Blue-headed parrot

The blue-headed parrot, also known as the blue-headed pionus (Pionus menstruus) is a medium large parrot. It is about 27 cm long and they are mainly green with a blue head and neck, and red under tail feathers.It is a resident bird in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America, from Costa Rica, Venezuela and Trinidad south to Bolivia and Brazil. It is named for its medium-blue head and neck.

Bird characteristics

The plumage of the adult Blue Headed Pionus is generally green. The head, neck and upper breast are a deep blue.  There is a red base on the feathers on their necks that show through.  They have black patches on their ear coverts (feathers covering the ears) and the undertail is red. There is some yellow on the wing coverts. Their bill is blackish with red at the sides.  The skin around their eyes (periophthalmic ring) is grey and their irides (= plural of iris) are a dark brown.  Their feet and legs are grey.Bird characteristics

Both males and females look alike. DNA or surgical sexing is recommended for those desiring to determine the gender. Immatures have less blue on the head. Younger birds have a reddish frontal band [a few red feathers right above the cere (nose)]

Bird characteristics

The number of red feathers varies greatly with individuals, and these red feathers usually fall out by the time the pionus is 3 months old and are completely gone by the time the pionus reaches 1 year of age. The blue color is close to complete at one year of age. However, the blue can increase in intensity until about the second year of age. When the pionus is 2 to 3 years old, they will have attained full adult coloring.Bird characteristics

Paler Blue Headed Parrot / Pionus:Description: Looks like the nominate species described and featured above, but this sub-species has a much duller blue to its head; and the red to throat is more marked. The green is generally darker. It averages 10.5 inches (27 cm) in length.Distribution: Southern Costa Rica, Panama, western Colombia, western EcuadorSpecies: Scientific: Pionus menstruus rubrigularis Sub-species

Reichenow's Blue-Headed Parrot:Description: Looks like the nominate species described and featured above, but generally has a deeper blue coloration. All green feathers are marked with blue, so this sub-species looks like a blue version of the nominate species. Its bill is horn-colored without a reddish tinge. It averages 10 inches (26 cm) in length.Distribution: Coastral north-eastern BrazilSpecies: Scientific: Pionus menstruus reichenowi . Sub-species

They feed on fruits, seeds, berries and blossom.  They are also considered "crop pests" as they cause considerable damage to cornfields. 

Diet/ Feeding

The breeding season usually commences in May. In their natural habitat, they nest in tree cavities.  A normal clutch consists of 3 to 4 (occasionally five) white eggs. The average incubation period is about 26 days. The young wean when they are about 12 weeks old and are usually independent by 3 months of age. They reach maturity at 2 to 4 years.Breeding

The Blue Headed Pionus is bred regularly in captivity and is moderately difficult to breed in captivity.During the breeding season, they can get noisy. If you have near-by neighbors who are sensitive to noise this should be a consideration when deciding to breed this species. They are breeding age when they are about 3 to 5 years old. In North America, the breeding season stretches from February or March to June or July.Breeding

Blue-headed Pionus Parrots are increasingly popular as pets. They are very affectionate and although they are not birds that particularly enjoy being cuddled, they do love a head scratch. They are quite independent birds, they are happy to amuse themselves with toys and food without constant attention from the owner. Well-socialized pionus parrots really enjoy interacting with people.Personality

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Geographic distribution

Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Brazil, northern Bolivia, central Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago.

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Galeria de fotos

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery

Ao leste do Andes, chega ao Peru, parte do Brasil até o norte de Bolívia. No Brasil vive principalmente na bacia do rio Amazonas, incluindo o sudeste do 

rio Araguaia.

Photo Gallery