The Basics:

Pionus Parrots are known for their pleasant personalities. Compared other parrots of a similar size, Pionus Parrot are less active, less destructive, and quieter, but still affectionate and responsive to training. They can also learn how to talk, though not to the extent that some other parrots master the gift of gab. Daily attention and socialization are important, but they do not require the same level of attention as an Amazon or African Grey. Although they’re on the shy side, they will bond with several members of a family.

Cage:

Despite its relatively small size, the Pionus Parrot needs spacious living quarters. Its cage should be at least 24" long by 24" wide by 32" high with spacing no wider than 5/8”. A Pionus Parrot is not as strong as a macaw but may still chew on its cage, so strength should be a factor when choosing a cage. A welded cage provides the safest, strongest enclosure.

CAUTION

In most cases, more space is more desirable for birds. However, when increasing the size of a Pionus Parrot’s cage, the bird’s human companion must be careful to maintain a safe (narrow) space between the bars. The bars of a cage have to be narrow enough to prevent a bird from sticking his head in between. Bars that are spaced too far apart for the bird’s size can result in serious and even fatal injuries.

Positioning The Cage:

At least one side of a cage should be placed against a wall to provide a sense of security. Pionus Parrots also feel safer when they are higher up, since they can see more. The cage should be placed in a high traffic area where it is easily accessible. A Pionus Parrot finds entertainment in watching people and interacting with them, even when inside a cage. The cage should be placed away from windows and vents.  No bird’s cage should ever be located in the kitchen, since cooking fumes, smoke and changing temperatures pose a serious, and sometimes even fatal, health hazard. 

A Pionus Parrot requires toys to keep her mentally and physically stimulated. Most of them thoroughly enjoy their toys, and require less attention if they’re given a variety of playthings.  The parrot’s human companion should alternate toys on a regular basis to keep the bird interested in them. Wooden toys are particularly appealing, since Pionus Parrots enjoy chewing.  Toys should be checked frequently for damage, and should be cleaned regularly.

Perches:

Like birds of comparable size, Pionus Parrots require perches between ¾” and 1” inh in diameter. At least one wooden perch is necessary, to provide a material similar to that found in a Pionus Parrot’s natural environment, but other perch types, such as rope, plastic, or even concrete help provide variety. A range of widths and textures helps prevent damage to the foot from constantly being in the same position. The Pionus Parrot prefers to be perched as highly as possible when sleeping. One perch should be placed higher than the others, in a more secluded area of the cage, such as a corner. As with any cage set-up, perches should not be placed over food or water dishes, to prevent soiling. A perch should be placed in front of, but not above, food and water dishes.

Play Time Outside The Cage:

Pionus Parrots do require time with their owners and time outside of the cage. A good play gym with lots of toys and climbing opportunities is well worth the investment, since Pionus Parrots play alone more than other species of parrots. Human companions should make sure that the room is bird-safe and escape-proof, before letting the Pionus Parrot out of the cage.

Grooming:

Consult veterinarian or literature about trimming nails and possibly flight feathers.

Bathing:

Provide shallow bowl of chlorine-free water for supervised bathing. You can also mist bird with chlorine-free water. Water must be lukewarm to room temperature. Avoid drafts. Remove bath bowl when finished.

Diet:

In the wild, Pionus Parrots eat a diverse diet of fruit, seeds and flowers, particularly bananas. A pet Pionus Parrot should also eat a diverse diet with a majority of it, from 65-75%, consisting of pellets. (Following manufacturer’s feeding instructions.) The rest of the diet should prominently feature green vegetables or legumes, with a smaller amount, around 5%, of fruits and very rarely nuts. Fruits and vegetables should be rinsed, dried and cut into appropriately sized pieces before being offered to this bird. Fruit pits and seeds should be removed before offering them to a Pionus Parrot. Water must be constantly monitored, to ensure that it is fresh and clean and changed as needed. Droppings or stray bits of food in water can encourage bacterial growth; however, a Pionus Parrot will continue drinking it.  Only clean filtered or bottled water should be given to the bird. 

A Note About Water:

All water given to birds for drinking, as well as water used for misting, soaking or bathing must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals.  (Not all home water filtration systems remove 100% of the chlorine and heavy metals from tap water, so check your system's specifications before using it to filter water for your pet.) We recommend that you use unflavored bottled drinking water or bottled natural spring water and never untreated tap water. Do not use distilled water, which can cause severe medical problems, since it lacks minerals that are essential to important body functions.