My new baby White Capped Pionus.

This is my new baby. I don't get to take it home for about a month It's still being hand fed 3 times a day. I should find out the results of the DNA test on Monday or Tuesday. Then I need to name him or her

Such a cute little baby! I can't wait to hear DNA results and a name

How adorable! What names are you thinking about?

Aww what sweet eyes! He/she is adorable.

Very sweet pi!

What an adorable baby! I can't wait to hear what you decide to name him/her
You must be so excited!

Congratulations! We have a WCP and she/he is the love of our lives. I love the "freckles" in the white cap which will come and go and move around for the first couple of years

IT'S A BOY! Now for a name?..?..?

What a bright-eyed beauty! Congratulations!

Congrats! I have a boy Pionus too (Bronze Winged) named Raven. More of a handful than the girls typically, but they're so lovable in their own way

What sort of names do you seem to prefer? For example: cute, human names, characters, mythological, foreign language, unisex, boyish?

Not sure on the name. I don't like super cutesie names, I was thinking something from where he comes from, but not something like Paco. I was thinking Cilantro, but I want a name he might learn to say. That might be too hard. I loved the show breaking bad, and have a tortoise named Tuco, and a fire eel named Emilio from the show. I would name him Walt, Jessie, or Hank...ha ha. All my dogs have 3 letter names, so I could also stick to the 3 letter thing. I'm totally open.

I was sorta hoping it was a girl, just because I have heard they are a bit more mellow. But have heard mixed opinions. I am not so much worried about his behavior vs a females, I am just worried about my ability as a first time parrot owner (had a budgie as a kid, but not the same). I don't want to end up with a jerk cuz I don't know what I am doing. I have plenty of time to spend with him, I just am a little scared I will mess him up. The store where I got him, offers a 1 year trade in for the amount I paid for him if it doesn't work out. Comforting, but I don't want to have to do that. I want to do everything right

I did get to hand feed him today. What a little monster. So cute. He was so messy. They are still hand feeding 3 times a day, so I won't be able to take him home for a while. He's so cute. I'm also a little nervous about handling him. I'm afraid I'm gonna hurt him. I am assuming this will go away and he is probably a lot tougher then I think.

P.S. I know I sound nervous, but I really just am because I want to end up with an amazing pet for a long time. I don't want a jerk. I have had plenty of animal experience, just not birds. I have 4 dogs (soon to be 3 my old guy is 15.5 years old and probably not going to be around much longer, he is the best dog ever! I can't believe I have had him so long. Time flies). I also have a very spoiled tortoise and a tropical freshwater fish heated pond (with some unique fairly rare $$ species) and a freshwater puffer aquaponics tank. They are all spoiled. Oh, and I used to have a horse for about 7 years. He was the best thing ever. He was a huge bratty jerk when handling (which was funny to me), but he was the best boy every when in the ring.

When I look at his sweet picture and think 3-letter names I think Pip.

I'm waiting to learn whether my baby Hahns macaw is a boy or girl right now. I've already decided on the name Fozzie (boy) or Fozzi (girl) because I really want to hear a little Hahn's say, "Waka, waka, waka." Of course, there are no guarantees he/she will ever say it, but fingers crossed.

I think you can relax a bit and trust you'll be a great parront. It sounds like you're willing to learn, put the effort in, and love him. He's off to a great start.

Thanks! Fozzie is sooo cute. I have a list that I have started. I have a few faves, but want to see what others think:

Saul
Flynn
Hank
Thor
Orville
Remy
Cilantro
Marvin

open to other suggestions. Doesn't have to be 3 letters.

Dustbunny said:

When I look at his sweet picture and think 3-letter names I think Pip.

I'm waiting to learn whether my baby Hahns macaw is a boy or girl right now. I've already decided on the name Fozzie (boy) or Fozzi (girl) because I really want to hear a little Hahn's say, "Waka, waka, waka." Of course, there are no guarantees he/she will ever say it, but fingers crossed.

I think you can relax a bit and trust you'll be a great parront. It sounds like you're willing to learn, put the effort in, and love him. He's off to a great start.

