Blue-headed Parrot

The Blue-headed Parrot, or Blue-headed Pionus (Pionus menstruus), presents a striking figure with its predominantly green plumage, accented by a vivid blue head and neck. The red undertail coverts add a dash of contrasting color, making this medium-sized bird, at about 27 cm in length, a visual delight.

Identification Tips

To identify the Blue-headed Parrot, look for its distinctive blue head and neck, which stand out against the green body. The red undertail coverts are also a key feature. The upper mandible is black with hints of red. Juveniles have less blue on the head and may display red or pinkish feathers around the ceres. It takes them up to two years to fully develop the blue hood of the adult plumage.

Habitat

This species thrives in forests and semi-open country, including cultivated lands. It favors humid to semi-humid regions but can also be found in drier areas along rivers.

Distribution

The Blue-headed Parrot is a resident bird in tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, ranging from Costa Rica and Venezuela to Bolivia and Brazil, including the Caribbean island of Trinidad.

Behaviour

These parrots are known for their communal roosting habits, often gathering in large numbers in palm and other trees at dawn and dusk. They are considered noisy birds, yet when compared to other parrots such as amazons, they are relatively quiet.

Song & Calls

The Blue-headed Parrot emits light, high-pitched squeaking 'sweenk' calls, which are characteristic of their vocal repertoire.

Breeding

Breeding takes place in tree cavities, where the female lays a clutch of three to five white eggs. The incubation period lasts about 26 days, and the fledglings leave the nest approximately 70 days post-hatching.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of fruit, seeds, and occasionally grain. They are also known to consume flowers.

Conservation Status

The Blue-headed Parrot is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it currently does not face any significant threats to its population.