Pionus As pets

Pionus As Pets

Pionus make adorable pets, they are described as easy going, sweet natured, reasonably quiet, entertaining and even clowns! The Pionus are often less demanding than other parrots.

Pionus parrots are on the Increase in the UK, of the five species generally available as pets, the Blueheaded and Maximillian are the most popular. Although you can obtain the White-capped, Dusky and Bronze-wing Pionus, they are not so readily available.

Cody - Blueheaded Pionus

By far Blueheads are considered the 'most beautiful' of all the pionus, this will often reflect in the price you pay. Blueheaded Pionus tend to be extremely sweet, loving and knowledgeable, not known to be great talkers, Blueheads use body language as a means of communication. They can show their love and affection by blinking their eyes, and making short whistle sounds in recognition of your voice. The beautiful colours of the Bluehead are more evident as they mature.

The Maximillian Pionus, not known for their beauty, and are often overlooked because of this, are the most outgoing of all the Pionus. They love attention, they can learn to talk, and infact many do! Maxi's love to hang upside down and perform bungee jumps from ropes. They are sweet, yet cheeky and mischievous.

Widget - Maximillian Pionus

Thurston - White-Capped Pionus

White-Capped Pionus are the smallest of all the Pionus, yet they fear little! They have a feisty nature, often hiding their sweetness. Some owners have stated that their White-capped can be stubborn, and yet others have reported how gentle they are. Seems no one bird is the same!

Dusky Pionus are a similar size to the White-Capped. These Pionus have a beautiful coloured plumage and are active, yet curious birds. Bronze-Wings are sweet natured, like all of the Pionus species but can be rather shy.


Raptor - Dusky Pionus	Elle - Bronze-Wing Pionus

All five species of Pionus make ideal pets, they are beautiful, relatively quiet and exceptionally sweet. They have a wonderful musky, almost fruity smell to them, and once you experience sniffing a Pionus, you become addicted! Commonly, you become known as a 'Pi-Sniffer'! Many books claim Pionus can live up to 40 years if cared for and given the correct diet.

Pionus are best obtained when they are young, once socialized, pionus mix well with members of the family and enjoy interaction with people. They are very affectionate, although they are not birds that particularly enjoy being cuddled, they do love a head scratch!

Pionus love toys and ropes, and will happily play for hours with a particular favourite. It is often best to purchase several toys and rotate them regularly to prevent boredom. They enjoy quiet moments with their human companions, they especially enjoy being read to, sitting quietly beside you they will listen to your voice and study your every move as you turn the pages of a book.

All Pionus make a 'rasping' sound, almost like panting, this is often due to excitement or stress. Once the bird has calmed down the rasping stops.

Another common characteristic is the well known 'Pionus Strut'!! Once witnessed, you will be quivering in your shoes!! These displays are a marvel to watch, they mean business, fanning their tails and opening up all their head feathers to make them look like lions. They strut on perches, on cages and ropes, whenever they feel the need to demonstrate who is boss!

Water is important to any Pionus, they love being sprayed, often mechanical sounds such as the noise of a Hoover or a sound from the television will spark them into 'spraying mode'. Pionus hang upside down, spread their wings, any position to obtain the maximum pleasure from water will be found.

Music is yet another joy, our Pionus will become more playful, and vocal when the radio is played, ours have a particular liking for anything loud!

They have a calm nature that makes them suitable with other family pets, but do always bear in mind, never leave any bird alone with a cat or dog for even a few seconds!

All in all, if you are looking for a suitable parrot companion you cannot go wrong with a Pionus.