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Black-headed parrot

October 15, 2023

Not to be confused with the Black-headed parrotbill (Psittiparus margaritae) of southeast Asia.

The black-headed parrot (Pionites melanocephalus ; sometimes incorrectly Pionites melanocephala) is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots.[3] Other colloquial names are black-crowned parrot, black-capped parrot, black-headed caique, and for subspecies P. m. pallidus, pallid caique.[4] It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.[5]

Black-headed parrot
At Jurong Bird Park, Singapore
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Pionites
Species:
P. melanocephalus
Binomial name
Pionites melanocephalus
Synonyms
  • Pionites melanocephala
  • Psittacus melanocephalus Linnaeus, 1758

Taxonomy and systematics Edit

The genus Pionites has two species, the black-headed parrot and the white-bellied parrot, according to the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society, the International Ornithological Committee, and the Clements taxonomy.[6][3][7] However, BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World splits the white-bellied parrot into three species.[8]

The four systems agree that the black-headed parrot has two subspecies, the nominate P. m. melanocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), and P. m. pallidus (Berlepsch, 1889).[6][3][7][8]

Description Edit

The black-headed parrot is 21 to 25 cm (8.3 to 9.8 in) long and weighs 130 to 170 g (4.6 to 6.0 oz). The sexes are the same. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a black cap from forehead to nape and a rufous-orange band across their hindneck. They are green from their lores to below their eye, and yellow on their lower face, sides of their neck, and their upper breast. Their back and wings are dull green with dark blue primaries and reddish blue axiillaries. Their lower breast and belly are creamy white and their flanks, thighs, and vent area are apricot yellow. Their tail's top surface is green with yellow feather tips and the lower surface is olive-yellow. Immature birds have pale yellow breasts and bellies. Subspecies P. m. pallidus is similar to the nominate but has a whiter breast and belly and a paler rufous-orange band on the hindneck.[9][10][11][12]

  •  

    Front view

  •  

    Side view

  •  

    Back view

Distribution and habitat Edit

The nominate subspecies of the black-headed parrot is found from southeastern Colombia east through Venezuela and the Guianas and south into Brazil to the Amazon River. Subspecies P. m. pallidus is found east of the Andes in southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northeastern Peru.[3][9] The species inhabits the canopy, clearings, and edges of humid lowland tropical forest of both terra firme and várzea types. It also occurs in secondary forest. In elevation it ranges as high as 1,000 m (3,300 ft) but only in small numbers above 500 m (1,600 ft).[9][10][11][12]

Behavior Edit

Movement Edit

The black-headed parrot is nomadic in French Guiana to follow the pattern of food availability. Its movements elsewhere, if any, have not been documented. The species is typically seen in small flocks of up to about eight individuals.[9][11][12]

Feeding Edit

The black-headed parrot feeds on seeds, fruit, flowers, and leaves.[9] Flocks eat palm leaves, apparently for their mineral content, and do not visit clay licks.[12]

Breeding Edit

The black-headed parrot's nesting season varies widely across its range. It includes April and May in Venezuela, October and November in Suriname, and spans from December to February in French Guiana. It nests in tree cavities and the clutch size is believed to be two to four eggs. In captivity the incubation period is 25 days and fledging occurs 10 weeks after hatch.[9][4]

 

Songs and calls
Listen to black-headed parrot on xeno-canto

Vocalization Edit

The black-headed parrot's flight call is " a high-pitched and penetrating squealing "skeeea .. skeeea"[9] also described as "a wheezy or squealing screech, e.g. 'screeéyr, screeyer-screeyer-screeyer'."[11] It is very vocal when perched, where it makes "a variety of calls, some more musical, others rather un-birdlike".[11]

 
Breeders in a cage

In aviculture Edit

Black-headed parrots are popular in aviculture. The only ways to determine gender of an individual black-headed parrot are surgical sexing and DNA sexing. DNA sexing is safer for the bird than surgical sexing. Black-headed parrots are playful and energetic pets. They need a large cage with many toys and perches (they tend to hop more than fly). Cage minimum should be 24" L X 24" W X 36" H, though the larger the better. Maximum bar spacing is 1". The black-headed parrot can have a tendency to bite, so owners may need to set boundaries early on. However, potential owners should prepare for a bird that uses its beak more often than other parrot species. Some Black-headed parrots will poorly mimic human speech. However, they more commonly mimic other surrounding sounds, such as alarm clocks, smoke detectors, microwave-oven beeps, laughs, car alarms, and whistles. In addition, caiques will combine sounds they have picked up to make new ones.[citation needed]

Status Edit

The IUCN has assessed the black-headed parrot as being of Least Concern. It has a very large range, and though its population size is not known it is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] It is considered generally common throughout its range, and "vast areas of habitat remain". Though it is a very common cage bird in Venezuela, the international pet trade does not appear to be large.[9]

