Feeding and Exercising Your Pionus Parrot
My Pionus parrot in a coconut tree
Dr Mark 1961
Pionus Diet
Why are most of you feeding your Pionus parrot food that he does not need?
Most pet shop owners and Pionus parrot fanciers who run websites will tell you that it is vital that your bird is fed a commercial pellet feed. I am no fan of processed food, and a Pionus or any other parrot will do just as well if you feed him naturally.
My Parrot’s Daily Diet
After sharing my granola in the morning, my Pionus gets a slice of papaya or other fresh fruit, a banana, and a few tablespoons of passion fruit on top of his Lovebird seed mix. Later in the morning, he will get a tiny slice of cheese, perhaps a piece of chicken, raw vegetables (carrots and squash on a string), and on some days, a tiny chunk of scrambled eggs. After lunch, I will break open a fresh coconut for him and the other birds.
Is so much fresh fruit natural? Yes, it is, and it is the way that Pionus parrots survive in the wild. All of the fruits you provide should be free of pesticides. Your bird is small and will not be able to resist the buildup of toxins over his long life.
Parrots do not need to be fed a commercial diet. The “100% complete” pellets that you buy are cooked to extend shelf life, and many of the vitamins are destroyed by that cooking process. Parrots do, however, need access to all types of fresh food. All of the vitamins he needs can be provided naturally.
What to Feed Your Pionus Parrot
| Food | Amount |
|---|---|
Organic fresh fruit (papaya, passion fruit, coconut, etc.) | Over 50% |
Seeds, nuts, and vegetables | About 33% |
Cheese, chicken, and other protein sources | Less than 5% |
Minerals | Free Choice |
If you allow your Pionus to feed outside occasionally, he will pick up his minerals naturally.
DrMark1961
What About Minerals?
The only advantage of commercial pelleted food is that it can provide the minerals that are missing in your bird's fresh fruit-based diet. I allow my Pionus to sit outside most days. He likes to forage through the dirt or eat the mud and dried clay around an old stump that I had pulled out.
If you cannot take your bird outside often, leave a tray of clay and soil that he can forage through each day.
Pionus keeping in shape by struggling up the side of a banana tree.
DrMark1961
Exercising Your Pionus
I have provided my parrots with several activities so that they can keep themselves busy when I am not at home. Besides the window swing, they have a rope ladder, a wooden ladder that allows them to get around my house, and a small tray with some balls and other toys (although my Pionus usually leaves these things alone until I am home to interact with him.)
If the weather is nice, however, the best thing for your bird is to get him outside a little. If you are considering a Pionus or other parrot, read my article about exercising your parrot.
If there is any possibility that your parrot will escape and get lost, look into having his wings clipped. Some bird owners provide a large enclosure outdoors, so if you do not want to clip your bird's wings, this is another option.
Suggested Exercises
| Exercise | How It Helps |
|---|---|
Climbing | Good exercise for the legs, the neck, and often the wings, too. |
Wing flapping | Almost as good as flying to exercise the pectoral muscles. |
Games | Depending on the type of activity, this can be great for the whole body. |
Taking a walk | Great for bonding, mental stimulation, and mild climbing exercise. |
Why Bathing Is Important for Your Parrot
My bird loves to stand in the window when the rain is coming down, open his wings, and get soaked down to the skin. If you live in a colder area where a daily natural bath is not possible, please buy one of these sink perches and bathe your Pionus often. Remember that your Pionus is a tropical animal, and showers will control his natural dander, diminish any musky smell, and keep him happy and healthy.
My Pionus Parrot waking up in a Cocoa tree.
DrMark1961
Still Haven't Found a Pionus Parrot?
If you have not yet shared your house with a Pionus parrot, I would like to suggest this great little bird. He is not too large nor too small, neither dull nor flashy, not too loud or too quiet, and, although he can be alone when he needs to, he loves company, so he makes a great companion for any family or a good first bird for a young person with an interest in parrots.
One of the great advantages is that he does not bite often, certainly not like other parrots. The only hard bite I have suffered was when I left my bird alone all day, forgot to leave a light on, and did not return until late at night. I think his bite was out of anger.
