Pionus

Pionus is a genus of medium-sized parrots native to Central and South America. Characteristic of the genus are the chunky body, bare eye ring, (which can vary in color), and short tail. They are superficially similar to Amazon parrots, but smaller. Coloration is generally subdued yet complex; under bright lighting, their feathers shimmer with iridescent brilliance. All species share a the bright red undertail coverts; the scientific name of one species, the Blue-headed Parrot (P. menstruus), refers to this. Males and females are similar, with no notable sexual dimorphism.

Classification

• Blue-headed Parrot (or Blue-headed Pionus), Pionus menstruus
• Red-billed Parrot (or Red-billed Pionus, Coral-billed Parrot, Coral-billed Pionus), Pionus sordidus
• Scaly-headed Parrot (or Scaly-headed Pionus, Maximilian's Pionus, Maximilian's Parrot), Pionus maximiliani
• White-crowned Parrot (or White-crowned Pionus), Pionus senilis
• Speckle-faced Parrot (or Speckle-faced Pionus), Pionus tumultuosus
• Plum-crowned Parrot (or Plum-crowned Pionus), Pionus (tumultuosus) tumultuosus
• White-capped Parrot (or White-headed Pionus), Pionus (tumultuosus) seniloides
• Bronze-winged Parrot (or Bronze-winged Pionus), Pionus chalcopterus
• Dusky Parrot (or Dusky Pionus), Pionus fuscus

Pets

Pionus parrots are regarded as excellent pets, although some species are very rare in captivity. Most commonly kept species are the Blue-headed, Maximillian (Scaly-headed) and White-capped. Others, such as the Dusky and the Bronze-winged have become more common due to captive breeding.

Pionus parrots are quieter than Amazon Parrots. Unlike some other companion parrots, aviculturists have noted that they are not particularly energetic, and do not generally enjoy hands-on play (for example, being flipped on their backs), but they do provide companionship and are described as gentle and charming pets.

When excited or frightened, birds of this genus emit a characteristic wheezing or snorting sound that is sometimes mistaken for a sign of distress, or a symptom of disease. They also give off a musky or sweet odor that some caretakers find unpleasant, but others enjoy.

Pionus parrots are susceptible to obesity, vitamin A deficiency, and aspergillosis in captivity. These conditions, with the exception of aspergillosis, are easily prevented.

Species

Species
Common and binomial names	Image	Description	Range
Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus)		Mostly green, blue head and neck. Red undertail coverts	South America
Red-billed Parrot (Pionus sordidus)		Mostly green, maroon belly ()	South America
Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani)		Mostly green, specked head. Red undertail coverts	South America
White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis)		Mostly dark green and dark blue. White forehead and crown and whitish throat. Olive shoulder patch. Light green belly. Red undertail coverts	South America
Speckle-faced Parrot and Plum-crowned Pionus (Pionus tumultuosus)		Sometimes split into two species. ()	South America
Bronze-winged Parrot (Pionus chalcopterus)		Mainly dark bronze-green with red undertail coverts. The rump, tail and wings are dark blue and head is dark blue-green.	South America
Dusky Parrot (Pionus chalcopterus)		Mostly grey, blue tail feathers with red undertail coverts	South America

References

External links

• Pionus owner's web page
• Pionus info from Upatsix.com