Pionus 234723 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]]