Orange-winged Amazon

Amazona amazonica

Also called Orange-winged parrot, Loro guaro

SpeciesShort profile

From Tropical South America, from Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and Trinidad and Tobago south through eastern Ecuador and Peru, north-eastern Bolivia and Amazonian Brazil. It lives mainly in lowland forest, savanna, palm swamps, mangroves and farmland near water.1 2 3

At a glance the quick version

Length31 to 33 cm1 2

Lifespan30 to 80 years1 3

Sizemedium

Lively and spirited

Often mellower than other Amazons

Good at copying whistles and sounds

Looks how to spot one

Feathered; medium, short-tailed parrot

A mainly green Amazon with yellow on the forehead, crown and cheeks and blue to violet feathers around the eyes. The orange that gives it its name sits on the wing feathers and in the tail, and is mostly seen when the bird flies or spreads its wings. The upper beak is partly horn-coloured. Males and females look alike; young birds have grey-brown rather than orange eyes.1 2 3

ColoursGreen bodyYellow crown and cheeksBlue to violet around the eyesOrange wing and tail patches1 2

Personality what they are like

A cheerful, energetic Amazon that is often a little calmer than its louder relatives. Orange-wings are more likely to mimic whistles and household sounds than to build a large vocabulary, though some learn a few words. They are social birds that enjoy being part of family life and are still quite vocal.3 2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. Needs lots of playtime and exercise to stay active, with climbing, flapping and daily out-of-cage time.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Rotate toys and include foraging activities to keep the bird busy.3

Home where they are happiest

A roomy cage with a play area; World Parrot Trust recommends aviaries of at least 3 m in length.1 3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A balanced pellet diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit, going light on starchy and fatty foods. Wild birds eat palm fruits, figs, inga pods, seeds, flowers and cultivated fruits such as mango and citrus.3 1

Company who they like around

Very social. Wild birds roost together in groups of 200 or more; at home they need regular company from people or other birds.1 3

The story where it all began

Linnaeus described the orange-winged Amazon in 1766. It was a very common pet bird for decades and is widespread in the wild, and escaped birds have formed small free-living groups in places such as Miami and London.2 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The orange wing colour is mostly hidden until the bird flies.3
2
They roost communally in groups that can number over 200 birds.1
3
Wild birds often visit towns and cities in their native range.1
4
It is often mistaken for the blue-fronted Amazon.3

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy: Described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766 as Psittacus amazonicus. Wikipedia treats it as monotypic; World Parrot Trust lists two subspecies (amazonica and tobagensis).2
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.1
CITES: Appendix II.1
Aviculture: Described as fairly common in captivity.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Orange-winged 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

Start a free diary

Blue-fronted Amazon

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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.

Orange-winged Amazon - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for names, subspecies, size, weight, range, habitat, plumage, wild diet, lifespan, social behaviour, conservation
Orange-winged amazon - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, size, weight, range, introduced populations, behaviour
Orange-Winged Amazon - Lafeber lafeber.comused for temperament, talking, exercise, diet, social needs, lifespan, fun facts

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.