few questions

I am primarily looking at a brown headed parrot but finding a breeder is a bit of a challenge. So I might be willing to look at this species.
1. I have been told they can be quite loud, personally a cockatiel shrieking concerns me due to living in a apartment complex and having quiet time. Is that true. (also when a cockatiel shrikes near my ears it hurts)
2. What is the average life expectancy of them
3. How Family freindly are they?
4. What is the average cost of them and what ones are cheaper?

A Pionus has a 'quiet' call IN COMPARISON TO ITS SIZE... It's on the high pitch side so can be a little piercing, but in no way loud compared to most other parrots. Typically Pionus don't call often.
They are not as outgoing like a poicephalus typically is, and also many Pionus aren't as cuddly as many Poi's. (Of course there are exceptions so I said "many", not all )

As far a apartments to, I'd lived in several, and with larger species than Pionus. So do many people. Unless you have a "problem screamer", people understand that apartments aren't "libraries" where utmost silence is enforced... There are dogs at many apartments, there are people's loud tv's and even at night, loud people, noisy cockatiels and lovebirds out on balconies for all to hear, etc. it's very rare to get a complaint at an apartment. Also, in a detached track home, if you have a parrot (or even a dog), next door neighbors even though not sharing walls are still going to hear...

Good luck finding a great bird no matter what species you end up with!

Might be a problem then due to how the apartment is set up, we have one wall that is shared with the neighbor but the living room is in the front bedroom in the back. the reason I am against cockatiels is i am allergic to their dust

Compared to a Cockatiel how loud are they? Also on average how frequently do most of the call that loud if loud also what subspecies of Ponius would you reccomend that is more family friendly?

The Blue Headed Pi is to many the most beautiful due to it's striking adult coloration. I especially love the ones with the yellow gold on the wings. Most do, but some don't. I'd love to have one of those myself! Terry57 has a BH Pionus. They are also fairly easy to come by. The one I've always heard is number one in personality is the Maximilian's Pionus. They're all individuals of course. Raven has his own mind and tells me he doesn't like petting. BW are supposed to be shy but I'd call him "reserved".
They're all different in how often they use their voice, but not usually a highly vocal species, unless you have a loud household or have other loud birds around them which I know you don't. They are quite a bit louder than a Cockatiel if they should really sound off! Then again, not loud for a medium size parrot if that makes sense. It depends on what you personally consider loud how about going on YouTube and listen to some Pionus first hand? Type in Pionus screaming, Pionus calling, Pionus noise, etc. ALL the Pi species have similar calls as far as loudness goes, the exact pitch or volume as well as frequency of noise will depend on the individual.

Looked it up on youtube with the wife nearby she loves them. just need to settle on a species so either Blue Headed Bronze Winged or Maximilian? I hear the white capped can be a bit mean at times. Please feel free to put more input going to start looking threw birdbreeders.com for a breeder unless anyone knows of a breeder within 4 hour drive of either Salem Or or Santa Rosa CA. I live in a tiny town with a tiny airport that only small dual propeller planes can land. Not ideal to receive shipments. the other airport in the area (2 hour drive) can receive the most tiny of jet planes.

Sorry I missed your other questions before
Life expectancy would be like most any parrot 20+. Perhaps 40+ they say, but I don't think captive bred have been around long enough that many people know?

Pionus are more susceptible to aspergillosis (fungi spores) and other respiratory illnesses than some other species. You can google all about it

Price is going to be lowest for the Maximillan and white caps. The white capped is the smallest, and has the reputation of being a little more feisty, (but still not as much as an Amazon). Even though Blue Headed are popular, they're still one of the more pricey due to the colors. Even then the BH is not that much more than the Poicephalus you were considering. Maybe $700? Also you can find Pi's in rescues from time to time. You might be able to get even a baby Maximillian or White Cap for $400 or sometimes under. They're pretty reasonable for a bird their size.

About the noise... Honestly, if you say a Cockatiel sound is enough to hurt your ears, a Pionus can be WAY louder. It's also sort of high pitched too. Not the same way as a Conure though, and not near as penetrating as a conure sound. Hard to explain. Hear them on YouTube

The Poicephalus (Brown Headed, Meyer's) that you were considering have a sound I think you would be able to deal with. You may have to bite the bullet and get one shipped. I know it stinks to have to pay an extra $200 though.

well only time the teil hurts my ears is when shes on my shoulder (wifes teil) and shrikes in my ear. other then that I can stand it. I found a blue Headed breeder just outside portalnd I might be able to go to. THanks again for the help

Keep us posted!

Will do, anyone have any experience with BirdsnWays Guide to Pet Birds, Parrots & Exotic Birds Care & Breeding. Breeders, classifieds, products & information. Macaws, cockatoos, cockatiels, amazons ? Threw them I found a breeder even closer about 3 hour drive from me going to have to call them and ask for references and what not along with a price (Blue headed)

I never talked to anyone through BirdsnWays, but I say a BH is a great choice.

Although no Pionus species are super "common" birds, the BH is fairly easy to find as far as Pi's go. That is the good news. BUT be careful with the prices! What I mean is, some breeders might charge $650, some might charge $900 for BH's. You see that a lot with Pionus I noticed. As if that species has no set standard of what they cost, so people price them any way they want if they think they could get a sucker to pay the money.
More expensive doesn't mean they're a "better" breeder either. Some of it might be that in different parts of the US, the prices might vary a bit, but it shouldn't vary by hundreds. In my opinion $900 that I occasionally see for BH is way too high. You can get one much less expensive than that.

