In addition to being wonderful companions, birds also make great pets because they generally live a long time.
Smaller birds tend to have shorter lifespans: the parakeet is known to live 5-15 years, while larger birds like the African gray parrot live 40-60 years.
Recently, I was asked how long blue-fronted amazons live?
It’s a good question and given their great personality, it’s worth exploring how long you can expect a blue-fronted amazon to live.
On average, blue-fronted amazons live between 35 and 55 years, with some reportedly living upwards of 70 years. These beautiful creatures have one of the longest lifespans of any bird.
Blue-fronted amazons – also known as turquoise-fronted amazons – are medium-sized birds and are mostly bright green with distinct blue markings around their beak, which is how they got their name.
They also have yellow coloring on their face around their eyes.
They are native to South America – specifically Argentina and Brazil.
Blue-fronted amazons are a fun and entertaining bird with a lot of personality.
This article will explore what contributes to blue-fronted amazons’ lifespan, their personality, the kind of care they need, whether they are endangered, and other details.
What lengthens the lifespan of a blue-fronted amazon?
Much like humans, a good diet and regular exercise are key to prolonging the life of your blue-fronted amazon.
In the wild, blue-fronted amazons eat fruits and berries, leaf buds and blossoms, and seeds and nuts.
Make sure to rotate fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet in addition to their pellets.
Blue-fronted amazons are prone to obesity and hyper-thyroidism so nuts and seeds should be added sparingly.
Make sure to avoid avocados and chocolate altogether as they are toxic to amazons.
Blue-fronted amazons should also be getting at least two hours of exercise a day – that means taking them out of their cage and letting them fly around as well as petting and interacting with them.
What shortens the lifespan of blue-fronted amazons?
In addition to obesity and hyper-thyroidism, blue-fronted amazons are especially susceptible to bacterial infections.
Bacteria can spread through their water, seeds, old food, or humid or dusty areas so make sure to clean their cages often.
Watch for coughing, redness in the eyes, runny nose, swollen bills, puffing feathers, or a loss of appetite and make sure to take them to the veterinarian at the first sign of a problem.
Without regular social interaction, exercise, and a healthy diet, the lifespan of your blue-fronted amazon can be significantly reduced.
Blue-fronted amazons are also frequent targets of illegal trading in South America.
Poachers will take them from their nests and transport them in unsafe containers, significantly reducing their chances of survival.
While reports find illegal trading is happening mostly in Brazil, it’s still best to work with a trusted breeder when purchasing a blue-fronted amazon to ensure its health.
What is the personality of a blue-fronted amazon?
Blue-fronted amazons are fun-loving, entertaining, and talkative.
They enjoy spending time with their owners so if you do adopt one, make sure to carve out daily time to socialize and interact.
Amazons can learn to talk and to do basic tricks and love performing.
They are considered hams and like to put on a show to get extra attention.
One reason amazons are popular pets is that they can keep themselves well-occupied as long as they have plenty of toys and space, however, they are extremely social and like being part of the action.
Make sure they have enough space, social interaction, and toys to keep them happy and to maintain their outgoing personality.
Are blue-fronted amazons loud?
Yes – blue-fronted amazons are known for singing or squawking to get attention.
Some amazons squawk at sunrise and sunset – an instinct that was used in the wild to mark time of day for their flock.
They are also very talkative and can learn words and phrases and enjoy repeating or mimicking their owners.
Their squawking and talkative nature makes blue-fronted amazons less suitable for people who live in apartment buildings.
Are blue-fronted amazons aggressive?
No, they are typically not aggressive and get along with owners and other birds.
If they feel threatened, they might try to protect their cage or their owner and have been known to “dive-bomb” a perceived threat.
Males can become more territorial during mating season or if they don’t get regular exercise or interaction.
Do blue-fronted amazons need a lot of care?
They don’t necessarily require a lot of care, but they do need a good amount of regular interaction.
It’s recommended that they be kept somewhere in the middle of the action in your home so they can talk with people as they clean, watch TV, eat dinner, etc.
They also need a fairly large cage to spread out.
Blue-fronted amazons like to stay occupied and prefer a lot of different toys, perches, and places to do acrobatics like ladders, ropes, or a swing.
The more things for them to chew or jump or hop on the better.
If getting them all those toys is a problem, try to give them more time outside of the cage.
Are blue-fronted amazons endangered?
Blue-fronted amazons are targets of animal trafficking in South America – in Brazil specifically.
This illegal trading has led the International Union for Conservation of Nature to label blue-fronted amazons as “near threatened” but not endangered.
Blue-fronted amazons are one of the most sought-after birds on the black market in Brazil.
In the U.S. and other countries, blue-fronted amazons can be found at exotic pet stores, but it’s best to go through a trusted bird breed to verify the bird’s origins and health.
Blue-fronted amazons are a unique bird and with the right care can live for decades.
Their outgoing personality makes them a great pet but requires time commitment from owners to ensure they get the social interaction to keep them happy.
This article outlined the lifespan of a blue-fronted amazon, what can extend or shorten their life, their personality, how to care for them, and more.