Blue-headed Pionus Parrot

Size- Blue-headed pionus are 11 inches long and weigh 230-295 grams.

Life span- 30-45 years

Diet- Pionus feed upon fruit, seeds, flowers and sometimes grain.

Geographic range- They are native to Central and South America from Costa Rica to Bolivia and Central Brazil, East to eastern Ecuador and eastern Peru.

Habitat- They inhabit rainforests, deciduous forests and cultivated areas.

Reproduction- Females lay 3-4 eggs in nests within tree cavities. As with all parrots, the young are altricial and fully dependant upon their parents as they are born without feathers and with their ears and eyes closed. Fledgling plumage differs from the adults as they do not have full blue heads; instead their head feathers are various shades of green, red and blue. It takes about one year for the young to develop the intense blue coloration.

Special adaptations- Like most parrots, Pionus have large beaks for their head-size. Their large beaks are powerful and allow them to crack open seeds and nuts. They will also use their beaks for self-defense and as a third limb to help them climb.

Behavior- Pionus forage for food at the top of the forest canopy during the day and rest in communal roosts at night. This means they sleep with an entire flock of Pionus parrots at night in a particular spot, such as a large tree. They are calm and relatively quiet parrots and have a unique wheezing sound when they are frightened or excited.