Pionites melanocephalus melanocephalus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Black-headed Parrot
French : Caïque à tête noire

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 23 cm and a weight of 170 g. Black bill, black head with yellow-orange cheeks, rufous-orange nape. Green wings, dirty white belly, yellow-orange thighs. Subspecies with brighter neck, nape and less clean white belly.

Range and habitat
Subspecies found from southeast Colombia to Venezuela, Guianas and Brazil north of the Amazon. Other subspecies occurs from Colombia to northeast Peru. Lives in lowland humid forests, nearby second-growth and clearings, to 1000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is common within its large range and many areas with pristine habitat still remain. Targeted for the trade, especially in Venezuela.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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