Blue Headed Parrot General Info
Let’s meet one of the rarer birds in the pet parrot world! The South American family of Pionus parrots is a diverse and distinct species. One of the best known of them is the Blue Headed Parrot, a unique, affectionate, and a pretty bird, often praised as an excellent pet parrot. Although, at first glance, it seems that they share some similarities with the Amazon parrots, these are entirely different birds. However, despite being a relatively unknown breed, these interesting parrots have been steadily becoming more and more popular as pets.
Blue Headed Parrot is not often seen as a pet, but their excellent traits have ensured a rise in popularity.
Native Region/Natural Habitat
Home for these exotic parrots is in humid, semi-open regions of Central and South America. They are commonly found in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Trinidad, Costa Rica and Venezuela. These birds are a popular species of the humid Amazonian basin and its sparse growth at the rainforest’s edge. They are also known to nest in somewhat drier regions close to Brazil’s Atlantic coast. They prefer nesting in holes in trees, and sometimes high in tree canopies.
Overall Description
When compared to its other avian relatives, the Blue Headed Parrot is a medium-sized pet bird. The adults reach an average length of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) and a weight of 9 ounces (250 grams). Visually, they share a few similarities with the Amazon parrots, although they are not related. The disproportionately large beak, the square, short tail and a robust build are just a few of the details that are similar. Still, the Pionus family of parrots is full of unique and sometimes peculiar traits that stand out from the crowd.
Speech and Sounds
One thing that makes these parrots a great pet bird is the low level of noise. If you’re living in an apartment and have always been worried about your pet being too loud for the neighbors, the Blue Headed Parrot might be a good choice. Like most parrots from the Amazon basin, they can be moderately good at talking and will develop a small vocabulary of up to 20 words. Their natural calls are short and not too loud, and, in general, these parrots are pretty quiet.
Colors
The stunning array of exotic colors is the chief pride of a Blue Headed Parrot. No matter the crowd, these beautiful birds will always be a great sight. The body is mostly bright, tropical green, with brownish tones on the top of the wings. The undertail is red, and the head, neck, and upper body are all striking blue. They have grey circles on their cheeks and white circles around the eyes. This varied and beautiful combination of details is a certain showstopper.
The Blue Headed Parrot has all the magnificent details of an exotic and beautiful bird.
Care and Feeding
In the wild, these parrots have a varied diet that consists of fruits, seeds, and grain. The Guava fruits are their favorites. For a good pet diet, you should look for a commercial seed based mix designed for Pionus or Amazon parrots. These mixes contain all the varied and necessary nutrients and vitamins. They are often not enough, so you’ll want to add a staple dose of fresh fruits and vegetables. Oranges, bananas, apples, cabbage, and carrots are some of the favorite snacks for large parrots and they are a good source of proteins.
Health and Common Conditions
When it comes to health, with the Blue Headed parrots you have nothing to be worried about. These robust and hardy parrots are easy to adapt and have a strong health base. Just provide them with enough attention and eliminate any potential threats like drafty and damp places, extreme temperatures and neglect. Additionally, regular showers, social interaction and free flight are a basis of good health for your parrot.
With just one look at their robust build, you will see that these hardy parrots are strong and healthy birds.
Personality & Behavior
In general, the Blue Headed Parrots is a big, affectionate, and calm bird. They don’t like any overly energetic playing like cockatoos for example, but simple, calm petting and playing with toys are sufficient entertainment. There’s a tendency to create deep bonds with a particular person, and this can last for a long time. With their moderately calm and docile temperament and a lifespan of up to 40 years, these parrots can be a great pet for singles or anyone who is looking for a temperate, sweet parrot who is easy to care for.
Photo credit: RLHambley/Shutterstock; mandritoiu/Shutterstock; Luiz Antonio Da Silva/Shutterstock