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Ok, You totally gave me an idea....I ran it by some friends.....And we have a name......Fonzie aka The Fonz. All because I read your post wrong in the first place. ha ha. I want to teach it to say ehhhhhhhhhh

Lynsey said:

I was sorta hoping it was a girl, just because I have heard they are a bit more mellow. But have heard mixed opinions. I am not so much worried about his behavior vs a females, I am just worried about my ability as a first time parrot owner (had a budgie as a kid, but not the same). I don't want to end up with a jerk cuz I don't know what I am doing. I have plenty of time to spend with him, I just am a little scared I will mess him up. The store where I got him, offers a 1 year trade in for the amount I paid for him if it doesn't work out. Comforting, but I don't want to have to do that. I want to do everything right

P.S. I know I sound nervous, but I really just am because I want to end up with an amazing pet for a long time. I don't want a jerk. I have had plenty of animal experience, just not birds. I have 4 dogs (soon to be 3 my old guy is 15.5 years old and probably not going to be around much longer, he is the best dog ever! I can't believe I have had him so long. Time flies). I also have a very spoiled tortoise and a tropical freshwater fish heated pond (with some unique fairly rare $$ species) and a freshwater puffer aquaponics tank. They are all spoiled. Oh, and I used to have a horse for about 7 years. He was the best thing ever. He was a huge bratty jerk when handling (which was funny to me), but he was the best boy every when in the ring.

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I always prefer males personally because of the reproductive issues females can have. Pionus are close cousins of Amazons, and have a few of the same characteristics. One thing is, generally speaking, mature males tend to get more aggressive than females when hormonal. Like Amazons, they show clear body language signs when they need to be left alone. Some people report pretty nice males, but I think Ashley's (Sterling1113) Pascal is a female I joke because of 'his' female hormonal behavior, and she's never had him DNA'd. Terry's Talli seems pretty mellow too, but even the more feisty guys, you'll be able to manage once you know how to read them. Just like people with male zons, you'll learn the boys make excellent pets too.
Most Pionus prefer not to be petted. Some will accept some petting if they get used to it from a young age. They aren't as hands off as the Ringnecks and their relatives, but about as good of a chance as an Amazon or Eclectus. Some will, some won't.
As far as "messing up" don't even worry. As good of a pet owner and as conscientious as you are, you'll have a great bird. With decent care Pionus are easy birds! They are not known to be too clingy, they also don't commonly develop plucking or screaming habits. It's not as "hard" as owning a white Cockatoo for example Not even close! You'll be fine.

I think a man's Spanish name might be cute. Something different but not long. I'm at a loss right now for suggestions though lol.

Ps.. I'd love to see your pond and tank! I used to be into aquaria a while ago... Fresh and saltwater.

Thanks! I really want to be a good mommy

Here is a video of my pond. Red Tail Giant Gourami, king kong parrot (leftover that is non agressive and loves giant gourami, they are always together), frontosa (and 3 black widow frontosa...very rare....fire eel and synodontis decorus not seen). Still gotta take pics of my puffer aquaponics tank, Used to grow herbs etc, but switched to houseplants for look and ease of care. I do have a Taro in there too.

Lynsey said:

Thanks! I really want to be a good mommy

Here is a video of my pond. Red Tail Giant Gourami, king kong parrot (leftover that is non agressive and loves giant gourami, they are always together), frontosa (and 3 black widow frontosa...very rare....fire eel and synodontis decorus not seen). Still gotta take pics of my puffer aquaponics tank, Used to grow herbs etc, but switched to houseplants for look and ease of care. I do have a Taro in there too.

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I love it! Thanks for sharing . So the parrot fish loves the gourami lol cute.

Beautiful Giant Gourami the whole pond looks so clean! So I see the Frontosas... I can't tell which are the rare black widow ones. What do they look like?

They were super small and probably hiding at the time, they are more spotted instead of striped. I need to get a new video up. I have 3 Black widow frontosas and they are growing everyday. The fake wood is now gone cuz the RTGG (Red tail giant gourami) was getting too big and scratching himself trying to fit under it. Put a large koi cave/tunnel in there now. He should fit, but now doesn't use it. WTF? What a brat. All my pets are spoiled. The water is super clear, cuz its super clean. Since the pond is outside. i have been doing at least daily or everyother day water changes to keep temps optimal. Sometimes in San Diego things get a bit hot.

Soooo cute and innocent!! For now at least... LOL