Looking down a row of parrot cages at a specialist bird shop or aviary in Britain, your eye catches a striking green parrot with a bright red forehead — and perhaps yellow cheeks. That’s the Red‑Lored Amazon. You find yourself imagining conversations, toys, colourful plumage, and a long‑term feathered companion. But before you bring one home, there’s an important journey ahead — one filled with paperwork, responsibility, and commitment. This article is your guide to everything you should know before buying a Red‑Lored Amazon in the UK.

Meet the Red‑Lored Amazon: Personality, Looks & Suitability

The Red‑Lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis) is a medium-to-large parrot — typically about 32–35 cm long and weighing between 310 and 480 g.

Appearance & Colours

  • Their plumage is primarily green. Adults feature a bright red patch on the forehead and lores. In some subspecies, you’ll also see yellow on the cheeks or ear coverts.

  • The crown may show bluish tints toward the back. Beak is grey with a lighter base, and the eye‑ring is pale (white to light yellow), while the iris in juveniles tends to be darker, changing with age.

  • Juveniles often look duller: subtler red and cheek colours, darker eyes — all of which brighten as the bird matures.

Temperament & Behaviour

  • Red‑Lored Amazons are known to be social, intelligent, and affectionate. Many owners say they bond strongly with their favourite person and enjoy interaction.

  • They’re also capable of mimicking speech and household noises — given patience, training and regular interaction.

  • However, these parrots tend to be noisy: morning and evening calls, loud squawks or metallic scolding noises are common.

  • They have high energy, love to climb, chew, explore — and need mental and physical stimulation to thrive.

Suitability

A Red‑Lored Amazon suits someone who:

  • Has space — a large cage or aviary, ideally room for time outside the cage

  • Can commit to daily social interaction, enrichment, and cleaning

  • Is okay with noise and potentially loud calls — maybe less ideal for quiet apartments or noise‑sensitive neighbours

  • Understands that parrots are long-term companions — often living for decades

If you’re ready for a long-term, interactive, sometimes challenging but rewarding pet — an Amazon could be a wonderful fit.

The UK Parrot‑Buying Landscape: Where to Look

If you’re in the UK and ready to buy, here are the most common paths to find a Red‑Lored Amazon:

Reputable Breeders and Aviaries

Specialist breeders — especially those focusing on Amazon parrots — are often the best bet for healthy, well‑raised birds. Many such breeders maintain captive-bred birds, with paperwork documenting origin and breeding history. Some may also offer hand‑reared or parent‑reared birds that are more likely to adapt well to home life.

As an example, you can explore available Red‑Lored Amazons and other parrots from reputable breeders at BT Aviary .

When dealing with breeders, check that they provide correct documentation (see below).

Pet Shops & Bird Stores

Some UK pet shops or exotic‑bird shops occasionally sell Amazon parrots. However, due to high maintenance needs and legal complexities, availability tends to be limited. If going this route, make sure the shop is reputable — clean facilities, knowledgeable staff, and birds with proper paperwork.

Adoption and Rescues

Sometimes individuals or rescue centres rehome parrots — often because previous owners underestimate the commitment. In such cases, you might find older birds with established personalities. While adoption can be rewarding, make extra effort to ensure the bird was properly cared for, and be prepared for potential behavioural challenges from previous neglect or stress.

Legal & Regulatory Considerations

Under UK law (as of 1st October 2024), even pet parrots now require registration with the national authority for parrot trade, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), if they have access to the open air.
Moreover, many parrot species — including Amazons — require a valid CITES Article 10 certificate to confirm legal origin, even if bred in captivity.

How to Choose a Healthy Red‑Lored Amazon: What to Check & Ask

Red Flags to Watch Out For

  • No or incomplete paperwork (no Article 10 certificate, no leg ring/microchip) — this could mean illegal trade or untraceable origin.

  • Birds sold too young — not weaned, still being spoon-fed. Avoid those still dependent.

  • Poor physical condition — fluffed-up, dull feathers, overgrown beak or nails, discharge around eyes or nostrils, abnormal droppings.

  • Nervousness, extreme fear, or aggressive reactions — could signal poor socialisation, neglect or stress.

Questions to Ask the Breeder or Seller

  • Is the bird captive‑bred? Is there documentation (CITES, leg ring/microchip, hatch certificate)?

  • How old is the bird, and is it fully weaned and parent- or hand‑reared?

  • What is the bird’s diet now? Pellets? Fresh fruits/vegetables? Seeds?

