Going to get a blue head pionus soon...

Mamaof3

New member
Jan 25, 2016
191
7
Queens, NY
Parrots
Twix-Female Parakeet, Twizzle-male Parakeet, foster mommy to my mom's galah- Rosey
Hello everyone!

I can't wait, I'm going to get a blue head pionus soon, just waiting for them to be born so I can go swoop one up in March or April... Haha. These birds are so underrated! I've been looking for a bird for my family, I have two little boys and a girl reaching her tween years. Wanted something not so loud not so needy but can be independent as well. I came across the pionus and immediately fell in love with the blue headed one. I called my local breeder and told him to put me down for one, a female especially. I've read that females are a lot more sweeter disposition than the males especially when growing up and reaching sexual maturity. I was a bit disappointed when I came to this species forum and there is no species information sticky on them.

I honestly can't wait! My daughter has already picked out a name for the female (Zoey).

I knew every bird had their "good", "bad" and the "ugly". But honestly I have really read anything terrible about them other than the males can be a bit territorial during breeding season and they tend to nip here and there.

Is there anything else I should know about them?
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
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College Station, Texas
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Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Hi, welcome! The Blue Headed Pi's are just gorgeous. I also think Pionus are underrated. There is no other species of their size that is as 'easy' IMO! Very independent, although quiet is relative, in general they are. My Bronze Winged Pi never screams. Only if he is "arguing" with his bird buddy, or we touch him and he doesn't want that. Otherwise the only vocalizations he ever uses are talking, mimicking and various low volume sounds. Raven is also trustworthy in that he doesn't roam, or get "into things" like many other parrots do.

What you've heard about males and females is basically true, that they are a species that exhibits a difference between male and female behaviors, much like their cousins the Amazons. That's not to say males are 'bad' pets. Of course once maturity hits, some individuals will be more hormonal or aggressive than others. I've given Raven boundaries from an early age. It doesn't make them perfect angels when the hormones hit, but I think a bird who is taught what is good vs unacceptable behavior makes them more handleable than one who has not learned anything. Stick training is essential if you don't want to see your blood! Raven many times needs to be handled with a stick. He has more tolerance for his dad, but with me I must use a stick or give him a treat every time. I think Raven came out of the egg crotchety I tell him... I love him a lot, but I can tell you he is not as "nice" or as easy going as a female that I had years ago.
 

Allee

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Oct 27, 2013
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U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Welcome to the forums! Congrats, I also think the blue headed Pi's are stunning birds. You must be thrilled. Looking forward to pics of your new addition when she joins your family.
 

Piasa

Member
Jan 12, 2016
569
15
USA Nomad
Parrots
Beau 20 year old male Green Cheek || Jimmy Bullet 17 year old female white cap pionus parrot
I looooove my pi! Really, there is nothing I can say about her that is bad.. she is Saint Parrot.

I find she appreciates people who move slowly or smoothly, nothing spastic. She is also very clean herself and wants my whole house to be clean, this makes her happy. My other birdie, clean isn't really on the radar, but Jimmy's mood is always much better when her surroundings are clean and uncluttered.

In my experience, she is very tolerant, but if you cross the line, she will really hold a grudge! She isn't immediately trusting of other people. She is reserved and waits for someone to prove themself to her by talking nicely and paying attention to her over all others. If they put in the time and are kind, she is a great friend.

She has been great with polite kids. She has a fan club around here actually - haha! They all think she looks like a hawk. Some don't believe me when I say she's really a parrot ;)

Oh, and she is very mechanical. She can undo a lot a cage locks and is quite the jailbreaker!
 
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Mamaof3

Mamaof3

New member
Jan 25, 2016
191
7
Queens, NY
Parrots
Twix-Female Parakeet, Twizzle-male Parakeet, foster mommy to my mom's galah- Rosey
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I do have two younger kids, one is 4 and the other one is 3. Will the pionus be okay with them? They are quite rambunctious, but they are learning to walk rather than run, talk rather than scream…lol.
 

Piasa

Member
Jan 12, 2016
569
15
USA Nomad
Parrots
Beau 20 year old male Green Cheek || Jimmy Bullet 17 year old female white cap pionus parrot
I can't say for sure, all birds have their own personalities and tolerances.

Jimmy has been around a lot of 5-8ish year olds and has been good with all except one. There was a young girl I had to be around with my birds due to an emergency situation, and she would do things intentionally to try to scare Jimmy - jump at her, be real quiet and then scream in her face etc. Mean. Jimmy lunged and did her scary squawk to scare the kid back. I think if she wasn't in a carrier, she would have flown and attacked. Who could blame her?

Kids that are curious and show respect, she is nice to. I don't offer to them to handle her. She has chosen to sit with a few kids. There was one boy she always wanted to sit on his shoulder because he was consistently nice to her. Not many parrots I would trust to do this, but I trust her. I think he was 9 at the time.

She does enjoy and want a lot of quiet time. We have a quiet household and she appreciates being able to retreat when she wants to. I think she is more emotionally sensitive than my conure. All things to consider.
 

Terry57

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Nov 6, 2013
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Hawkhead(Darwin),YCA(Dexter),VE (Ekko),OWA(Slater),BHP(Talli),DYH(Calypso),RLA(Kimera),Alex(Xander)CBC(Phoe),IRN (Kodee,Luna,Stevie),WCP (Pisces),CAG(Justice)GCC (Jax), GSC2(Charley)
I'm so excited for you! We have a BHP and a WP, and they are amazing! They are completely different from each other, Pisces, my WCP, has never screamed even once. She makes a clucking sound when she's hormonal and that as loud as she gets. Talli, my BHP, does scream sometimes, and when he gets going he really gets going.
Talli is a cuddle bug, while Pisces is more standoffish.
Pisces doesn't talk at all, and Talli talks up a storm.
Pisces came from a rescue, and doesn't like kids at all. Talli came form a home with small children, and they could hold him with no problem.
I agree with Piasa, it's all in the particular bird's personality.
Please share pictures when your baby comes home!
 

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