Pionus | |
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White-crowned parrot, Pionus senilis, at Macaw Mountain Bird Park, Honduras | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Psittaciformes |
Family: | Psittacidae |
Tribe: | Androglossini |
Genus: | Pionus Wagler, 1832 |
Type species | |
Psittacus menstruus (blue-headed parrot) Linnaeus, 1766 | |
Species | |
7-10, see text |
Pionus is a genus of medium-sized parrots native to Mexico, and Central and South America. Characteristic of the genus are the chunky body, bare eye ring (which can vary in color), and short square tail. They are superficially similar to Amazon parrots, but smaller, and in flight their wing-strokes are far deeper. Coloration is generally subdued yet complex compared to member species of the genus Amazona; under bright lighting, their feathers shimmer with iridescent brilliance. All species share 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.
The genus Pionus was introduced in 1832 by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler. [1] The name is from Ancient Greek piōn, pionos meaning "fat". [2] The type species was designated as the blue-headed parrot by George Robert Gray in 1840. [3]
A small number of authorities have suggested the blue-headed parrot should be split into two or three species.
The genus contains eight species. [4]
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue-headed parrot | Pionus menstruus (Linnaeus, 1766) | tropical South and Central America | Size: Mostly green, blue head and neck (also underparts in subspecies reichenowi). Red undertail coverts Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Red-billed parrot | Pionus sordidus (Linnaeus, 1758) | north-western South America | Size: Mostly green, chest dull blue, bill bright red. Red undertail coverts Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Scaly-headed parrot | Pionus maximiliani (Kuhl, 1820) Four subspecies
| eastern and central South America | Size: Primarily green head feathers that are edged in a royal blue. The chest can be anywhere from royal blue to indigo in color. Wings and back are mainly green, some birdsmay develop bronze 'epilets' on their shoulders. Red undertail/vent area. Feather in this area are tipped with a light green and in some cases aqua or violet. The beak is anywhere from black to horn in color, most birds having a two-tone beak. Skin is usually grey to pink. Habitat: Diet: | LC |
White-crowned parrot | Pionus senilis (Spix, 1824) | Mexico and Central America | Size: Mostly dark green and dark blue. White forehead and crown and whitish throat. Olive shoulder patch. Light green belly. Red undertail coverts. Males and females may have a pinkish eye ring. Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Plum-crowned parrot | Pionus tumultuosus (Tschudi, 1844) | Andes in South America | Size: Mostly green with dull bluish-grey neck and red undertail coverts. Head speckled red. Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Bronze-winged parrot | Pionus chalcopterus (Fraser, 1841) Two subspecies
| north-western South America | Size: Mostly dark blue with red undertail coverts. Wings dark bronze-green and throat pinkish. Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Dusky parrot | Pionus fuscus (Müller, 1776) | north-eastern South America | Size: Mostly dark brownish-grey, flight feathers blue and undertail coverts red Habitat: Diet: | LC |
White-capped parrot | Pionus seniloides (Massena & Souancé, 1854) | from western Venezuela through Colombia's Eastern Andes and both slopes of the Andes in Ecuador into northwestern Peru. | Size: Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Pionus parrots are regarded as excellent pets, although some species are very rare in captivity. Most commonly kept species are the blue-headed, Maximilian (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. [5] 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.
As a species, the Pionus naturally eats mostly fruits, especially guavas. Pet owners should take care to not feed their bird any high-fat foods. Pet stores often carry banana chips (which are good snacks for many other birds) that are fried in oil to make them crispy, but they contain too much fat for the Pionus and could result in high cholesterol or other health issues related to too much fat intake. [6]
Pionus owners should consult a knowledgeable veterinarian (preferably a South American exotic bird expert) on proper Pionus dietary needs.
Johann Georg Wagler was a German herpetologist and ornithologist.
A companion parrot is a parrot kept as a pet that interacts abundantly with its human counterpart. Generally, most species of parrot can make excellent companions, but must be carefully managed around other common pet species like dogs and cats as they might be hostile towards them.
