Pionus spp. parrots are native to regions of Mexico, Central America, and/or South America. The specific range varies with the species (Table 1).^4-7,13,15,18

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Tribe: Arini = New World parrots

Family: Psittacidae

Blue-breasted parrot (Pionus reichenowi)

Blue-headed, blue-hooded, or red-vented parrot (Pionus menstruus)

P. m. menstruus

P. m. rubrigularis (smaller, duller blue, some have red on throat)

P. m. reichenowi (deeper, more extensive blue coloration; horn-colored beak)

Bronze-winged parrot (P. chalcopterus)

Dusky or violet parrot (P. fuscus)

Red or coral-billed parrot (P. sordidus)

Scaly-headed (Maximilian’s) parrot (P. maximiliani)*

Subspecies vary mainly in the color of their upper breast

P. m. melanoblepharus (upper breast mainly darker blue)

P. m. siy (reddish purple)

P. m. lacerus (bluer reddish-purple)

Speckle-faced or plum-crowned parrot (P. tumultuosus)

White-headed, white-capped, or Massena’s parrot (P. seniloides)**

White-crowned parrot (P. senilis)

*Maximilian’s Pionus is a reference to Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, a nobleman and naturalist who explored southeastern Brazil in the early 19th century.²¹

** The white-headed or Massena’s parrot has sometimes been described as a subspecies of the plum-crowned parrot: Pionus tumultuosus seniloides (Warden). Some, more recent classification schemes list the white-headed parrot separately as P. seniloides.²

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List describes the blue-headed parrot (P. menstruus) population to be stable. The blue-headed parrot is common in a wide range of habitats over an immense area.^15,18 Unfortunately, the populations of many other Pionus spp. are decreasing (Table 2). Although many species have a Red List assessment of “least concern”, the blue-breasted parrot (P. reichenowi) is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.¹⁴

When compared to other South American parrots, Pionus spp. are not as common in the pet trade ³, however the blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus), white-crowned parrot (P. senilis), dusky parrot (P. fuscus), and bronze-winged parrot (P. chalcopterus) are relatively popular companion birds in the United States.^{3,4,6,16,22,24} The scaly-headed parrot (P. maximiliani) is also fairly common.^{7,16,18,22,24} Other Pionus spp., such as the red-billed parrot (P. sordidus), speckle-faced parrot (P. tumultuosus), and white-headed parrot (P. seniloides), are relatively uncommon to rare in aviculture.^16,18

Pionus parrots are often described as “small Amazon parrots” because of their stocky builds and often short, square tails.^4-7, These medium-sized parrots have a prominent, featherless cere, and a relatively large bill.^3, Compared to some psittacine species, their coloration is often quite subdued or subtle, however, under bright lighting, their feathers shimmer with iridescence. Many Pionus also have large, bare eye rings and all species possess bright red undertail coverts.^4-7,

