2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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 Ecuador
Species: Scientific: Pionus menstruus rubrigularis
Sub-species
7. 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 Brazil
Species: Scientific: Pionus menstruus reichenowi .
Sub-species
8. They feed on fruits, seeds, berries
and blossom. They are also
considered "crop pests" as they
cause considerable damage to
cornfields.
Diet/ Feeding
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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.
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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