Many breeders and aviculturalists would agree that the Pionus species is one of the most underrated in the
bird world. Social, quiet, capable of idependence, and of medium size, these birds offer many wonderful qualities that often
go unnoticed by those who seek out their flashier and more popular cousins.
Blue headed pionus, or pionus menstruus, hail from the Amazon Basin, with a range northward to Panama and
Costa Rica. Sharing a native range along with Amazon parrots, these two species are very similar in some characteristics,
but very different in others.
Stocky and hardy, the blue headed pionus is known for its gentle nature; unlike their Amazon cousins, pionus
are much less likely to bite or have hormonal fluxes causing aggression.
Pionus love playing with their people, but are equally happy engaging in independent play, or watching the
happenings of the househould from a play gym. In this respect, they are an ideal companion bird. While they may enjoy contact
and head scritches, most pionus are less "hands on" birds than many other species. Many people feel that these birds have
the propensity to become "perch potatoes", although this should easily be avoided by providing adequate opportunites for play
through provision of a sizeable cage, perching options, and various foraging and interactive toys.
While not known for an exceptional talking ability, blue headed pionus can indeed develop good vocabularies,
although they do tend to be quite quiet talkers.
Two unusual characteristics of these wonderful birds are their subtle fruit-like odour and their tendency
to wheeze audibly when stressed or frightened.
If you've never met a pionus, it's hard to understand the magic that these birds possess. Once you've met
one, you'll be smitten. While less visibly flashy than macaws or lories, their blue heads, red chest wash, and varied green
tones on their body are absolutely incredible.
Pionus should be fed a diet with a base of high-quality pellets, supplemented with plenty of fresh vegetables,
fruits, and grains.
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