I have seen many hybrid zons. Most of the ones I have handled were sweethearts. I think the reason why someone would do it on porpouse would be for personality rather than looks. Hybrid macaws are probably more common because of the bright colors and variety of them.

I agree with Joanie, amazons are mis understood many times. They are more independant, and a mature zon can be tricky hormonaly, but I personally am addicted. I cant wait one day to have a house full of them Just like Joanie!

I'll be casa amazona dos

They are loyal and loving and respectful if you take the time to learn them and treat them with the same. My zons are def. different than my macaw or any other bird I have, but in many ways, our relationships are much more rewarding because of the work that goes into building the bond. Their body languange is fascinating and they smell great!!!

Amazons get their reputation the old-fashioned way: they've earned it! Male amazons can be a holy terror by the time they hit their teens (from sexual frustration)) and the females can be as sweet as honey or the meanest birds ever (same as males: sexual frustration). So much so that there are rescues that will not take male Amazons, period, and request DNA sexing. But it all depends on the guardian's husbandry because if you keep them on their terms, they are no trouble at all. Quite the contrary! These are birds that are extremely healthy from a psychological point of view, good eaters, good bathers, independent and never clingy. Who could ask for anything more?!

Hormones play a big part in the make-up of male 'zons. They can be just wonderful, but when they get hormonal it's almost as though they go into a trance and become completely protective of their territory. In doing so, they can be quite aggressive against anything they perceive as a potential threat. This includes launching themselves to attack passers-by. This behavior is hard-wired into them and is a hormonal issue.

Rico is an extremely sweet male 'zon. However, whenever a female 'zon gets anywhere near him he is transformed into a bundle of flaring, fluffing, pinpointing male 'zonnish energy. When he's this way I simply leave him alone until he returns to normal. If it's necessary to interact with him (changing cage papers, etc.), I do so without ever losing awareness of his condition. You'd be amazed how quickly a person can jump backwards under the right/wrong circumstances, LOL.

As to the females, I've truly only met one female 'zon who didn't seem interested in being friendly.

Living successfully with 'zons is a lot about observing their body language and being courteous to them. If Rico is protecting his nest area, I leave him alone if at all possible (while sweet talking him from a distance). Liza Loo isn't a morning bird (I can SO relate.), so I wait a bit to give her kisses. Adora doesn't want to be handled when strangers are in the room, so I don't try to do so, waiting until we're alone to cuddle. Abigail adores head skritches but doesn't want any other part of her body touched, so we do loads of head skritches and kisses and leave the rest alone. Scarlett O'Birdie (more about whom later) is very shy but friendly, so I move slowly with him and observe his bed time. Rosita is just a gorgeous mess. When she loves, she loves hard; when she sings, she does so with great gusto and no talent whatsoever; when she talks, it's with enthusiasm; whens she bites -- God help you, 'cause she bites HARD. I handle her (and all my flock) with dignity and we get along well.

Did I mention that 'zons smell really, really good??? They do!

Well, you seem to be an excellent amazon guardian! What you just described is exactly the way to handle them: each one on their individual terms. It works for all birds, actually, and it really should be the only way to treat any and all captive birds but while you can get away with pushing Grays and macaws, for example, to the human's way and timing of doing things, with Amazons, there is no way you can do that. It is their way or the biteway! LOL -

One thing that helps A LOT is to keep them to a strict natural daylight schedule because they only get hormonal during breeding season.

And, yes, they do smell differently and better than other species.

With amazons, if you bred a yello wnape with a crown head or whatever, the out come would be devestating. Although I dont advocate breeidng hybrids of macaws, but atleast your abl;e to tell the difference between a hybrid macaw and a pure. With a amazon.. Like mexican red head or crowned or whatever, the outcome my make it look pure. I wouldnt want that at all.. Most people probably would want it either. The reason why they do it with macaws, is for the color and maybe the personality, but its all about colors to most people who want a bird.