their first decade.
|
| While I kind of like that fiery look they get in their eye,
| I'm not really looking to get nerve damage then I miss a visual clue
| or when one of my kids pops into a room when I'm spending time with the
| bird.
|
| Also, is there any real difference in disposition between the females
| and males?
|
| So I'm just curious about the reflections of amazon owners.
| Please don't reply if you aren't a current or past amazon owner.
|
| Thanks!
|
| Phil
|
|
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 >> Stay informed about: Amazons: great companions or too much to handle? 

Jan Fountain wrote:
> I just purchased a YNA six weeks ago. She is not a baby, but 15 years old.

Is it your first YNA? Is it a male or female? (i.e. was tested? you
imply female below).

One of my original questions was whether amazon females are noticeably
different than males in the aggression department.

Many accounts I've read of amazons suggest that the most aggressive
hormonal stages of amazons end around 9 years of age. So maybe yours is
old enough to be mellow, too.

> I wouldn't give her up for the world, BUT, she is a one person bird. She
> loves to lure my husband over to her, then take a chunk out of him. After
> three bites, he doesn't go near her anymore, which is not what I wanted, but
> am keeping her regardless.

> I have no idea why you shouldn't let them up on
> your shoulder?? I have her there all the time, and only have problems if I
> wear my earrings, but that goes for all birds. The low playpen thing
> doesn't add up either.

I read in multiple places that keeping the bird off shoulder and high
places is to reduce the likelihood of aggressive behavior. It's a bird
dominance thing, and the amazons seem to be viewed as very prone to
aggression if not managed properly, and height == mental disposition to
dominance for some birds. I think I've only seen that advice applied to
amazons though, at least to the extent of not recommending cage-top
playpens for them.

Of course every bird is different, as its its ownership. That's why I
was looking for statements from amazon owners about whether they're too
much to handle or whether they can be managed to be multi-person social,
tolerant of handling, etc.

> house, so, don't understand the low concept. I want mine high as we have
> three kitties, of which I am 90% sure they would not harm the bird, but
> don't know what the bird would do to them! I think that if a bird is
> aggressive through the first decade, they will always be aggressive.

Did the prior owner of your bird describe whether the bird changed at
all, to support your theory?

> I have
> seen young birds grow older, and their temperament stayed pretty much the
> same. As far as kids around, Amazons are quick to bite, so wouldn't make
> the bird to accessible to the kids unless it is known that they get along.
> Amazons are true blue bonding birds, and very protective, and like I say,
> love mine. If I were to do it again through, I would go for a new born
> Macaw. I think that they are more versatile and not quite as unpredictable.

More versatile how? Just in the general "being a character" department?
Or as talkers/performers?

Thanks for the reply.
 >> Stay informed about: Amazons: great companions or too much to handle?