What is it like having one?

snowflake311

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Jun 7, 2016
500
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Tahoe
Parrots
Sprinkels, Black capped Conure/
Olaf, male, Budgie/
Sweetpea, female, Budgie/
RIP Kiwi, female, Senegal
I saw my first Pionus a month ago. It was a bronze wing and I was in aww over it. I had never seen a parrot like that before. I just loved it. I have no clue what these birds are like. I have never met one. I have been reading about them and I want to know more.

I found one on craigslist that needs a home it's not a bronze wing. I am not jumping at getting another bird at this time. Later I will have 2 parrots right now I don't think so.

That Bronze wing pionus I saw just really got me thinking. I was in love.

So could you guys tell me a little about what these birds are like as pets?

Noise level?
Can they be good family parrots and don't tend to pick one person?
Health?
Active level?
Personality?
How are they with other birds like a small conure?
Could they be good parrots for a family with kids?

I just would love to hear about your Pionus and feel free to post some photos. Thanks.
 

Terry57

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Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
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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)
We have a BHP, Talli, and a WCP, Pisces. They are fantastic birds!
Talli is a talker and the character of the two. He does scream, thankfully not for extended periods.
Pisces is quiet, I have never heard her scream even once. She also doesn't talk at all.
They are both loving, and are not one person birds. With these two, you can see a bite coming from a mile away as they both puff up like a puffer fish.
I would have a room full of Pionus if I could!

This is Talli after his bath:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg7zUBNrC1o"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg7zUBNrC1o[/ame]

Pisces after her bath:

bathtime003_zps1e88dcc1.jpg
 

KBEquine

Member
May 19, 2011
359
21
South-central PA
Parrots
From little to big - currently 6 Linnies; 2 Budgies; 1 BHP; 2 CAGs; 2 Zons; 1 GWM. Formerly in the flock: 1 LSC2 [fostered/rehomed] RIP: 1 budgie 1 WCP & 1 sweet Pan Am
So, my 1st 'big' parrot was a White Capped Pionus. He loved me beyond measure & hated pretty much everyone else, especially men. But in his prior home, his 2 best friends were a woman and her young son, so it might have been I was the main person to relate to him here. He was relatively quiet, spoke some words [and when it was time to go to sleep, he would climb onto his sleeping perch, turn his back to the world [i.e., face the wall] and "practice his words" I loved to hear his sleepy voice mumbling himself to sleep.

Out of the blue, a friend who has a private rescue texted me the picture of a half-naked Blue Headed Pionus hen, who was losing her home. Turns out the plucking was a fixable medical issue. A month-plus of antibiotics & some anti-fungals brought a long-term infection under control. She is fully feathered. She likes everyone in the home; not as keen on visitors. She is pretty quiet, quietly affectionate.

They are like amazons in that they telegraph their intentions. You can see a bite coming from a mile away.

If you are thinking about a Pionus, when you find a bird, smell it. "Pionus people" love their smell - I think they smell like the old Love's Baby Soft perfume. Some other people hate it. [I always say that everyone in the house needs to (1) hear a parrot's scream, and (2) smell them before deciding whether this is a good addition to the household.]

Good luck.
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
I have a Bronze Winged :)! You can see my male BWP Raven in my avatar and beautiful sig that Allee made for me.

Pionus are said to be closely related to Amazons. They have the 'strut' like a zon, they (usually) show clear body language warnings, they 'puff' out a musty smell from the face area the way zons do when they're excited. Pi's are also South American. There are 6 species available. They range in size depending on species, but are about the size of the smaller Amazons.

Raven is funny, I swear he has a sense of humor. As far as noise, he would rather talk, mimic, and make funny sounds than scream. The only times I've ever heard him scream is when he's having a spat with Griffin, or if I'm on the phone with some sort of high emotion. Otherwise, he will NEVER scream. When he does scream it sounds like it would be from a smaller bird. Raven is not super loud IMO.

Of course whether they get along or not depends on the individual and your conure. They're not necessarily known to 'not' get along with others. Raven is a bonded 'couple' with my Ruppell's parrot Griffin who is half Raven's weight. Griffin is definitely way more feisty.

I think they'd be fine with supervision for kids if they're old enough to observe the bird's body language. Raven likes both of us, but he is less tolerant of me (his real owner) so I have to be very respectful to not get bit. I let my guard down about 3 weeks ago and was sort of teasing him (nicely in fun), and I got nailed hard. It is still not 100% healed.