References Edit

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22686079A93098194. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22686079A93098194.en. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P., eds. (January 2023). "Parrots, cockatoos". IOC World Bird List. v 13.1. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus)". parrots.org. World Parrot Trust. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  5. ^ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. 30 January 2023. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved 30 January 2023
  6. ^ a b Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 30 January 2023. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved 30 January 2023
  7. ^ a b Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved 25 August 2021
  8. ^ a b HBW and BirdLife International (2022) Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 7. Available at: http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v7_Dec22.zip retrieved 13 December 2022
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Collar, N. and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.blhpar4.01 retrieved 4 March 2023
  10. ^ a b van Perlo, Ber (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 136. ISBN 978-0-19-530155-7.
  11. ^ a b c d e Ridgely, Robert S.; Greenfield, Paul J. (2001). The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide. Vol. II. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-8014-8721-7.
  12. ^ a b c d McMullan, Miles; Donegan, Thomas M.; Quevedo, Alonso (2010). Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Bogotá: Fundación ProAves. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-9827615-0-2.

Further reading Edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pionites melanocephalus.
  • Parr, M., & Juniper, T. (1998). A Guide to the Parrots of the World. Pica Press, East Sussex. ISBN 1-873403-40-2
  • Restall, R., Rodner, C., & Lentino, M. (2006). Birds of Northern South America. Vol. 1 & 2. Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-7242-0 (vol. 1); ISBN 0-7136-7243-9 (vol. 2)
  • Schulenberg, T., Stotz, D. Lane, D., O'Neill, J, & Parker, T. (2007). Birds of Peru. Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-8673-9
  • Sigrist, T. (2006). Aves do Brasil – Uma Visão Artistica. ISBN 85-905074-1-6

