Saba is a green-cheeked Amazon (also known, for obvious reasons, as a Mexican Red Head). Some people consider Amazona viridigenalis to be the most beautiful of the Amazons, and we certainly would not argue with that assertion. He entered the household somewhat unexpectedly in 1994. While visiting Guy's dog veterinarian, Michael was informed that a vet clinic across the street was keeping a parrot who would be given away free to someone who could provide him with a good home. Michael went to see him, cleared everything with his previous owners, ordered a more suitable cage from Parrot's Inn, and a few days later, this beautiful bird became Saba Valinis. All of our other birds have been domestically bred and young when acquired, but Saba is an exception. He was about thirteen years old when we first met, a wild caught bird who had been in at least two previous households before entering ours. Saba acted very depressed for a long time. He just sat in his cage, would not come out, and didn't play with any of his toys. He would try to bite if anyone got near him. He is also not a very physically active bird, having a broken toe on his right foot which we believe impairs his mobility somewhat. This allegedly happened when an inexperienced vet tried to pry his toes apart while trimming his nails. When Sandy entered the household a few months later, she decided to work especially hard with him to see if he could become a happier, more domesticated bird.

Three years later, he is a much different bird, though the changes have not come easily. He is still something of a grouch. Sandy calls him "Andy Rooney with feathers." Though he still does not like to leave his cage completely, he happily climbs in and out during the hours when we are home and the cage door is open. We installed a perch on the outside of the cage nearest the living room where we spend much of our time, and he often sits there, watching us, calling to us, and generally being part of the family. He now will step up readily though he does not like to be handled much. If we lean close to him, he will preen our hair, and (in imitation of Sparky the cockatoo) will give us a kiss on the tip of the nose. This is always an interesting maneuver, because he sometimes nips a bit hard, but we are willing to take some small risks in order to encourage an interaction which he has originated. Saba is a one-food bird. At first he only wanted apples, then it was grapes to the exclusion of everything else. Then he would scream in the morning until he got the Nutriberries from his cereal/seed bowl. Lately he has decided that the most wonderful food in the world is corn (i.e., maize). He still eats his other foods to a certain extent, but only when every single kernel of corn has been thoroughly eviscerated and the skins scattered everywhere nearby, stuck to floor, walls, and cage bars. Another favorite is dried chili peppers. Saba gets a pepper each day as an evening treat, and his eyes literally flash as he tears them apart to get all the seeds. One activity that he unreservedly loves is his bath. He has to take it on top of his cage. After being soaked by a spray bottle, he will try to squeeze himself into his playpen water dish (We installed a bigger one, so that more of the bird would fit into it.) where he splashes and flaps in total abandon. In the midst of this he does his "eagle", spreading his wings up and out, stretching his neck upwards and screeching at the ceiling. Saba never learned to talk though there are occasions when we think that he might be trying. He is very fluent in Amazon, however, and we can usually tell when he is mad about something, excited that his senior flock members have come home from the office, or just saying "Thank you!" for his bowl of corn. He will probably never become a cuddle bird like Sparky, but having him as a member of our household has been a rewarding experience for all of us.

GREEN-CHEEKED AMAZON. Amazona viridigenalis Cassin. (Also known as the Mexican Red Head Amazon). From coastal Northeastern Mexico, in eastern Nuevo Léon, Tamaulipas, eastern San Luis Potosi, eastern Hidalgo and northern Veracruz. Length about 33 cm. Body green; forehead, lores, and upper part of the head bright red; occiput to nape blue; cheeks iridescent green; outer vanes of primaries blue, green toward base; red at the base of the outer vanes of the first five secondaries; tail yellowish green towards the tip; iris golden; bill yellowish; feet, legs pale grey. Feeds on fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, buds and flowers.