Blue-Headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) Classification: Class: Aves, Order: Psittaciformes, Family: Psittacidae, Genus: Pionus, Species: menstruus
IUCN Status: Not Listed

Blue-Headed Parrots, not surprisingly, are recognized by their bright blue heads, which stand out from their almost uniformly green bodies. They also have some pink throat feathers. These birds do not have their characteristic blue heads until they gain their adult plumage at about one year of age. They grow to be about 28 cm (11 inches) in length and weigh between 230 and 250 grams (a little over a half-pound). Their range covers almost all of the tropical areas of South and Central America, except for the Andes.

Blue-Headed Parrots make their nests in hollow trees and generally forage in the lower canopy. They are very social birds and are usually seen in small flocks. Loud vocalizations between members of the same flock are common rainforest sounds. These birds are instrumental in the dispersal of rainforest seeds, which they commonly feed on in addition to nuts and fruit fibers. They have larger beaks than other parrot species, and their powerful beaks allow them to crack hard nut shells. These birds are known for the loud hissing sound that they sometimes make when they are frightened.

Females lay between one to six eggs, which hatch in about 70 days. Both parents participate in raising the young, as do older offspring. These young mature within one to two years. Blue-headed parrots usually live about 25 years, but can live to be as old as 40!

(http://www.mylittledarlings.com/blueheadedpionus.html)

(http://www.msu.edu/user/urquhart/tour/parrot.html)

(http://www.petbirdpage.com/breed.asp?breed=bhpionus)

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