600-900 cost alright Thanks alot of your input about what would be more reasonable price. Going to try to get ahold of the person soon. that breeder I am looking at is only 3 hours at most one way trip. so 6 hour drive compared to 5 hours to get to my Aunts. SO I hope I get a good feel from them and good references.

From what I've seen, I think Blue Headed usually run about $700-800 "brand new" . That would be a reasonable price to expect.

ps.. It's not just the White Caps that can "get mean" at times... ALL Pionus are closely related to Amazons, and while not as typically extroverted and temperamental, (except Raven is temperamental) you can still expect a bit of a handful especially during hormonal times of year and during puberty.

I would not discount a White Capped. All Pi's are pretty similar, despite some truth to stereotypes. They're really so similar that I wouldn't say a certain kind of Pi will be a good "family bird" and another kind won't. That's more individual differences. Oh, and like Amazons, female Pi's in general tend to be gentler overall than males.

Keep in mind, Pi's don't all like to be cuddled. Some individuals do and some individuals don't, and you never know til after you get one, which way yours will be. Raven is a lot like an Eclectus. He likes to be near us and on us at times, but not touched, and definitely has his standoffish moments. Other Pi owners will say totally different.

So is the search for the Brown Head or Meyer's totally out? Although I love Raven, shhh don't let my Pionus group hear this... but I believe I am a true Poi girl at heart. I've had several parrot species before, and I must say Poicephalus parrots are my very favorite genus.

Well, the problem with teh Brown head is trying to find a breeder near the Crescent City CA area. I am sure that the breeders of whom ship their birds by plane know not to touch birds with colds dosnt mean the airport staff do. Plus I think its a bit more stressful on the bird to be flown then to go for a drive. San Diego is around 13 hours away and has a breeder. Plus my research shows even if the brown headed can make good family birds but still sometimes bonds mainly with one person. My wife's Cockatiel can be bit of a jerk at times. I have a way with animals so I try to have leave her bird a bit more alone so they have the deeper bond. When her bird was a jerk she always knew my bird (a bourke at the time) would cheer her up. I want a bird that would be closer to me but still be wiling to go to others without hissy/biting fits. Thats why I have turned more to the Pionus then the brown headed. Unless you know of a breeder within 3 hours one way of either Santa Rosa CA or Salem OR (Aunts/uncles in each I can bunk with) Id more then happy be willing to look into it. Sorry for the paragraph

Have you thought about a Myers or a Senegal or maybe even a parrotlet? Parrotlets are small but feisty lil buggers.

I HAVE TO tell you this about Robin my Red Bellied (Poi)! Robin USED TO BE a one person bird for MANY years of his life UNTIL he met my husband! NO ONE EVER besides him, male or female, has ever been able to handle him without a bad bloody bite. Don can now take this bird in two hands and play maul him, wrestle, cuddle, kiss, etc. the way only I could. I swear I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw their relationship forming!!

NO! Poi's aren't necessarily one person birds! If anyone proves that point it's Robin. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that when I got Robin, he and I were 'exclusive' for many years. STILL, when he found that he 'clicked' with Don and really liked him, it was all over. He is now a two person bird! It also has probably to do with the fact that Don really has a way with animals and birds. Although he is pretty much a novice with birds, birds can just sense something about him the way animals can just sense if your an animal person or not? "I" am the one who usually gets barked at, scratched, or bit lol..

I don't think a Pionus is BETTER for you and your family than a Poi... EITHER one is fine. Poi is a more manageable size especially during 'bad moods', more outgoing and cuddly, but Pi's are great birds too.

Remember Pi's can become one person birds too. ANY parrot who is not socialized with more than one person can become the dreaded "one person bird" please remember that when choosing. If I come across a breeder in northern CA or So. Oregon? I'll be sure to let you know

Oh and another thing I almost forgot to tell you... You mentioned concern about people with colds touching birds? Don't worry. The common cold is species specific thankfully NOT a zoonotic (transfer between species) illness.

The breeders and airlines concern is that if the weather is below a certain temperature, they cannot ship until weather improves. I think if it's below 40 something? I'm not sure. Daytime temps aren't that cold in CA, (at least not southern) but other areas you'll have to wait for a day with acceptable weather.

I found a BH breeder in Myrtel Creek Or that is about 6 hour round trip. good to know about the cold situation. but still I think I would have to take a 2 hour trip to get to an airport that they can land at. Yes animals do sence that I am an animal person. In highschool.....i think it was 2004 or so I went to a friends aunts house to hang out. They had a chiuwawa or however you spell it. My friend has been going there for years trying to win its trust. My 3rd visit it came over to me and wanted to be petted. Mind you this dogs first owners abused it manly a man did and she came to me, a guy. So I suppose that the other birds are good. Yes I have looked at the Senegal and the Myers but I have done my research shows that the Senegal has a bit more of a temperament. Ive only had 2 birds in the past so I am not too experienced but not a beginner. Again sorry for the paragraph. Also, wife becomes incredibly attached to pets that's why long life is a MUST. Recently lost the Bourke Parakeet she was in tears for about a week. Thanks again

Good luck! I'll be looking for updates.

Will do left a message on the Myrtle Creek number, might give a call later on this week if no response. Sent many emails to people that are within the 3 hours of the places I can go. so we shall see. Personally I hope the Myrtle Creek breeder checks out and has good references.