Table 2. Physical characteristics of select Pionus parrots 1,3-7,11,15,18,20,24
Pionus species	Blue-headed	Bronze-winged	Dusky	Scaly-headed	White-crowned
Click thumbnail image to enlarge
Body weight (average) grams	230-260 4,18,24 234-295 3	180-210 5,18 265-275 24	180-230 3,6,18,24	180-210 7 230-293 3,18,24	180 18 220-230 3,24
Length cm (in)	23-28 (9-11)	25-29 (10-11.5)	24-28 (9-11)	27-29 (10.5-11)	24-26 (9-10)
Overall	Bright green body, deep blue head	Mostly dark blue-green or blueish-purple; green with bronze back	Mainly dark, brownish-gray	Varying shades of green, feathers are edged with bluish-gray	Mostly dark green and dark blue
Head	Bright sapphire blue	Green head; deep blue crown, back of head, upper head; pale chin patch	Dull blue-gray with red patch at base of the bill and purplish blue chin	Primarily brownish-green head feathers edged in gray to blue creating a subtle “scaly” appearance	Dark blue with white forehead and crown
Bill	Dark colored with red-pink patches at the base on either side of the upper bill	Pale yellow	Dark gray with a yellow patch at the base of the upper bill	Most birds having a two-tone or mottled beak: yellowish horn turning to dark gray at the base, pale tip	Yellow or pale-colored
Eye ring	Blue-tinged	Bare pinkish eye ring becomes dark peach to pink-orange (coral) in adults	Pale	Light colored	White to pale pink becoming pink-orange (coral) in adults
Ear coverts	Black	Dark blue to black	Black with streaky pale patch	Green	Dark blue
Throat	Bright sapphire blue with a pink-red base	White throat patch above variable pinkish-red patches; upper neck is deep blue	Indistinct or streaked dusky white to pinkish collar	Bluish-purple band running across ventral throat	White patch
Breast	Upper breast is green, tinged with olive brown and blue edging	Upper parts of breast dark blue; pale pink to dark peach and orange on upper breast	Brown barred with wine red or reddish-blue	Becoming lighter and more bronze-brown along ventrum	Dark green (upper breast) to bluish green (lower breast)
Undertail coverts	Bright red tipped with green	Bright red	Purplish red (tail feathers are also red below with a blue band)	Bright red	Pinkish-red
Tail		Cobalt blue	Bright violet	Green
Wings	Green	Dark bronze-green with iridescent aqua blue underwing coverts	Blue flight feathers with iridescent silver blue underwing coverts	Green with bronze shoulder patches in some individuals	Olive shoulder patch
Juvenile	Similar coloring with much less blue, some red on forehead	Less colorful than adults, dark blue-green with paler brown upper wing coverts, may have some red on the forehead and under the chin	Less obvious patches on the cheeks, may have some red on forehead; little or no streaky patch on neck; green on secondaries as well as flight feathers coverts	Less extensive blue on throat, less distinct margins on head	Narrow white band on forehead, green head faintly tinged blue; yellow-green undertail coverts chin, throat, breast/ yellowish-green undertail coverts

A healthy diet for a companion Pionus parrot should consist of a formulated diet, supplemented with fresh, vitamin A-rich vegetables and some fruit.²² If table food is offered, the owner should be particularly cautious of dietary fat intake.²² Clinically, these birds are similar to Amazon parrots as they may be prone to obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and other adverse effects associated with high dietary fat.²²

A study of free-ranging scaly-headed parrots in Brazil found their diet consisted mostly of native seeds (70.4%), followed by flowers (20.3%), corn from farms near their forest habitat, and fruit pulp.¹²

Although the enclosure should be as large as possible, at minimum, a Pionus parrot should be provided with a medium-sized parrot cage measuring at least 50 x 60 x 100 cm (20 x 24 x 40 inches).¹⁶ Bar spacing should be 2.2 cm (7/8-in) for most Pionus species.¹⁶ Smaller birds, such as dusky parrots and white-crowned parrots, should have no more than 1.8 cm (3/4-in) space between bars.¹⁶

Bathing is a favorite activity and daily misting, showers, or baths is recommended.

Personality

Pionus parrots tend to have a gentle disposition.^3,13,16,23 Pionus have a reputation for being relatively quiet, or least less noisy than larger parrots, but of course Pionus spp. are capable of making loud vocalizations, particularly during the early morning and late afternoon hours or during the breeding season.^4-7,16,22,23 Males are believed to be more vocal than females.¹⁶ The dusky parrot is also thought to be the noisiest of Pionus spp.³

Pionus also tend to be shy birds.^4-7,13 They are often nervous in a hospital setting but are generally not as aggressive or territorial as mature Amazon parrots.^17,22

Pionus parrots are relatively independent companion birds.¹⁶ They usually do not seek or accept a large amount of handling or cuddling.¹⁶ The scaly-headed parrot is believed to be the most sedate or easy going Pionus species.¹⁶ The white-crowned parrot (Pionus senilis) may be the most aggressive Pionus spp., requiring a more experienced owner.^3,16

