Pionus
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224771838
2008-07-10T10:17:50Z
Snowmanradio
626138
/* Species */ tyupo
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Pionus''
| image = White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis) -pet on dish.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = [[White-crowned Parrot]], ''Pionus senilis''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Psittaciformes]]
| familia = [[Psittacidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Psittacinae]]
| tribus = [[Neotropical parrots|Arini]]
| genus = '''''Pionus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]] [[1832]]</small>
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''P. menstruus''<br>
''P. sordidus''<br>
''P. maximiliani''<br>
''P. senilis''<br>
''P. tumultuosus''<br>
''P. seniloides'' (species or subspecies)<br>
''P. chalcopterus''<br>
''P. fuscus''
}}
'''''Pionus''''' is a [[genus]] of medium-sized [[parrot]]s native to [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. Characteristic of the genus are the chunky body, bare eye ring, (which can vary in color), and short tail. They are superficially similar to [[Amazon parrot]]s, but smaller. Coloration is generally subdued yet complex; under bright lighting, their feathers shimmer with iridescent brilliance. All species share a the bright red [[Covert (feather)|undertail coverts]]; the scientific name of one species, the Blue-headed Parrot (''P. menstruus''), refers to this. Males and females are similar, with no notable [[sexual dimorphism]].
==Classification==
* [[Blue-headed Parrot]] (or Blue-headed Pionus), ''Pionus menstruus''
* [[Red-billed Parrot]] (or Red-billed Pionus, Coral-billed Parrot, Coral-billed Pionus), ''Pionus sordidus''
* [[Scaly-headed Parrot]] (or Scaly-headed Pionus, Maximilian's Pionus, Maximilian's Parrot), ''Pionus maximiliani''
* [[White-crowned Parrot]] (or White-crowned Pionus), ''Pionus senilis''
* [[Speckle-faced Parrot]] (or Speckle-faced Pionus), ''Pionus tumultuosus''
** Plum-crowned Parrot (or Plum-crowned Pionus), ''Pionus (tumultuosus) tumultuosus''
** White-capped Parrot (or White-headed Pionus), ''Pionus (tumultuosus) seniloides''
* [[Bronze-winged Parrot]] (or Bronze-winged Pionus), ''Pionus chalcopterus''
* [[Dusky Parrot]] (or Dusky Pionus), ''Pionus fuscus''
==Pets==
''Pionus'' parrots are regarded as excellent pets, although some species are very rare in captivity. Most commonly kept species are the Blue-headed, Maximillian (Scaly-headed) and White-capped. Others, such as the Dusky and the Bronze-winged have become more common due to captive breeding.
''Pionus'' parrots are quieter than Amazon Parrots.<ref name = "DA 2003">{{cite book |first = David| last = Alderton | title = The ultimate encyclopedia of caged and aviary birds | isbn = 184309164X |pages= p. 228| publisher = Hermes House |location = London, England | year = 2003}}</ref> Unlike some other [[companion parrot]]s, [[aviculturist]]s have noted that they are not particularly energetic, and do not generally enjoy hands-on play (for example, being flipped on their backs), but they do provide companionship and are described as gentle and charming pets.
When excited or frightened, birds of this genus emit a characteristic wheezing or snorting sound that is sometimes mistaken for a sign of distress, or a symptom of disease. They also give off a musky or sweet odor that some caretakers find unpleasant, but others enjoy.
''Pionus'' parrots are susceptible to obesity, vitamin A deficiency, and [[aspergillosis]] in captivity. These conditions, with the exception of aspergillosis, are easily prevented.
==Species==
{| width = 98% class="wikitable"
! align="center" style="background-color: #D3D3A4" colspan ="4" |'''Species'''
|-
! width = "20%" |Common and binomial names
! width = "18%" |Image
! align="center" |Description
! width = "18%" |Range
|-
|[[Blue-headed Parrot]]<br>(''Pionus menstruus'')
|<center>[[Image:Pionus menstruus.jpg|500x120px]]</center>
|Mostly green, blue head and neck. Red undertail coverts
|South America
|-
|[[Red-billed Parrot]]<br>(''Pionus sordidus'')
|<center>[[Image:Pionus_sordidus_-_Barraband.jpg|500x120px]]</center>
|Mostly green, maroon belly<br>([[Image:photograph requested.jpg]])
|South America
|-
|[[Scaly-headed Parrot]]<br>(''Pionus menstruus'')
|<center>[[Image:Pionus2.jpg|500x120px]]</center>
|Mostly green, specked head. Red undertail coverts
|South America
|-
|[[White-crowned Parrot]]<br>(''Pionus senilis'')
|<center>[[Image:White capped pionus 27g07.JPG|500x120px]]</center>
|Mostly dark green and dark blue. White forehead and crown and whitish throat. Olive shoulder patch. Light green belly. Red undertail coverts
|South America
|-
|[[Speckle-faced Parrot]]<br>and<br>Plum-crowned Pionus<br>(''Pionus tumultuosus'')
|<center>[[Image:Image-request.svg|500x120px]]</center>
|Sometimes split into two species.<br>([[Image:requested.jpg]])
|South America
|-
|[[Bronze-winged Parrot]]<br>(''Pionus chalcopterus'')
|<center>[[Image:Bronze-winged Parrot (Pionus chalcopterus).jpg|500x120px]]</center>
|Mainly dark bronze-green with red undertail coverts. The rump, tail and wings are dark blue and head is dark blue-green.
|South America
|-
|[[Dusky Parrot]]<br>(''Pionus chalcopterus'')
|<center>[[Image:Pionus fuscus-0.jpg|500x120px]]</center>
|Mostly grey, blue tail feathers with red undertail coverts
|South America
|}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.bookter.com/bigboy/pionusinfo.htm Pionus owner's web page]
* [http://www.upatsix.com/faq/pionus.htm Pionus info from Upatsix.com]
[[Category:pionus|*]]
[[Category:Aviculture]]
[[Category:Parrots]]
[[de:Rotsteißpapageien]]
[[es:Pionus]]
[[fr:Pionus]]
[[lt:Pionai (paukštis)]]
[[ru:Красногузые попугаи]]