The red-fan parrot, also known as the hawk-headed parrot, is a New World parrot hailing from the Amazon Rainforest. It is the only member of the genus Deroptyus.
The blue-and-yellow macaw, also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, is a large Neotropical parrot with a mostly blue dorsum, light yellow/orange venter, and gradient hues of green on top of its head. It is a member of the large group of neotropical parrots known as macaws. It inhabits forest, woodland and savannah of tropical Central and South America, as well as the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. They are popular in aviculture because of their striking color, ability to talk, ready availability in the marketplace, and close bonding to humans. It is the most commonly kept macaw species in captivity worldwide as a pet or companion parrot and is also the cheapest among the large macaws.
The blue-throated macaw, also known as the Caninde macaw or Wagler's macaw, is a macaw endemic to a small area of north-central Bolivia, known as Los Llanos de Moxos. In 2014 this species was designated by law as a natural patrimony of Bolivia. Until 2010, it was hunted by native people to make feathered "Moxeño" headdresses for "machetero" ritual dances.
The orange-winged amazon, also known locally as orange-winged parrot and loro guaro, is a large amazon parrot. It is a resident breeding bird in tropical South America, from Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago south to Peru, Bolivia and central Brazil. Its habitat is forest and semi-open country. Although common, it is persecuted as an agricultural pest and by capture for the pet trade. It is also hunted as a food source. Introduced breeding populations have been reported in Puerto Rico and Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
The blue-headed parrot, also known as the blue-headed pionus is a medium-sized parrot of about 27 cm (11 in) in length. The body is mostly green, with a blue head and neck, and red undertail coverts. It is a resident in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America, from Costa Rica, Venezuela and the Caribbean island of Trinidad south to Bolivia and Brazil.
The horned parakeet is a species of parrot in the genus Eunymphicus, in the family Psittaculidae. It is a medium-sized parrot endemic to New Caledonia. It is called "horned" because it has two black feathers that protrude from the head and have red tips.
The gray-headed lovebird or Madagascar lovebird is a small species of parrot of the lovebird genus. It is a mainly green parrot. The species is sexually dimorphic and only the adult male has grey on its upper body. They are native on the island of Madagascar and are the only lovebird species which are not native on the African continent. They are the smallest of the lovebird species. It is rarely seen in aviculture and it is difficult to breed in captivity.
The black-lored parrot also known as the Buru green parrot, is a parrot endemic to the Indonesian island of Buru. It is a 40 cm (16 in) long green parrot with black lores, and a turquoise crown. Males have red beaks, and females are gray-brown. The singing is high pitched and more protracted as compared to similar species, such as great-billed parrot.
The blue-naped parrot, also known as the blue-crowned green parrot, Luzon parrot, the Philippine green parrot, and locally known as pikoy, is a parrot found throughout the Philippines.
The jandaya parakeet or jenday conure is a small Neotropical parrot with green wings and tail, reddish-orange body, yellow head and neck, orange cheeks, and black bill, native to wooded habitats in northeastern Brazil. It is a member of the Aratinga solstitialis complex of parakeets very closely related to, and possibly subspecies of the sun parakeet.
Hydropsalis is a genus of nightjars in the family Caprimulgidae. The species are widely distributed across the tropical and subtropical regions of the New World.
The red lory is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is the second-most commonly kept lory in captivity, after the rainbow lorikeet.
The violet-necked lory is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to Indonesia, where it is found in the northern Maluku Islands and west Papuan islands. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and tropical mangrove forests.
The black-headed parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. Other colloquial names are black-crowned parrot, black-capped parrot, black-headed caique, and for subspecies P. m. pallidus, pallid caique. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
The dusky parrot or dusky pionus is a medium-sized mainly dark brownish-gray parrot of the genus Pionus in the true parrot family.
The red-billed parrot, also known as coral-billed pionus or red-billed pionus, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Eos is a genus of parrots belonging to the lories and lorikeets tribe of the family Psittaculidae. There are six species which are all endemic to islands of eastern Indonesia, most within very restricted ranges. They have predominantly red plumage with blue, purple or black markings. Males and females are similar in appearance.
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