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Quiet little birds with a sweet & laid back disposition, the Pionus
becomes high strung and nervous when excited. Pionus that
become excited almost always wheeze.

They are not known for their talking ability, but some birds can
and do learn a nice vocabulary. Some birds will learn to scream
if they are exposed to loud noises. The Blue Headed Pionus and
Maximilian's are the two species that are best as talkers.

Pionus are not good at learning tricks, but are good cuddlers and
like attention from their owners. Because of their gentle nature,
Pionus are good pet birds when children are around.


Facts about Pet Pionus

Pionus are pronounced as: pie-oh-nus

Pionus live from 15 to 25  years
They are about 9 to 12" in length

Pionus come from Latin America.

All Pionus are a bit stocky with a short square tail.

Pionus are very obedient and not as hard headed as many other parrots.


Pionus are monomorphic, meaning males and females look the same.
Other than lab testing, there is no real way to tell the difference.

In general, the males are a bit more aggressive in behavior.


Pionus types include:

Blue-headed
Maximilian's
White-capped
Dusky
Bronze-winged


Minimum cage size is 18"W x 22"L x 24"H

Keep cages away from drafts, open windows and the kitchen.
Pionus are sensitive to smoke and strong odors. Cover the
cage at night to prevent drafts.

Have perches of different widths, diameters and textures
to help keep a Pionus' feet healthy.

They are good at chewing things, so provide an adequate amount
of chew toys.


Pionus feeding

Feed a pet Pionus 2-3 teaspoons per day of a pellet or seed-based,
fortified small parrot diet.


About 5-10% of a Pionus' diet should be bite-sized fruits and
veggies like apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, sweet potatoes,
broccoli, spinach, dandelion, mustard greens and shredded
carrots. Offer daily or every 2-3 days.


Provide a cuttle bone or mineral block.


Pionus should always have access to clean, fresh water.
Don't use tap water. We recommend Steam Distilled water
for it's purity.


How to recognize that a Pionus is Healthy

A curious and active disposition
Clear, bright eyes
Clean, smooth feathers
Eats throughout the day
Normal droppings that are not excessively runny for more than a
couple of days


If your Pionus exhibits these symptoms he may be getting sick

Change in droppings in excess of two days
Decreased appetite; weight loss
Decreased activity and grooming behavior
Discharge from nose or mouth; sneezing
Feathers fluffed for prolonged periods of time
Sitting at the bottom of cage
Wheezing or coughing


Picture Pionus


Mary's Pionus Page for more info and Pionus Pictures