| Blue-headed parrot | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Genus: | Pionus |
| Species: | P. menstruus
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| Binomial name | |
| Pionus menstruus (Linnaeus, 1766)
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| Synonyms | |
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Psittacus menstruus Linnaeus, 1766 | |
The blue-headed parrot, also known as the blue-headed pionus (Pionus menstruus) is a medium-sized parrot of about 27 cm (11 in) in length. The body is mostly green, with a blue head and neck, and red undertail coverts.[2] It is a resident in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America, from Costa Rica, Venezuela and the Caribbean island of Trinidad south to Bolivia and Brazil.
Its habitat is forest and semi-open country, including cultivated areas. It is largely restricted to humid or semi-humid regions, but locally extends into drier habitats, at least along rivers. The blue-headed parrot lays three to five white eggs in a tree cavity.
Blue-headed parrots are noisy birds and make light, high-pitched squeaking sweenk calls. They eat fruit and seeds, and sometimes grain. They roost communally in palm and other trees, and large numbers can be seen at the roost sites at dawn and dusk.
Blue-headed parrots are popular as pets.[2] Compared to other parrot species (like amazons) they are very quiet. They are affectionate, but not known for their talking ability.
- ^ BirdLife International (2021). "Pionus menstruus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T45429607A163789519. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T45429607A163789519.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b Alderton, David (2003). The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Caged and Aviary Birds. London, England: Hermes House. p. 229. ISBN 1-84309-164-X.