New Unknown Blue-fronted Amazon Mutation
New Unknown Blue-fronted Amazon Mutation
This breathtakingly beautiful, un-described color mutation of the Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) was hatched on 5/6/04 at Voren's Aviaries Inc. It's the first Amazon mutation of its kind to be hatched in captivity. It came from a normal appearing pair that had been producing normal colored offspring for many years. In his travels, Voren had previously encountered two Amazon specimens with this same color mutation. The first was in 1980, a Yellow-crowned Amazon held at the Baranquilla Zoo in Colombia S.A. Several years later it was reported that the bird died at the zoo of unknown causes. The second was a decade later when he encountered a Yellow-naped Amazon that had been the long-term house pet of a cattle rancher in Olancho, Honduras. This incredible adult bird, with a full pink nape, was sent to the USDA Pet Bird Quarantine facility in Miami. Unfortunately, it tested positive for Newcastle virus and was denied entry. It was euthanized by the USDA when no one in Honduras could be contacted to gain the bird re-entry to that country.

The most notable characteristics are the changing of yellows to pinks and greens to browns. All blue coloration remains unchanged. The depth of the pink or brown is dictated by how deep the normal yellow or green coloration would have been. The bird has undergone full veterinary examination and blood work and is normal and healthy in every way. Its temperament is docile. Several feathers have been pulled and the new feathers exhibit the same color mutation characteristics.

At the current time, the Blue-front pictured below is believed to be the only living example of this unknown and amazing Amazon mutation in the world.

Serious inquiries regarding this unique, one of a kind mutation Amazon can be sent to bfa-amazon@voren.com



The outstanding blue suffusion on the breast is obscured by green in a normal colored bird.





Yellow markings are replaced by varying shades of pink.





This spectacular rear view shows the normally colored red wing speculum



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© 2004 Howard Voren
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