Plum-crowned Parrots

Information on the Pionus, Pet Qualities & Care ... Photo Gallery ... Common Diseases and Disorders ... Pionus Parrot Incubation Data

The Plum-crowned Parrot (Pionus tumultuosus) is known under a variety of names, including Plum-headed Parrot, White-capped Parrot, White-headed Parrot or Speckle-faced Parrot.

The Plum-crowned parrot is probably the most rare and most controversial of the Pionus genus. It is sometimes split into two species, in which case the southern Pionus tumultuosus is referred to as Speckle-faced Parrot, Plum-crowned Parrot or Plum-crowned Pionus, while the northern Pionus seniloides is referred to as the White-capped Parrot or White-headed Pionus (leading to easy confusion with Pionus senilis).

Distribution / Range:

This parrot is native to La Paz and Cochabamba in northern Bolivia, northeast to eastern Cajamarca and southwest Amazonas, northwest Peru. The populations are fragmented in their range and groups of them can be found in South Colombia, Northwest Venezuela and Ecuador, as well as Northwest and East Peru and Cochabamba.

The prefer forest areas in temperate zones and adjoining cultivated areas with trees at altitudes ranging between 6,700 ft (2,000 m) and 9,300 ft (2,800 m). These parrots can occasionally be seen foraging in cultivated areas and banana plantations.

Seasonal migration patterns have been observed.

Their numbers have been declining in some areas due to deforestation and loss of habitat, and they are now generally rare.

Description:

The Plum-crowned Parrot averages 10.8 - 11.5 inches (27 - 29 cm) in length and weighs around 8.75 oz or 250 g.

The plumage is mostly green. The abdomen and sides of its body are yellowish-green. The forehead, lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head) and sides of the head are wine-red. All feathers are whitish at the base. The crown and back of the head are dark red. The nape, side of the neck, ear-coverts and the breast are purple-red turning brownish grey-blue on the breast. The under tail-coverts are red with yellowish-green edging to the tips. The primary wing feathers and flight-feathers are green. The under wing-coverts and underside of the flight-feathers are dull green. The middle tail-feathers are green. The outer tail-feathers have dull violet-blue tips and a red base. The bill is olive-yellow. They have grey eye rings and brown irises. The feet are grey.

Young birds have a green nape. The back of the crown, chin, cheeks and the breast are also green. The under tail-coverts are yellowish-green with pink edging. They have dark irises.

Plum-crowned parrots are described as being skittish in the wild as well as in captivity.

Aviculture:

This species is virtually nonexistent in aviculture. There is only one small, privately-held collection in the United States and the Loro Parque Fundación in Tenerife also has some specimens.

The majority of the plum-crowned parrots imported into the United States fell victim to aspergillosis - probably brought on by the stress experienced during the importation process.

Breeding / Nesting:

The breeding season usually commences in November or December and the young fledge in February/March. During this time, the Plum-crowned Parrots are often seen in small groups and flocks - occasionally also larger gatherings. While foraging they are quiet and approachable. At other times, they are shy and alert. They are well camouflaged in the foliage.

Calls / Vocalization:

Their call sounds similar to that of the Red-billed Pionus (Pionus seniloides). They are described as distinctive. When alarmed, they fly off loudly screeching. Those made in flight are smooth notes with a laughing quality, or harsher sounds. While perched, they emit nasal tones.

Personality / Care:

Pionus parrots are gentle in nature and make loving, devoted companions. Although with rare parrots, such as plum-crowns, it is preferred to place them into a well-managed breeding / conservation program to ensure their long-term survival. Once a significant number in captivity has been established, the young can be placed into pet bird situations.

Pionus parrots are appreciated for their sweet and fun disposition, easy-going personality and intelligence. These qualities make this parrot a good choice for first-time parrot owners and a wonderful family pet. It is also an excellent choice for apartment dwellers, due to their calm personality and easy maintenance. Owners describe them as inquisitive and sociable parrots that are easily tamed. They are less apt to bite than other parrot species. With a little bit of training, some may learn to mimic (although not all learn to talk!). They enjoy frequent baths as this helps to keep their plumage in good condition. A medium-sized parrot cage is acceptable for a pionus - but larger is always better, as they are energetic parrots. Toys, to keep them entertained, are always a must. They seem to be particularly fond of swings.

The Pionus parrots are devoted to their owners and thrive on attention - however, some of them, particularly males, may bond with one person and aggressively protect that person from perceived dangers, including other family members. They are active by nature and may become overweight if closely confined. Even though these parrots are less noisy birds than other parrots, they do make light, high-pitched squeaking calls that might annoy those who are sensitive to noise.

Caring for Your Pionus:

The Pionus is a very active parrot and needs the largest space that your home can accommodate -- ideally, this parrot should be able to fly from perch to perch, especially so if the pionus is kept in the cage most of the day. This being said, however roomy the cage, every bird should be allowed to be out of the cage for a minimum of three hours each day. Many birds can spend a good deal of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. As they are not strong chewers, durable cage construction is not as critical as it would be for the largest species of parrots. They are technically inclined and learn to open locks pretty quickly and locks or escape-proof latches may be recommended.

When setting up your pionus, please visit this website: How to Keep Your Pet Parrot Happy and Healthy for ideas and recommendations.

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Once they have learned a behavior such as stepping up they are very obedient and will remain steady in their training.  

• Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.