  • Has the bird had veterinary checks, been vaccinated if necessary, or checked for common parrot diseases?

  • What environment has the bird lived in (cage/aviary size, enrichment, social exposure)?

Signs of a Healthy Red‑Lored Amazon

  • Bright, well‑groomed feathers — smooth, without bald patches or dullness

  • Alert, curious behaviour: moves around, explores, interacts with you or surroundings

  • Appetite for good food (pellets, fresh fruit/veg, nuts etc.), and eats regularly

  • Active vocalizations but also periods of calm and rest — indicates comfort and normal behaviour

Responsibilities of Ownership: Life with a Red‑Lored Amazon

Owning a Red‑Lored Amazon is far more than owning a pet bird — it’s a long-term commitment. Here’s what to plan for:

Diet

  • A balanced diet should consist largely of high-quality pellets, supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and occasional cooked pulses.

  • Avoid toxic foods like avocado or eggplant, which can be dangerous or fatal.

  • Provide clean, fresh water daily. Replace at least once a day.

Housing

  • Provide a cage or aviary that’s as large as possible. For an Amazon, a suspended cage around 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft (or a large aviary) is often recommended.

  • Include multiple perches at different heights, sturdy chewable toys, swings, and items for climbing. These birds love activity.

  • Bathing is beneficial — many Amazons enjoy a shower or bath, so offer a shallow dish or a mist from above occasionally.

Enrichment & Social Interaction

  • Parrots are intelligent, social creatures — mental stimulation is essential. Rotating toys, foraging puzzles, destructible chews, and varied perches help prevent behavioural problems like feather‐plucking.

  • Daily interaction with you — talking, training, supervised time out of cage — builds trust and prevents loneliness.

  • If possible, consider companionship — though mixing species must be done carefully, and caution is advised when pairing with much smaller birds. (Smaller birds risk injury.)

Long Lifespan: Thinking Long-Term

  • In captivity, Red‑Lored Amazons may live up to 50–75 years, sometimes even longer if well cared for.

  • That means decades of commitment — housing, food, veterinary care, social interaction. Ideally, the bird might outlive you. Think about who might care for it in the long-term.

Practical Tips for UK Owners

Here are some UK‑specific practical matters to consider before bringing your Amazon home:

  • Vet care: While I’m not listing clinics, it’s wise to locate an avian vet locally before you buy — parrots need check-ups, and issues like psittacosis or feather‑plucking require prompt care.

  • Weather and environment: Being tropical in origin, Red‑Lored Amazons thrive in warm, stable indoor temperatures. Avoid placing the cage in chilly drafts or very cold spaces. Provide adequate humidity if possible — heating can be drying.

  • Paperwork & legal compliance: Ensure any bird you buy comes with the necessary documentation — CITES Article 10 certificate, identification like leg rings or microchip, and ideally hatch or breeding details. Without these, you may be breaking the law.

  • Transporting your bird home: Use a secure, well‑ventilated transport cage. Line it with soft bedding or towel. Keep travel smooth, avoid loud noises, and don’t feed during the journey (offer water). Once home, give the bird time to settle in quietly before interacting much.

Why Choosing Carefully Matters — and What to Do Next

Buying a Red‑Lored Amazon isn’t like buying a hamster or a goldfish — it’s a commitment to caring for an intelligent, long‑lived being for decades. That’s why choosing a responsible breeder or rescue, insisting on proper documentation, and preparing the right environment is crucial. As noted by The Parrot Society UK, buyers should beware of adverts that seem “too good to be true.” Vet the seller, ask for records, verify identification, and check the bird’s health and behaviour in person.

If you’re still excited — and prepared for a long-term journey — then perhaps the Red‑Lored Amazon will bring colour, noise, companionship, and joy to your home. Before you commit, you might want to visit a reputable breeder or aviary in the UK, ask the right questions, and see the bird in person.

You can explore available Red‑Lored Amazons and other parrots from reputable breeders at BT Aviary .

Whether you choose a baby just weaned, or an older bird needing a new home, giving one of these marvelous parrots a good life in the UK can be deeply rewarding. If handled with care, respect, and responsibility — you might gain a companion for life.

Learn More

Want more detail on the species’ natural history, diet or global status? You might enjoy the species overview at Wikipedia.
For in‑depth advice on parrot nutrition and care, the resources at PetMD and the educational pages of the World Parrot Trust are excellent.