Amigo

Amigo is 26 years old and has spent much of that time participating in animal presentations. He is able to vocalise songs in English, Mandarin, and Malay, and can also count in two languages.

During training sessions with unfamiliar staff, however, he has been known to become selectively cooperative — occasionally omitting certain phrases or declining to perform particular behaviours altogether.

Once an audience is present, his consistency improves considerably. One gets the impression Amigo understands perfectly well when people are paying attention.

Away from presentations, Amigo enjoys showers and is sometimes heard vocalising during them, much to the amusement of his keepers. His preferred treats include fruit kebabs, especially those containing bananas and nuts.

Following the transition from Jurong Bird Park to Bird Paradise, Amigo adapted well to his new environment and larger habitat — settling in with very little hesitation, which is perhaps exactly what one would expect from a parrot accustomed to public attention.

The Yellow-Naped Amazon is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with wild populations collapsing primarily due to trapping for the pet trade and habitat destruction across Central America. Amigo is 26 years old, and with the right care, he could live to 50.

Through decades of presentations and guest encounters, he has helped raise awareness of parrots and the conservation challenges they face in the wild.