Terry, that video of Talli was hilarious :D. Evidently he thought something was hilarious too!

Kim, I have had 2 Pionuses (and a zon) before, who all puffed out the most stinky, musty, almost sour smell. I still have no idea what people talk about when they say a sweet smell. Maybe when people say they like the smell they are talking about the feathers, not the 'puff' they emit? I don't usually risk putting my face close enough to Raven ;).
 

KBEquine

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May 19, 2011
359
21
South-central PA
Parrots
From little to big - currently 6 Linnies; 2 Budgies; 1 BHP; 2 CAGs; 2 Zons; 1 GWM. Formerly in the flock: 1 LSC2 [fostered/rehomed] RIP: 1 budgie 1 WCP & 1 sweet Pan Am
I have been told they smell different to everyone - especially amazons & pionus. Some perceive a pleasant smell like I do, others get a whiff of something they don't like. And I do smell it more, when they are excited. I don't notice it most of the time [unless I have my nose buried in feathers, which I don't recommend because, as you know, it could all go really wrong, really fast!]
 

Terry57

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Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
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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 also love the smell, but I can see how it could be an acquired taste..lol
 

Printer bird

New member
Jan 4, 2011
268
1
Calgary, AB
Parrots
Dipper, 8 year old WC Pionus
RIP Charlie, Green Cheek Conure,
Lelu, parrotlet and
Poe the budgie.
I just adopted my eight year old WCP in May and she's a very sweet bird. She fit in surprisingly easily and fast considering how loud and angry she gets with strangers! She's a very quiet bird, just kind of burbling, making laser sounds, and punctuating her activities with the occasional "Pretty Bird" (her only words). She mimics some basic sounds (like clicking or laughing) when she's a bit excited/riled up. She is happy to be in the room with us either watching or playing and is very happy to sit on our shoulder or play in our laps/on the couch. She really loves head scratches and will roll her head around so that we get at the right spots. She loves our company and to be on us but she's not particularly cuddly. She likes exploring but can be startled easily (she lived in her own room/basement for quite a few years before we got her so she's not super used to lots of activity). The only time she's loud is when strangers show up and then she makes us glad she's such a quiet bird! Full on smoke detector and screaming. She will settle after awhile with only level 1 or 2 noises (chirps and duck sounds) so long as they are sitting and can make new friends although it takes a little while and they have to be willing to spend some time with her (and give almonds). She favours me but likes my husband too as long as he doesn't try and keep her from me. She's a great eater and will happily chow down on almost any veggie that we give her plus her pellets. Definitely not a biter - her main form of protest is to drop her head for a scratch knowing that her cuteness will buy her a few more seconds at least. She will occasionally clomp us with her beak (to signal a bite but without biting) although its rare and she has bitten us a few times, mostly out of fear and feeling cornered. Her body language is easy to read usually. Overall a great bird and very easy to live with!
 
OP
snowflake311

snowflake311

New member
Jun 7, 2016
500
8
Tahoe
Parrots
Sprinkels, Black capped Conure/
Olaf, male, Budgie/
Sweetpea, female, Budgie/
RIP Kiwi, female, Senegal
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Thanks everyone I love hearing about your birds. They sound like fun parrots.

As for the smell. I love the smell of birds my conure and parakeets smell good to me. But Pionus have a different kind of bird smell? That's very interesting.
 

Piasa

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Jan 12, 2016
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Beau 20 year old male Green Cheek || Jimmy Bullet 17 year old female white cap pionus parrot
I love my white cap pi. SOOOO much! Can only echo what others said. She is also very tolerant with children and very loving with her friends.

Yeah the smell... I think Jimmy's smell smells like a gym sock. Literally. I've asked someone who thinks they smell good what she smelled - she said it is like flowers (!).

I do notice her smell isn't as potent when she gets a lot of outside time. I think diet also affects their smell to a point. Her stinky smell comes from her head. Her body feathers smell good, like normal parrot scent.

Health-wise, they are prone to heart and respiratory issues. They also need a better diet than most parrots (need more sprouts and veg and less grain/pellets) for heart health.
 

