A robust, outgoing Amazon with a real talent for song — and a well-earned reputation for seasonal hormonal aggression.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Amazona aestiva |
| Origin | Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina |
| Length | 37 cm (15 in) |
| Weight | 400–500 g (14–18 oz) |
| Lifespan | 50–60 years |
| Noise level | High |
| Experience | Intermediate to advanced |
| Conservation | Near Threatened |
Temperament
Blue-fronts are confident, comic and often musical; many develop a repertoire of songs rather than simple mimicry. Mature males in particular can become markedly aggressive during breeding season, with pinned eyes, flared tail and fanned nape as reliable warning signs. Learning to read that body language is the single most useful skill for an Amazon owner.
Care
Amazons are strongly predisposed to obesity and to fatty liver disease on seed-based diets. A pelleted base with generous vegetables and strictly limited nuts and sunflower seed is standard. Daily flight or equivalent activity is a health requirement rather than an enrichment bonus.
Notes
Heavy historical trapping for the pet trade contributed to its Near Threatened listing. Captive-bred birds are widely available and there is no defensible reason to seek a wild-caught one.