Amazon The popular Amazon, or "green parrot," is what many people picture when they think of parrots. As the nickname suggests, most Amazons are largely green, with red, yellow, blue or white feathers on the head, wings or tail to differentiate the 27 species. The most unusual Amazon may be the rare Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis), a cockatoo-size bird with purple breast feathers found only on the small Caribbean island of Dominica. Most Amazons, including the dozen or so species kept as pets, come from South and Central America. These include the double yellow-headed (Amazona ochrocephala oratrix), blue-fronted (Amazona aestiva), yellow-nape (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata) and mealy (Amazona farinosa) Amazons. 

Countries of origin: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Grand Cayman Island, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela. Size: Medium to large, with stocky build, relatively short wings and square tail. Less than 10 inches long and 200 grams for white-fronted, (Amazona albifrons) to almost 18 inches and 800 grams, or almost two pounds (Imperial Amazon). 

Personality: Energetic, curious and affectionate. Can be stubborn and occasionally aggressive. Mealies are considered the most even tempered. Voice ranges from soft "growls" to ear-splitting shrieks. Talking ability: Considered second only to the African grey. Best bets: double yellow-headed, yellow-nape or blue-fronted. 

Average lifespan: 50-60 years, up to 100.