As with most psittacine birds, aggression may be more likely to occur during the breeding season.¹⁶ An aggressive Pionus may ‘strut’, fanning its tail feathers and raising its head feathers as it slowly stalks back and forth.¹⁶ A bird exhibiting this display may bite if approached.¹⁶

Response to stress

Pionus parrots are unique among parrots in their response to external stressors.¹⁶ When frightened or upset, Pionus produce respiratory noises that can be misinterpreted as snorting and snuffling, wheezing, rattling, hyperventilation, or dyspnea but these signs resolve within minutes when the stressful stimulus is removed.^3,16,22 These sounds can be disconcerting for even the experienced avian veterinarian ³, but there should be no nasal discharge or other physical signs of disease.²² This respiratory noise is also produced with the mouth closed.^17,23

Mimicry

Pionus parrots are considered intelligent birds but they are not considered the “best talkers”.^13,16,23 These birds tend to mimic household sounds or repeat words in a somewhat garbled fashion.^13,16 Pionus spp. may also speak in “an exceptionally soft voice”.¹⁶ Among Pionus spp., scaly-headed, dusky, and white-crowned parrots are often considered the best talkers.³

Pionus may be restrained by holding the head between index and middle fingers. Support the body with palm of the hand as well as the thumb and little finger. Beware of the Pionus “snuffle” (See Behavior above).

Use a 25-gauge needle and 1 to 3-ml syringe to draw blood from the right jugular vein. Collection of up to 1% of body weight is acceptable in healthy patients.

Non-infectious disease

As in Amazon parrots, obesity or malnutrition is a common disorder in Pionus spp.^4-7,16,22 Hepatic lipidosis may develop, which can progress to cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver.²²

Like any neotropical parrot, Pionus parrots are also susceptible to respiratory aspergillosis.^4-7,16,22

Infectious diseases

Depending on environmental conditions, sinus infections and chronic upper respiratory disease can be common, particularly when the diet is deficient in vitamin A.^4-7,22 Bacterial, fungal, and mycoplasma infections are all common causes of chronic upper respiratory diseases in Pionus parrots.²²

Like other New World psittacine birds, Pionus spp. are susceptible to Chlamydophila.^4-7,16,22

Reported conditions

• A non-Candida albicans species, C. krusei, was identified in six birds exhibiting clinical signs associated with diarrhea, regurgitation, and melena, including one white-crowned parrot.⁹
• Mycobacteriosis involving the gastrointestinal tract is reportedly seen with greatest frequency in Pionus and Amazona species.¹⁰
• Fatal proventricular dilatation disease was described in one captive scaly-headed parrot in Brazil.⁸
• Prior to 1992 when psittacine birds were commonly imported (or smuggled) into the United States, avian pox virus was a very common finding in Pionus parrots.^4-7,22
• Avian polyomavirus infection is often fatal in pre-weaning aged chicks.²²
• Feather damaging behavior ^4-7
• Toe necrosis ^4-7

• Obtain a complete history and perform a thorough annual physical examination.
• Establish baseline data with regular clinical testing (complete blood count, protein electrophoresis, and plasma biochemistries.
• Ensure proper husbandry.
• Pionus spp. often fall and injure themselves with severe wing trims. Clip only the primary flight feathers and only enough so the bird can glide to the floor.^4-7

For additional information, visit the review article Grooming Companion Birds and the RACE-approved webinar recording Flight Mechanics and Ethical Concerns.

• Recommend quarantine of newly acquired birds.
• Perform additional testing for select diseases based on history and physical exam findings: avian polyomavirus and chlamydiosis.
• Determine the origin and history of newly acquired sick birds to contain and prevent further spread of disease.
• Birds housed in large groups or aviaries are at higher risk of Pacheco’s disease virus and use of the vaccine may be indicated.
• The avian polyomavirus vaccine is recommended for breeding populations.