Pionus

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Pionus
White-crowned Parrot, Pionus senilis
White-crowned Parrot, Pionus senilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Subfamily: Psittacinae
Tribe: Arini
Genus: Pionus
Wagler 1832
Species

P. menstruus
P. sordidus
P. maximiliani
P. senilis
P. tumultuosus
P. seniloides (species or subspecies)
P. chalcopterus
P. fuscus

Pionus is a genus of medium-sized parrots native to Central and South America. Characteristic of the genus are the chunky body, bare eye ring, (which can vary in color), and short tail. They are similar to Amazon parrots, but smaller. Coloration is generally subdued yet complex; under bright lighting, their feathers shimmer with iridescent brilliance. All species share a bright red patch of feathers under the tail; the scientific name of one species, the Blue-headed Pionus, (P. menstruus), refers to this. Males and females are similar, with no notable sexual dimorphism.

Contents

[edit] Species list

  • Blue-headed Parrot (or Blue-headed Pionus), Pionus menstruus
  • Red-billed Parrot (or Red-billed Pionus, Coral-billed Parrot, Coral-billed Pionus), Pionus sordidus
  • Scaly-headed Parrot (or Scaly-headed Pionus, Maximilian's Pionus, Maximilian's Parrot), Pionus maximiliani
  • White-crowned Parrot (or White-crowned Pionus), Pionus senilis
  • Speckle-faced Parrot (or Plum-crowned Pionus, Speckle-faced Pionus), Pionus tumultuosus
    • White-headed Pionus, may be classified as the subspecies, Pionus tumultuosus seniloides, but this is controversial and it is sometimes classified as the separate species, Pionus seniloides.[1][2]

[edit] Pets

Pionus parrots are regarded as excellent pets, although some species are very rare in captivity. Most commonly kept species are the Blue-headed, Maximillian (Scaly-headed) and White-Capped. Others, such as the Dusky and the Bronze-winged have become more common due to captive breeding.

Pionus parrots are known for their quiet (compared to many other parrots) and reserved natures.[3] Unlike some other companion parrots, aviculturists have noted that they are not particularly energetic, and do not generally enjoy hands-on play (for example, being flipped on their backs), but they do provide companionship and are described as gentle and charming pets.

When excited or frightened, birds of this genus emit a characteristic wheezing or snorting sound that is sometimes mistaken for a sign of distress, or a symptom of disease. They also give off a musky or sweet odor that some caretakers find unpleasant, but others enjoy.

Pionus parrots are susceptible to obesity, vitamin A deficiency, and aspergillosis in captivity. These conditions, with the exception of aspergillosis, are easily prevented.

[edit] Species photographs

Blue-headed Parrot

Red-billed Parrot

Scaly-headed Parrot

White-crowned Parrot

Speckle-faced Parrot or Plum-crowned Pionus
(Image requested)

Bronze-winged Parrot

Dusky Parrot

[edit] References

  1. ^ Proposal to split Pionus seniloides (Massena & Souancé,1854) from Pionus tumultuosus (Tschudi, 1844). The Louisiana Museum of Natural History (29 January 2004). Retrieved on 1 September 2007.
  2. ^ White-headed Pionus. Pionus Breeders Association (29 January 2004). Retrieved on 1 September 2007.
  3. ^ Alderton, David (2003). The ultimate encyclopedia of caged and aviary birds. Hermes House. ISBN 1-84309-164-X. 

[edit] External links