KBEquine

Member
May 19, 2011
359
21
South-central PA
Parrots
From little to big - currently 6 Linnies; 2 Budgies; 1 BHP; 2 CAGs; 2 Zons; 1 GWM. Formerly in the flock: 1 LSC2 [fostered/rehomed] RIP: 1 budgie 1 WCP & 1 sweet Pan Am
Yes - I agree completely on the need for a good diet. My WCP was my first 'big bird' and while his prior human fed good quality seed, fruits, veggies & nuts, like Amazons, Pionus are prone to heart disease & as my vet says, once they start down the path to heart disease, there's nothing she can do.

I lost Beaker to a heart attack. [And a Panama Amazon who was rehomed to me from here the same way]. So I am bigger on feeding them salad & pellets & a limit on the nuts than most people.
 

texsize

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Terry57 that picture after the bath is AMAZING.
It looks like she/he is covered with sparkles or jewels.
If I could have any one bird to add to my flock it would be a Bronze wing.
I never knew they had a different sent/smell to other parrots but I have never been close to one.
Good information on the breed, just makes me want one even more :).
texsize
 

Tearex

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Sep 14, 2016
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Parrots
Yona [Maximillian Pionus]
Here's my experience with the Pionus:

Noise level? Very quiet! Yona only gets loud when she is trying to tell me something and that is pretty seldom when she's trying to make a statement. She is not demanding at all.
Can they be good family parrots and don't tend to pick one person? Depends on the bird, I think. Mine is mostly interested in men but she doesn't hate me (I'm a girl).
Health? Average. Prone to overweight issues as they are perch potatos.
Active level? This depends on the bird's personality, honestly. Yona is very laidback and would rather have pets and sleep rather than do tricks.
Personality? Reserved, independent, quiet, and laidback.
How are they with other birds like a small conure? That I wouldn't know. Yona is currently the only bird in the house. Pionus parrots are very quiet. I think they can be easily bullied because they aren't aggressive. I think it's important to read their body language rather than wait for the bird to vocalize her frustration. By that time, she may be very stressed.
Could they be good parrots for a family with kids? I think so ;)
 
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snowflake311

snowflake311

New member
Jun 7, 2016
500
8
Tahoe
Parrots
Sprinkels, Black capped Conure/
Olaf, male, Budgie/
Sweetpea, female, Budgie/
RIP Kiwi, female, Senegal
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No one had any thing bad to say about these birds. Thats awesome. why are they so hard to find. I would say they aee almost rare. Must be because they are not bright or flashy. When the lighting is right their feathers are amazing. Pionus are a dimond in the rough. This will be my second bird when the time is right. I will wait till my Crazy dog is old and lazy before I get another parrot.

Thank you everyone for your info.

This birds sound so amazing could you tell me one bad thing about them?
 

Piasa

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Jan 12, 2016
569
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USA Nomad
Parrots
Beau 20 year old male Green Cheek || Jimmy Bullet 17 year old female white cap pionus parrot
I have nothing bad to say about Pionus. IMO they are the best of the best parrots! And they have amazing colors. I am so scared they won't be long in the pet trade because it's so hard to find breeders and they aren't a well known genus, but hope I am just being a pessimist.

I've heard some people call them boring because they don't always beg for attention. Jimmy is slightly dusty. She is NOT boring though!
 

GaleriaGila

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The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
I knew a Pionus once. I thought it smelled slightly like... sweet relish. I didn't find it objectionable at all.
 

Terry57

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Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
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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)
Thank you texsize!

I have been sitting here trying to think of one bad thing to say about them, and I can't come up with a single thing.
 

Printer bird

New member
Jan 4, 2011
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Calgary, AB
Parrots
Dipper, 8 year old WC Pionus
RIP Charlie, Green Cheek Conure,
Lelu, parrotlet and
Poe the budgie.
Mine doesn't like my new fingernail colour! :p And she yells at strangers. But otherwise a pretty great bird!
 
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snowflake311

snowflake311

New member
Jun 7, 2016
500
8
Tahoe
Parrots
Sprinkels, Black capped Conure/
Olaf, male, Budgie/
Sweetpea, female, Budgie/
RIP Kiwi, female, Senegal
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Wow not one bad thing to say about these birds. When I can have a second parrot I will be looking for a Pionus I found a few that needed to be re-homed now but I am not in the place for another parrot. Maybe when I am down to one dog then I can get a pionus.

Thanks everyone for the insight.
 

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