Pionites melanocephalus
The Black-headed Parrot, or Black-headed Caique, is a strikingly colored, medium-sized parrot native to northern South America, belonging to the genus *Pionites* within the true parrot family, Psittacidae. Measuring 23-25 cm (9-10 inches) in length and weighing 150-170 grams, this species is immediately recognizable by its jet-black cap, contrasting sharply with a creamy-white to yellowish breast. Its back, wings, and upper tail are a vibrant green, while its thighs, flanks, and lower belly b...
This species primarily inhabits lowland tropical rainforests, including terra firme and várzea forests, as well as gallery forests and forest edges, typically at elevations below 1000 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of various fruits (especially figs and palm fruits), seeds, flowers, and nectar, occasionally supplemented with insects or larvae, which they forage for in the forest canopy.
Black-headed Parrots are highly social and diurnal, typically observed in small to medium-sized flocks of 10-30 individuals, though larger congregations can form at abundant food sources or communal roosts. They are exceptionally agile and acrobatic, moving through the canopy with remarkable dext...
The Black-headed Parrot is a non-migratory resident species found across a broad swathe of northern South America. Its distribution extends from eastern Colombia, through southern and southeastern Venezuela, across Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. In Brazil, its range covers the northern Amaz...
Least Concern
- The Black-headed Parrot is famous for its playful, energetic 'caique dance,' which involves rocking, head-bobbing, and even rolling on its back. - They are one of only two species in the unique genus *Pionites*, the other being the White-bellied Caique. - Despite their relatively small size, th...