Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus)

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

black-headed_parrot
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Eastern Ecuador

black-headed_parrot
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Loreto, Peru

black-headed_parrot
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Loreto, Peru

black-headed_parrot
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Eastern Ecuador


Identification & Behavior: ~21.5 cm (8.4 in). The Black-headed Parrot has a black cap and bill. The upperparts are green. The sides of the head, thighs, and vent area are yellow.  The tail is relatively short, green, and square. It is similar to the White-bellied Parrot but is distinguished by the black cap and black bill. The range of these two parrots is separated by the Amazon and Ucayali Rivers.

Status: The Black-headed Parrot is uncommon in Amazonia. It ranges on the north side of the Amazon River and west side of the Ucayali River. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Br.

Name in Spanish: Loro de Cabeza Negra.

Sub-species: Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus pallidus), Berlepsch, 1889.

Meaning of Name: Pionites: Gr related to the genus Pionus. melanocephalus: Gr. melas = black; and -kephalos, kephale = his head, head.

See more of the Family Psittacidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
black-headed parrotVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 08/01/2015.