Black-headed Parrot

Overview

The black-headed parrot (Pionites melanocephalus), also known as the black-crowned parrot or black-headed caique, is a species of bird in the family Psittacidae. It is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List and is generally considered common throughout its range.

Identification

• Length of 21 to 25 cm with a weight of 130 to 170 g, with no visible differences between sexes.
• Nominate subspecies display a black cap from forehead to nape, a rufous-orange band across the hindneck, and yellow lower face and upper breast.
• Wings are dull green with dark blue primaries, while the belly is creamy white and flanks are apricot yellow.
• Flight call is described as a high-pitched, penetrating squealing 'skeeea' or wheezy screech, and perched calls vary from musical to un-birdlike.

Habitat

Found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, inhabiting the canopy, clearings, and edges of humid lowland tropical forests. The species occurs in both terra firme and várzea forests, as well as secondary forest, reaching elevations as high as 1,000 m but rarely in large numbers above 500 m.

Diet

Feeds on seeds, fruit, flowers, and leaves. Flocks consume palm leaves, likely for their mineral content, and notably do not visit clay licks.

Did you know?

While they may poorly mimic human speech, they more commonly mimic surrounding sounds such as alarm clocks, smoke detectors, and car alarms, and have the ability to combine these picked-up sounds to create new ones.