Double Yellow-headed Amazon
Amazona oratrix
Also called Yellow-headed amazon, Yellow-headed parrot, Levaillant's amazon, Mexican yellow-headed amazon
From Mexico (Pacific and Caribbean slopes and the Tres Marías Islands), Belize, Guatemala and north-western Honduras. It prefers riverside and deciduous forest, mangroves, savanna woodland and areas near water.123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Feathered; large, stocky Amazon with a short tail
A big, deep green Amazon with a yellow head and neck, yellow thighs and an orange-red patch at the bend of the wing. It has a white ring of bare skin around the eye, orange eyes and a pale horn-coloured beak. How far the yellow reaches depends on the subspecies, from just the crown to the whole head and upper chest. Young birds show yellow only on the crown and lores, and the full yellow head develops over about three to five years.123
Personality what they are like
A confident, gregarious and very entertaining parrot. Double yellow-heads are among the best talking parrots of all, and many learn songs and even snatches of opera. They are quick to learn and often bond most strongly with one person as they mature. Loud calling sessions at dawn and dusk are normal for the species.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Needs plenty of out-of-cage time, a play gym and a steady supply of toys to chew and destroy.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Offer soft woods and paper to shred plus sturdier toys of hardwood, leather or lava stone, and rotate them regularly.3
Home where they are happiest
A spacious, strong cage (powder-coated or stainless steel) plus a play gym. For aviaries, a flight of at least 3 m and temperatures above 10 °C are recommended.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A balanced pellet diet with fresh vegetables and fruit, including foods rich in vitamin A and calcium; keep portions sensible and exercise regular. Wild birds eat palm fruits, seeds, buds, flowers, figs and mango.31
Company who they like around
Very social and does not do well alone for long. Plan for daily attention and stimulation.3
The story where it all began
Ridgway described the yellow-headed Amazon in 1887, and it has been treasured by bird keepers for generations for its exceptional voice. Wild numbers have dropped greatly, and it is now protected under CITES Appendix I, so pet birds today come from captive breeding.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Double yellow-heads are known for learning whole songs, including opera pieces.3
- 2
Males perform a showy strut with the tail fanned out while calling loudly.3
- 3
Unlike many parrots, they often fly silently.2
- 4
The full yellow head takes several years to appear; young birds have yellow only on the crown.3
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy
- Described by Ridgway in 1887. Sometimes treated as a subspecies of the yellow-crowned amazon. Four subspecies usually recognised: oratrix, tresmariae, belizensis and hondurensis.2
- IUCN Red List
- Endangered.1
- CITES
- Appendix I; only captive-bred birds may be legally kept.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Double Yellow-headed Amazon. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Cage linerevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bath offerevery 3 days
- Nails checkevery month
- Beak checkevery month
- EnrichmentPuzzles and foraging every dayevery day
- Out-of-cage timeAbout 3 hours a dayevery day
- Vet check-upevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Double Yellow-headed Amazon?
Feed your Double Yellow-headed Amazon a balanced pellet diet with fresh vegetables and fruit daily. Furry Diary's starting plan is to offer fresh food and water every day. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.31 Furry Diary plan
What does a Double Yellow-headed Amazon eat, and what should it never eat?
A balanced pellet diet with fresh vegetables and fruit, including foods rich in vitamin A and calcium, is ideal. Wild birds eat palm fruits, seeds, buds, flowers, figs and mango. Never give avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or high-fat, salty, or sugary foods; ask your vet for a full list.31
How much space does a Double Yellow-headed Amazon need?
A spacious, strong cage (powder-coated or stainless steel) plus a play gym is needed. For aviaries, a flight of at least 3 meters is recommended. Furry Diary's starting plan includes about 3 hours of out-of-cage time daily.32 Furry Diary plan
What temperature, light or water does a Double Yellow-headed Amazon need?
Keep temperatures above 10°C for aviaries, and provide natural daylight or full-spectrum lighting. Fresh water should be offered daily. For precise temperature and light needs, consult an avian vet.32 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Double Yellow-headed Amazon's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests changing the cage liner daily and doing a full cage clean every 7 days. Offer a bath every 3 days to help with feather care. Furry Diary plan
Can a Double Yellow-headed Amazon live with others?
Double Yellow-headed Amazons are very social and do not do well alone for long. They can live with other birds if introduced carefully, but they often bond most strongly with one person. Always supervise interactions.32
How long does a Double Yellow-headed Amazon live?
These parrots can live 50 to 80 years with good care. This is a long-term commitment, so plan for their lifelong needs.13
Can I handle a Double Yellow-headed Amazon?
Yes, they are confident and entertaining parrots that enjoy handling, but they often bond most strongly with one person. Furry Diary's starting plan includes daily out-of-cage time and enrichment. Handle gently and respect their mood.32 Furry Diary plan
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Yellow-headed Amazon - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for names, subspecies, size, weight, range, habitat, plumage, wild diet, lifespan, conservation
- Yellow-headed amazon - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, size, subspecies, behaviour, legal status, aviary guidance, talking
- Double Yellow-Headed Amazon - Lafeber lafeber.comused for temperament, talking, noise, enrichment, cage, diet, social needs, lifespan, fun facts
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.