White-capped pionus parrots are beautiful, curious, intelligent birds that can make excellent pets for the right people. However, not everyone is well suited to care for one of these birds, especially considering that they can live for 30 years or more. The smallest of the eight pionus species, it is feisty for a pionus, but still laid back compared to other parrots, like Amazons, macaws, or cockatoos. 

Origin and History

The white-capped pionus is native to the forests and woodlands of Central America and Mexico. Usually, they live in forests and dense growth, nesting in hollow tree trunks and palms. Found in flocks of about one dozen birds, these are mostly silent and peaceful creatures.

Temperament

White-capped pionus are known to be feisty and comical, as well as sweet, affectionate little birds. They are brilliant and take well to training when their owners are patient and consistent. These parrots thrive when given social interaction and mental stimulation from playing and learning tricks.

These birds tend to get shy around strangers. Around their owners, they like to hang out on their shoulders or arms, dancing, playing, and waiting for a chance to make a game out of stealing items like pens or buttons. They tend to get attached to a single person whom they trust the most.

You will have to keep a close eye on this bird when it is out of the cage. It has a notoriously curious nature and can get into trouble if not closely supervised.

Speech and Vocalizations

Like other pionus parrots, the white-capped birds have a reputation for being slightly quieter than other hookbill parrots and make a great apartment bird. However, a houseful of screaming children, barking dogs, and blaring televisions can easily teach the sedate pionus to be noisy.

They do have the ability to talk, but often clam up around those they aren't familiar with. Pionus are not the best talkers, but some have an impressive vocabulary. Their speaking voice isn’t always crystal clear and is often a little raspy, but an owner can generally make out what their bird is saying. Usually, they will learn a few simple words like their name, the name of people in the house, and will repeat more common sounds like whistles, whispers, beeps, and animal sounds.

White-Capped Pionus Colors and Markings

Compared to adults, juvenile white-capped pionus are dull and dingy looking. As young birds, this feature helps keep them camouflaged from predators in the wild.

Like the name suggests, the top of their head is pure white with another little white spot under their chin. Mature adult white-capped pionus are mostly green and dark blue. These colors cover the majority of their head, throat, chest, belly, and back. It has yellow-green patches on their shoulders, and as with all pionus, red feathers on the underside of their tails.

The white-capped pionus is a monomorphic species, meaning it is impossible to tell males from the females based on looks alone. This bird requires a genetics test or a surgical sexing procedure to determine sex.

Caring for the White-Capped Pionus

Cages used to house Amazons are suitable for white-capped pionus parrots. Consider a cage that is at least 4 feet tall and 4 feet long by 2 feet wide. Bar spacing should be no larger than 3/4-inch.

Pionus parrots might make a wheezing sound when frightened or excited, which an owner might mistake for a medical condition. Pionus also give off a musky or sweet odor that some caretakers find unpleasant, but others like.

Ensure they get a bath regularly, and don’t hesitate to take them with you in the shower.

Common Health Problems

Pionus parrots are susceptible to fungal infections, visceral gout (a kidney infection), and aspergillosis, which is indicated by heavy, difficult breathing. They may also be prone to vitamin A deficiency.

Diet and Nutrition

In the wild, pionus parrots eat fruits, berries, seeds, blossoms, and corn. In captivity, white-capped pionus should be fed a high-quality seed and pellet mix, along with a variety of fresh foods like bird-safe fruits and vegetables. White-capped pionus love eating corn, particularly corn on the cob, so make sure to make it a regular snack for these lovely birds.

Occupying your bird with new foods is not only nutritionally beneficial, but it also offers essential mental stimulation for your feathered friend. You can give them an unlimited amount of pellet food; they will only eat what they need. As for fresh fruits and veggies, offer about a 1/8 to 1/4 cup in the morning and at night.

Exercise

All pionus parrots are active birds and need 3 to 4 hours of exercise outside of the cage every day to stay healthy. If you cannot provide outside-of-cage time, this bird will need a massive cage or aviary to get ample exercise.

This exercise should occur in a safe, bird-proofed area with windows closed, ceiling fans turned off, and other indoor animals removed. Supervise playtime to make sure that your bird does not get into anything that could be toxic or otherwise harmful. A playpen is ideal for outside-of-cage play. Playthings can include climbing ropes, chains, bells, parrot swings, and wooden or other bird toys.