• If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
  
  • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
    • Stop Biting
    • Perform Tricks &
    • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
  • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

Grooming

Diet:

The Pionus parrot should be provided a high-quality seed mix, a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, such as berries and apples. Some breeders suggest a pelleted diet*, such as Pretty Bird High Protein or Daily Select as staple diets for Pionus parrots; they will tend to waste less food if fed small-sized pellets, such as Pretty Bird Daily Select Small. I personally prefer unprocessed food as I am concerned about chemicals / additives and also because synthetic supplements usually added to formulated diets are never as good as the nutrients found in natural food. Some supplementation may still be necessary if a variety of nutrient-rich food is not accepted by a bird or not provided by the keeper. One of the most nutrient-dense food items that you can feed your birds and are usually eagerly accepted by birds (even picky ones!) are sprouted seeds.

Sprouted or germinated seeds are usually more easily accepted by "seed addicts" than fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Sprouted seeds are healthier as the sprouting changes and enhances the nutritional quality and value of seeds and grains. Sprouted seeds are lower in fat, as the process of sprouting utilizes the fat in the seed to start the growing process - thus reducing the fat stored in the seeds.
• Sprouted seeds will help balance your bird’s diet by adding a nutritious supply of high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.
• Soaked and germinated "oil" seeds, like niger and rape seeds, are rich in protein and carbohydrates; while "starch" seeds, such as canary and millets, are rich in carbohydrates, but lower in protein.
• It is an invaluable food at all times; however, it is especially important for breeding or molting birds. Sprouted seeds also serve as a great rearing and weaning food as the softened shell is easier to break by chicks and gets them used to the texture of seeds.

*Please note: When feeding pellets to your pet, please be aware of the fact that overly feeding citrus fruits (including oranges) or vitamin-C-rich foods to your birds can lead to "Iron Overload Disease" as vitamin C increases the amount of iron absorbed from foods and supplements.

As is the case with most parrot species, their diet should include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables daily to add nutrition and psychological enrichment. Their food intake should be monitored as overfeeding can lead to selective feeding and wasteful throwing of food. Pionus parrots should be fed little to no sunflower or safflower seeds. Vitamin supplements are not needed for birds that are eating a formulated diet. However, if the base diet is seed-based, a good avian supplement should be given to prevent deficiency diseases. Such supplements should be added to soft food items rather than adding them to the water, as this dilutes the vitamins and water-soluble vitamins break down rapidly. Also, water containing sweetened vitamins is a good growth medium for bacteria. On the other hand, supplements sprinkled over seeds are usually lost when the bird shells the seeds.

• Click here for more information on bird nutrition

Breeding:

Breeding has seldom been achieved. In the U.S. breeding begins in spring. This is an energetic bird that is considered medium-noisy. They are particularly vocal in morning. They are initially shy and flighty; when alarmed produces typical panting with fear. They are slow to become trusting.

Newly imported birds are extremely susceptible to diseases and frequent mortalities have resulted. They are particular prone to serious aspergillosis infections. Provided they are properly acclimatized, they are pretty hardy. Initially they should not be exposed to temperatures below 70°F (22°C). Once they have adjusted to the local climate, they may be able to endure temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C).

They often are intolerant of other birds, so keeping pairs in their flights would be the best way. To protect birds in adjoining cages, it is recommended to install double wiring. They are not hard chewers.

These parrots enjoy bathing and bathing opportunities should be provided to them daily.

• Click here for information on the benefits of bathing and recommendations.

The Pionus is of breeding age when they are about 3 to 5 years old. In North America, the breeding season stretches from February or March to June or July.

One problem that breeders face is that the male pionus in breeding condition can get aggressive towards their mates. One option to protect the female is to clip the male's wings prior to the breeding season to give the female an advantage when trying to escape the aggressive male.

For cage construction, breeders suggested the following dimensions: 4 feet wide by 4 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet long. Suspended cages facilitate sanitation as droppings and discarded food fall through the wire cage floor. Grandfather-style nest boxes work best. A size that works well is 10" wide x 10" deep x 18-24" high. Place the nest box high up in a dark, secluded area of the aviary.

The hen typically lays 3 to 5 eggs, which she incubates for 24 to 27 days. The chicks usually fledge when they are 8 to 12 weeks old. Pionus chicks are challenging to handraise and it is best to allow the parents to take care of the chicks for at least the first week. Various green foods and mealworms are appreciated by the parents for feeding the chicks. Corn cob is a favorite weaning food.

If you decide to pull the chicks at this time, Exact or Pretty Bird Handfeeding formulas are suitable for handfeeding the young.

Taxonomy:

Species: Scientific: Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus ... English: Plum-crowned Parrot, Restless-, Tschudi's Parrot ... Dutch: Pruimekoppapegaai, Rozekoppapegaai ... German: Rosenkopfpapagei, Purperstirnpapagei ... French: Perroquet de Tschudi ... CITES II - Endangered Species

Grey-headed Pionus:

Distribution: mountains of north-western Venezuela, Central Andes of Colombia, south through western Ecuador, north-western Peru.

Species: Scientific: Pionus tumultuosus seniloides aka Pionus seniloides ... English: Grey-headed Parrot ... Dutch: Grijskoppapegaai ... German: Greisenkopfpapagei ... French: Perroquet Macena ... CITES II - Endangered Species

White-headed Pionus

May be classified as a subspecies, Pionus tumultuosus seniloides, but this is controversial and it is sometimes classified as the separate species, Pionus seniloides.

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