Pionus

General:

The Pionus parrot is very quiet unlike other parrot families.   This is an excellent characteristic for making this bird a popular pet.   The Pionus parrot has personality in abundance together with great wit and plenty of charm.   The most popular species, that are kept as pets, are the Scaly-headed (Pionus Maximiliani) and White Capped (Pionus Senilis).

Pionus parrots are calm by nature and therefore popular by comparison with other breeds of parrot.   This calmness is what makes them such good pets or aviary birds.    They are less playful than other species, which means that they will not therefore perform tricks, or stunts that others may.   It would be unusual to get them to flip onto their backs or walk a tight-rope.   Some parrots would perform these tricks after a reasonable amount of practice.  However, the Pionus will make a most enjoyable companion to any parrot lover.  

There are two characteristics that are unique to the breed.   When they are excited or frightened the Pionus will make a snorting or wheezing noise.   Also, they have a very distinctive odour which some say is very similar to a musk perfume.  

When kept as pets it is unusual for them to be particularly noisy.   They like to chatter away to themselves but they will not normally spend their time screeching or screaming.  

With the usual amount of training the Pionus will mimic and talk as well as other breeds that may be better known for their speaking ability.   The Pionus parrot will enjoy the undivided attention of its owner although they will play quite happily with any toys that you may provide.

Diet: The Pionus loves its food.   The natural food for this species is a mixture of seed, vegetables, fruit, beans or specially manufactured pellets.   The pellets are a complete diet incorporating all the necessary vitamins, which all parrots should have in their diet.  The main thing is to give your bird a balanced diet.   You may find that your parrot will not eat one variety of food but will enjoy another.   This may be due to the manner in which it has been fed prior to your acquiring the bird.   All parrots have a love of water.   Your Pionus will be no exception.   They need fresh water to drink and preferably a large separate dish of water so that it can have a bath.   All birds love to splash around in a bowl of water.   Drinking water may need changing several times a day.   They tend to moisten their food in the water and it soon becomes contaminated.