What Does DYH Mean for Parrots? Double Yellow Headed Amazon Basics

Updated

DYH stands for Double Yellow Headed Amazon — a large Amazon parrot named for the yellow feathers that extend across both the crown and the cheeks of a mature bird. If you are considering one as a pet, the short answer is: expect a big, loud, long-lived parrot that bonds strongly with its owner and needs decades of committed care. M&L Aviaries, a Canadian breeder listed at mlaviaries.com, describes itself as "A Canadian based Breeder of Double Yellow Headed Amazon Parrots," so it is a useful reference point for how DYH birds are sourced in Canada.

Why the Name "Double Yellow Headed"

Most Amazon parrots have some yellow on the head. The DYH is distinguished by how far that yellow spreads:

  • Single yellow-headed birds typically show yellow only on the crown.
  • Double yellow-headed birds show yellow on the crown and the cheeks or sides of the head, giving the "double" in the name.
  • The yellow develops with age. Young birds often show little or none of it, so a juvenile DYH may not look like the classic image of the species until it matures.

This matters if you are buying or reserving a bird: a young DYH's adult coloring is not fully visible yet, so you are relying on the breeder's identification of the species and lineage rather than on the bird's current appearance.

Key Traits and Care Needs

DYH Amazons are not a beginner's "set and forget" pet. The traits below are the ones that most affect daily life.

Dimension What to expect
Size Large parrot; a substantial cage is required, not a small-parrot setup
Noise Loud. Amazons are known for calling and for noisy periods, especially morning and evening
Lifespan Long — measured in decades, so this is a multi-decade commitment
Temperament Social and often strongly bonded to one person; can become nippy or territorial, particularly during hormonal periods
Stimulation Needs toys, foraging, out-of-cage time, and regular interaction to avoid boredom and behavioral problems
Diet Fresh vegetables, fruit, pellets, and limited seeds — not a seed-only diet

The practical takeaway: DYH ownership is closer to adopting a long-lived companion animal than to keeping a small cage bird. Noise and lifespan are the two factors most likely to make someone regret the decision, so weigh both honestly before committing.

What to Expect from a DYH as a Pet

  • Bonding: Many DYH Amazons pick a favorite person. Other household members may be tolerated rather than welcomed, which can be a problem in families expecting a bird that likes everyone equally.
  • Talking and vocalizing: Amazons are among the better talkers, but "can talk" is not a guarantee for an individual bird, and vocal ability comes with volume.
  • Hormonal behavior: Mature birds can go through seasonal periods of increased aggression or territoriality. This is normal for the species, not a defect.
  • Enrichment: A bored DYH is a loud, destructive DYH. Rotating toys and providing foraging opportunities is part of routine care, not an optional extra.

If your household is noise-sensitive, or if no one can commit to daily interaction for the bird's full lifespan, a DYH is likely the wrong choice.

Sourcing a DYH: Breeders, Pricing, and Reservations

Because DYH Amazons are a specific species with specific identification challenges, sourcing from a breeder who works with them regularly is the usual route. M&L Aviaries is one example: a Canadian-based breeder whose site is dedicated to Double Yellow Headed Amazon Parrots, with a "Pricing and Reservations" page at https://www.mlaviaries.com/pricing-and-reservations.html.

That page structure tells you what to expect from this kind of breeder:

  1. Pricing is quoted per bird or per reservation, not published as a general rate card in the site description — you need to check the pricing page or contact the breeder directly.
  2. Reservations imply limited availability. Breeding pairs produce a finite number of chicks per season, so reserving ahead is normal.
  3. Verify before committing. Confirm the species identification, the bird's age, health documentation, and what is included (cage, supplies, or bird only).

The site also references "King's Cages," a common cage brand for large parrots, which suggests cage sizing is part of the conversation when you inquire.

What to Verify Before You Commit

  • Species confirmation: Ask how the breeder identifies DYH versus other yellow-headed Amazons, especially for young birds.
  • Age and hand-rearing status: Hand-reared birds are typically more socialized to people; ask directly.
  • Health checks: Ask what veterinary checks, if any, are provided before pickup.
  • Cage requirements: Confirm the minimum cage size for a large Amazon and whether a cage is included or purchased separately.
  • Total cost: Price plus cage, perches, toys, food, and avian vet care adds up well beyond the bird itself.
  • Local legality and import rules: If you are crossing a border to acquire a bird, check the applicable wildlife and pet import requirements first.

For current pricing, availability, and reservation terms, go directly to the breeder's pricing page or contact them — those details change and are not fixed by the species itself.