He's a bird...but not a bird brain! Amazon Double Yellow-Headed Parrots are intelligent, funny and loving members of the family. And ours just recently turned 10 years old.
We got him when he was only six months old. We know his age, name and that he's male 'cause the little guy came with documents.
Pets are as much members of a family as the humans...I've always believed this. Growing up my family had dogs...loved our German Shepherd named Baron. His delightful peculiarity was that he would rescue babies: baby birds, kittens, even human toddlers would get a nudge out of harm's way. One thing he would do, though, that drove my dad nuts was that in late summer when the nectarines ripened, Baron would jump up and nab them for a snack. That dog could jump pretty high!
Having grown up with a dog in the family, I know how intelligent canines are...and I'm here to tell you that Amazon parrots are more so!
Yes, our George learned to talk human-speak as a little guy. It took maybe a week and he was calling the senior software engineering guy "Daddy." He still does. Now, in the mornings when I take the cover off his cage, George hollers for Daddy to get up. He'll say "Daddy!" "Up!" And, if Daddy doesn't get into the kitchen according to George's schedule, he will commence a search of the house until he finds him.
I've heard other people say, when it comes to talking, that all parrots do is 'mimic.' True to a point. I mean, really, how can they
know what they are saying? However...and this is a big HOWEVER...there are times when George will say something in human at just the right time in just the right circumstance. And it is spooky!
Our birdie is a "double yellow-headed" Amazon. So named because there are Amazons with yellow just on the top of their heads and there are Amazons with yellow just on the nape [back of neck area]. With George, when we got him at six months old, all he had was a bit of yellow on the top of his head...as the years go by the yellow will gradually cover his entire head down to his shoulders [top of wings].
Amazon parrots are like having a three-year old human in the house...for life. Although he can be sweet and loving, he can also be messy and loud and demanding of attention. These birds are very social. George is now 10 years old and considered an adult. His habit now is to sleep most of the day - birds also sleep all night long just like we do. But when he's active...he's very active! To be an owner of an Amazon, you have to want to have a toddler in the house forever.
Does George sing? Oh, yes! He sings opera quite well. He loves to sing that 'George of the Jungle' jingle and even does the Tarzan yell. When he is frightened or hurts himself he will say, "Are you alright?" and do kissing noises just like I do.
And George hates cats. I mean, if he's looking out the window and sees a cat walking on the sidewalk two blocks away, he'll set up an alarm. Good grief, bird! Also George doesn't like to go outside...although he likes riding in the van. He's afraid of hawks...as well he should be as parrots are prey to hawks. Trouble is, George will sometimes mistake an airplane for a hawk and there goes the
alarm squawk.
I wanted to do this post to honor our pet's 10th birthday. If he stays well and healthy he could live to be 50 or more - and that's in people years! I love dogs, tolerate cats, but must say, birds for me are the best pets.
Oh, we also have a parakeet named Pippin. Now Pippin is tiny compared to George but Pip loves George and loves to hang out with him and follow him around. And, to his credit, George puts up with this. When he's had enough of Pip bugging him, George just lunges at him or shakes a toy at him and Pip flys off. To answer your question: no, George has never hurt Pip.
One of my favorite times of day is in the evening after dinner. We all watch tv. The birdies hang around on the coffee table and George chatters right along with the dialogue...his favorite show is 'Murder She Wrote.'
I have to say, having this incredible creature in my life is such a joy. He has a huge personality and those times when he's parading around on the floor as if he's a T-Rex...well, I just let him think that!
*all photos by author
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