ExploreBirds

Pionites melanocephala

Pionites melanocephala

The Black-headed Parrot is a colorful bird with a bright green body and a black head. They love to play and can make funny sounds, making them great companions for bird lovers!

Habitat: Tropical forests

Appearance

The Pionites melanocephala has a striking black cap, bright green wings and back, and a vibrant yellow-orange breast. Its stark white thighs contrast with its colorful plumage, making it easily distinguishable from other rainforest birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPsittaciformesFamilyPsittacidaeGenusPionites
Pionites melanocephala
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Pionites melanocephala

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Baby caiques are born without feathers and are totally helpless at first.

Pionites melanocephala can learn to 'dance' to music when kept as pets!

These parrots sometimes sleep clinging upside down from branches like bats!

They use their strong feet like hands to hold food while eating.

Special abilities

Ability

Acrobatic Navigator

Pionites melanocephala can hang upside down and twist through dense branches, using strong feet and beak to climb like a gymnast.

Ability

Tough Nutcracker

Pionites melanocephala has a powerful, sharp beak that can crack open hard nuts and seeds, helping them access nutritious food.

Ability

Social Communicator

Pionites melanocephala uses a wide range of squawks, calls, and whistles to communicate complex messages within its flock.

Measurements & details

Length
23-25 cm
Wingspan
30-35 cm
Weight
0.13-0.17 kg
Lifespan
20-30 years
Clutch Size
2-4
Incubation
24-26 days

Diet & Feeding

These colorful parrots love to feast on a delicious variety of fruits, seeds, nuts, and sometimes flowers or insects.

Primary Foods

  • Tropical Fruits
  • Tree Nuts
  • Flower Nectar
  • Various Seeds
  • Berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Strangler Fig

Ficus aurea

Feasts on ripe figs from these trees.

eats

Cashew Tree

Anacardium occidentale

Cracks open and consumes the nutritious cashew nuts.

eaten by

Boa Constrictor

Boa constrictor

A common snake predator of eggs and young.

eaten by

Harpy Eagle

Harpia harpyja

A powerful raptor that preys on adult parrots.

Traits

Also known as

Black-headed Parrot

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them in the wild.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Pionites melanocephala?

23-25 cm

What is Pionites melanocephala's wingspan?

30-35 cm

How much does Pionites melanocephala weigh?

0.13-0.17 kg

How long does Pionites melanocephala live?

20-30 years

What does Pionites melanocephala eat?

These colorful parrots love to feast on a delicious variety of fruits, seeds, nuts, and sometimes flowers or insects.

Where is Pionites melanocephala usually found?

Tropical forests

How does Pionites melanocephala hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Pionites melanocephala lay?

2-4

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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