October 15, 2023
black, headed, parrot, confused, with, bill, psittiparus, margaritae, southeast, asia, black, headed, parrot, pionites, melanocephalus, sometimes, incorrectly, pionites, melanocephala, species, bird, subfamily, arinae, family, psittacidae, african, world, parr. Not to be confused with the Black headed parrotbill Psittiparus margaritae of southeast Asia The black headed parrot Pionites melanocephalus sometimes incorrectly Pionites melanocephala is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae the African and New World parrots 3 Other colloquial names are black crowned parrot black capped parrot black headed caique and for subspecies P m pallidus pallid caique 4 It is found in Brazil Colombia Ecuador French Guiana Guyana Peru Suriname and Venezuela 5 Black headed parrotAt Jurong Bird Park SingaporeConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix II CITES 2 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClade DinosauriaClass AvesOrder PsittaciformesFamily PsittacidaeGenus PionitesSpecies P melanocephalusBinomial namePionites melanocephalus Linnaeus 1758 SynonymsPionites melanocephala Psittacus melanocephalus Linnaeus 1758 Contents 1 Taxonomy and systematics 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behavior 4 1 Movement 4 2 Feeding 4 3 Breeding 4 4 Vocalization 5 In aviculture 6 Status 7 References 8 Further readingTaxonomy and systematics EditThe genus Pionites has two species the black headed parrot and the white bellied parrot according to the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society the International Ornithological Committee and the Clements taxonomy 6 3 7 However BirdLife International s Handbook of the Birds of the World splits the white bellied parrot into three species 8 The four systems agree that the black headed parrot has two subspecies the nominate P m melanocephalus Linnaeus 1758 and P m pallidus Berlepsch 1889 6 3 7 8 Description EditThe black headed parrot is 21 to 25 cm 8 3 to 9 8 in long and weighs 130 to 170 g 4 6 to 6 0 oz The sexes are the same Adults of the nominate subspecies have a black cap from forehead to nape and a rufous orange band across their hindneck They are green from their lores to below their eye and yellow on their lower face sides of their neck and their upper breast Their back and wings are dull green with dark blue primaries and reddish blue axiillaries Their lower breast and belly are creamy white and their flanks thighs and vent area are apricot yellow Their tail s top surface is green with yellow feather tips and the lower surface is olive yellow Immature birds have pale yellow breasts and bellies Subspecies P m pallidus is similar to the nominate but has a whiter breast and belly and a paler rufous orange band on the hindneck 9 10 11 12 nbsp Front view nbsp Side view nbsp Back viewDistribution and habitat EditThe nominate subspecies of the black headed parrot is found from southeastern Colombia east through Venezuela and the Guianas and south into Brazil to the Amazon River Subspecies P m pallidus is found east of the Andes in southern Colombia eastern Ecuador and northeastern Peru 3 9 The species inhabits the canopy clearings and edges of humid lowland tropical forest of both terra firme and varzea types It also occurs in secondary forest In elevation it ranges as high as 1 000 m 3 300 ft but only in small numbers above 500 m 1 600 ft 9 10 11 12 Behavior EditMovement Edit The black headed parrot is nomadic in French Guiana to follow the pattern of food availability Its movements elsewhere if any have not been documented The species is typically seen in small flocks of up to about eight individuals 9 11 12 Feeding Edit The black headed parrot feeds on seeds fruit flowers and leaves 9 Flocks eat palm leaves apparently for their mineral content and do not visit clay licks 12 Breeding Edit The black headed parrot s nesting season varies widely across its range It includes April and May in Venezuela October and November in Suriname and spans from December to February in French Guiana It nests in tree cavities and the clutch size is believed to be two to four eggs In captivity the incubation period is 25 days and fledging occurs 10 weeks after hatch 9 4 nbsp Songs and callsListen to black headed parrot on xeno canto Vocalization Edit The black headed parrot s flight call is a high pitched and penetrating squealing skeeea skeeea 9 also described as a wheezy or squealing screech e g screeeyr screeyer screeyer screeyer 11 It is very vocal when perched where it makes a variety of calls some more musical others rather un birdlike 11 nbsp Breeders in a cageIn aviculture EditBlack headed parrots are popular in aviculture The only ways to determine gender of an individual black headed parrot are surgical sexing and DNA sexing DNA sexing is safer for the bird than surgical sexing Black headed parrots are playful and energetic pets They need a large cage with many toys and perches they tend to hop more than fly Cage minimum should be 24 L X 24 W X 36 H though the larger the better Maximum bar spacing is 1 The black headed parrot can have a tendency to bite so owners may need to set boundaries early on However potential owners should prepare for a bird that uses its beak more often than other parrot species Some Black headed parrots will poorly mimic human speech However they more commonly mimic other surrounding sounds such as alarm clocks smoke detectors microwave oven beeps laughs car alarms and whistles In addition caiques will combine sounds they have picked up to make new ones citation needed Status EditThe IUCN has assessed the black headed parrot as being of Least Concern It has a very large range and though its population size is not known it is believed to be stable No immediate threats have been identified 1 It is considered generally common throughout its range and vast areas of habitat remain Though it is a very common cage bird in Venezuela the international pet trade does not appear to be large 9 References Edit a b BirdLife International 2016 Black headed Parrot Pionites melanocephalus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22686079A93098194 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22686079A93098194 en Retrieved 4 March 2023 Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 4 March 2023 a b c d Gill F Donsker D Rasmussen P eds January 2023 Parrots cockatoos IOC World Bird List v 13 1 Retrieved 18 February 2023 a b Black headed Parrot Pionites melanocephalus parrots org World Parrot Trust Retrieved 4 March 2023 Remsen J V Jr J I Areta E Bonaccorso S Claramunt A Jaramillo D F Lane J F Pacheco M B Robbins F G Stiles and K J Zimmer 30 January 2023 Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories https www museum lsu edu Remsen SACCCountryLists htm retrieved 30 January 2023 a b Remsen J V Jr J I Areta E Bonaccorso S Claramunt A Jaramillo D F Lane J F Pacheco M B Robbins F G Stiles and K J Zimmer Version 30 January 2023 A classification of the bird species of South America American Ornithological Society https www museum lsu edu Remsen SACCBaseline htm retrieved 30 January 2023 a b Clements J F T S Schulenberg M J Iliff S M Billerman T A Fredericks J A Gerbracht D Lepage B L Sullivan and C L Wood 2021 The eBird Clements checklist of Birds of the World v2021 Downloaded from https www birds cornell edu clementschecklist download Retrieved 25 August 2021 a b HBW and BirdLife International 2022 Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world Version 7 Available at http datazone birdlife org userfiles file Species Taxonomy HBW BirdLife Checklist v7 Dec22 zip retrieved 13 December 2022 a b c d e f g h Collar N and P F D Boesman 2020 Black headed Parrot Pionites melanocephalus version 1 0 In Birds of the World J del Hoyo A Elliott J Sargatal D A Christie and E de Juana Editors Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca NY USA https doi org 10 2173 bow blhpar4 01 retrieved 4 March 2023 a b van Perlo Ber 2009 A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil New York Oxford University Press p 136 ISBN 978 0 19 530155 7 a b c d e Ridgely Robert S Greenfield Paul J 2001 The Birds of Ecuador Field Guide Vol II Ithaca Cornell University Press p 195 ISBN 978 0 8014 8721 7 a b c d McMullan Miles Donegan Thomas M Quevedo Alonso 2010 Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia Bogota Fundacion ProAves p 62 ISBN 978 0 9827615 0 2 Further reading Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pionites melanocephalus Parr M amp Juniper T 1998 A Guide to the Parrots of the World Pica Press East Sussex ISBN 1 873403 40 2 Restall R Rodner C amp Lentino M 2006 Birds of Northern South America Vol 1 amp 2 Helm London ISBN 0 7136 7242 0 vol 1 ISBN 0 7136 7243 9 vol 2 Schulenberg T Stotz D Lane D O Neill J amp Parker T 2007 Birds of Peru Helm London ISBN 978 0 7136 8673 9 Sigrist T 2006 Aves do Brasil Uma Visao Artistica ISBN 85 905074 1 6 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Black headed parrot amp oldid 1179724506, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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