Black-headed Parrot
Pionites melanocephalus
Medium-sized, stocky parrot that is distinctive even under poor lighting conditions; note black cap and contrasting white-and-yellow pattern on face, breast, and belly. Common in a variety of forest types, especially those on sandy soils. Usually seen in groups of 4-5 or more. Groups forage quietly on fruit and flowers in forest canopy, flushing noisily with distinctive whirring wingbeats that are audible at some distance. Flight call is a penetrating screech, somewhat similar to Red-fan Parrot but higher-pitched and less variable.
Identification
The black-headed parrot is 21 to 25 cm (8.3 to 9.8 in) long and weighs 130 to 170 g (4.6 to 6.0 oz). The sexes are the same. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a black cap from forehead to nape and a rufous-orange band across their hindneck. They are green from their lores to below their eye, and yellow on their lower face, sides of their neck, and their upper breast. Their back and wings are dull green with dark blue primaries and reddish blue axiillaries. Their lower breast and belly are creamy white and their flanks, thighs, and vent area are apricot yellow. Their tail's top surface is green with yellow feather tips and the lower surface is olive-yellow. Immature birds have pale yellow breasts and bellies. Subspecies P. m. pallidus is similar to the nominate but has a whiter breast and belly and a paler rufous-orange band on the hindneck.
Taxonomy
The black-headed parrot was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae. He placed it with all the other parrots in the genus Psittacus and coined the binomial name Psittacus melanocephalus. Linnaeus based his account on the "white-breasted parrot" that had been described and illustrated in 1751 by the English naturalist George Edwards in his multivolume work "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds". Linnaeus gave the type locality as Mexico but this has been changed to Caracas in Venezuela as given by Edwards. The black-headed parrot is now placed together with the white-bellied parrot in the genus Pionites that was introduced in 1890 by the German ornithologist Ferdinand Heine. The generic name combines the genus Pionus that was introduced by Johann Wagler in 1832 with the Ancient Greek -itēs meaning "resembling". The name Pionus is from the Ancient Greek piōn, pionos meaning "fat". The specific epithet melanocephalus combines the Ancient Greek melas meaning "black" with -kephalos meaning "-headed".<p>Two subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Pionites melanocephalus
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Pionites
Range and habitat
The nominate subspecies of the black-headed parrot is found from southeastern Colombia east through Venezuela and the Guianas and south into Brazil to the Amazon River. Subspecies P. m. pallidus is found east of the Andes in southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northeastern Peru. The species inhabits the canopy, clearings, and edges of humid lowland tropical forest of both terra firme and várzea types. It also occurs in secondary forest. In elevation it ranges as high as 1,000 m (3,300 ft) but only in small numbers above 500 m (1,600 ft).
- Migration
- Nomadic
Behavior
Migration pattern: Nomadic.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-winged Cacique
Cassiculus melanicterus
Spectacular and conspicuous black-and-yellow bird of tropical lowlands in west Mexico. Favors deciduous forest and edges, plantations, and hedges with tall trees; often in towns and villages, especially near streams and rivers. Usually in flocks, moving through the canopy to feed at flowering and fruiting trees, but also feeds readily on the ground; often associates with flocks of jays. No similar species in range. Note the raised crest that flares up like a floppy fountain spray.
Tylas Vanga
Tylas eduardi
Medium-sized vanga with a white collar, a black head, and normally rufous underparts. Madagascar endemic that is primarily found in the eastern rainforest, and occasionally in western dry deciduous forest, where a white-breasted subspecies occurs. Active mid-story bird that joins flocks with other birds. Most common vocalization is a couple of quick notes followed by an explosive whistle: “chu-chow-wheeeet.” Much smaller-billed than Pollen’s Vanga. Similar to Ashy Cuckooshrike, but has buffy, or occasionally whitish, but never gray underparts.
African Wood-Owl
Strix woodfordii
Chunk brown mid-sized owl. Has a big, round head without ear tufts, heavy barring below, and white crescents on the face. Varies geographically from being dark brown to pale rufous-brown. Found in thick woodland, forest, gardens, and plantations. Male gives a long, rising “hu-wuuuuu” call, and both sexes give a gruff up-and-down series (“hu-ho-hu-ho-ho-ho”), often in duet. Larger than owlets, and lacks the ear tufts of eagle-owls.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.