The range of the blue-fronted amazon extends over eastern and northern Bolivia, eastern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. Parrots vigorously pursued because of the harm they cause to orchards and maize plantations. It is found in forests (though generally avoids extensive humid forests such as the Amazon), woodland, savanna and palm groves. The blue-fronted amazon, also called the turquoise-fronted amazon and blue-fronted parrot, is a South American species of amazon parrot and one of the most common amazon parrots kept in captivity as a pet or companion parrot. Its common name is derived from the distinctive blue marking on its head just above its beak.
The blue-fronted amazon is a mainly green parrot about 38 cm long from head to tail tip and weigh 400 to 430 grams. They have blue feathers on the forehead above the beak and yellow on the face and crown. Distribution of blue and yellow varies greatly among individuals. Unlike most other Amazona parrots, its beak is mostly black. There is no overt sexual dimorphism to the human eye, but analysis of the feathers using spectrometry, a method which allows the plumage to be seen as it would be by a parrot’s tetrachromatic vision, shows clear differences between the plumage of the sexes. Juveniles of parrots are duller and have dark irises.
In their natural habitat, Blue-fronted Amazons nest in tree cavities. They generally produce a clutch of 3 to 5 oval, white eggs, which measure around 38 x 30 mm. The eggs are incubated by the female for 29 to 30 days and the chicks leave the nest about 60 days after hatching.
Their talking ability varies greatly from individual to individual, but some speak nearly as well as the yellow-headed amazon group (yellow-naped, Panama, yellow-crowned, double yellow-headed. They seem to have a proclivity for singing. They require interaction but also can play with toys contently for several hours at a time. Pets require plenty of toys, perches, and climbing room.