Special Characteristics of the Pionus Parrot
Are you still unsure about buying a Pionus?
Beauty
All parrots are beautiful, but in my opinion, Pionus are some of the best-looking birds around, despite what some other parrot owners will claim. The many species of Macaw are definitely more flashy, but the Pionus's colors are impressive. I have the blue-headed variety, which I think is the most attractive, but there are several others available in the pet trade.
Size
Is the color not enough? These birds are not too large, standing only about 25 cm and weighing only about 250 grams. He is much too large for a parakeet cage but small enough to slip between the bars of a cage made for an Amazon or Macaw. If you are still looking, buy the largest enclosure you can afford and check on cages used to house a breeding pair of Cockatiels.
Lifespan
And make sure you always have plenty of space. They live about 40 years, but a lot of Pionus are known to be around even longer. If you do decide to bring a bird home, remember that this is a long-term commitment. If purchased for a young person, they will do okay if another bird is added later, but the new owner needs to give all of his birds some attention and free time away from the cage.
Socialization and Speech
When taking your bird out to socialize, you can teach your Pionus a lot of tricks but may not be able to teach him to talk. Some people find this very important.
Breeding
In the wild, Pionus breed in dead coconut trees, high and out of the reach of other animals. In the home, they are bred, but they are not as easy as some other parrot species, which is probably one of the reasons that they are expensive pets.
We all need a little grooming in the morning.
DrMark1961
Do Pionus Parrots Make Good Pets?
After owning several vicious parrots, I was amazed at the mellow personality my Pionus displayed as soon as he was introduced to my home. He did not care for my dogs and other exotics much but did not mind them when walking to my home office to socialize.
From the first day, he was willing to sit and watch me work but was always interested in a little socializing when I had time for him. When reclining in my easy chair after lunch, he likes to climb up and sit by me while I read or check the internet. In the evenings, he will abandon the other birds so that he can sit on my shoulder as I am typing.
Their great love of socializing is one of the reasons that Pionus fanciers recommend you let your bird out of the cage for at least 4 hours a day. (If you are not willing to interact that much, do not get a Pionus. I do know of one bird that is caged 24/7. He is angry and does not act like a normal gentle Pionus.)
My sweet bird´s special behavior is apparent every morning. After going to the window and calling out to the other animals on the farm, he comes over and sits on my knee while I am having breakfast. He likes granola—especially cashew nuts.
My Pionus out checking on the horses
DrMark1961
Getting Started
If you are considering getting a parrot, take the time to look into this great bird. There are some websites that will help you find a bird close to you. Just type in “Where can I find a Pionus parrot in (the name of your closest town or city),” and several sites will pop up.
I recommend the Blue-Headed Pionus, of course, but look around and do not purchase the first Pionus you find. They are not the cheapest bird out there, but several species are available for less, and a Pionus will definitely be your best choice.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Questions & Answers
Question: Are walnuts good for parrots?
Answer: The biggest problem with nuts is that they are high in fat. Birds love them and sometimes will eat nothing else. My Pionus will three or four cashew nuts when he is having breakfast with me, but after that, he gets fruit and some seeds. So, the fleshy part of the nut is fine. They are not toxic, but like all rich foods, they should be given in moderation. (Your parrot should still be hungry after eating his walnut snack.)
Question: My Sun Conure and Quaker fly around in the house after work. I am waiting for PIonus eggs to hatch at the breeder. Are there any issues adding a Pionus to the mix?
Answer: No, there should be no aggression issues between your birds, but since it is a mixture do not be surpised if they do not all want to hang out together. One Pionus I know of is always nervous around other birds, and my Pionus will run away from even my Lovebird, who does not have a mean bone in his little body.
Your new bird might just pick a perch in an unoccupied room when the other birds are flying around enjoying themselves. (Mine does, but it is becuase he wants to be in the same room as me.)
Comments
Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on November 27, 2017:
I thought he was lost for sure, and could not have been happier than when I saw him at my front door. He has been free ever since! (He has a cage to sleep in but I have not shut the door in years.)
Penny Leigh Sebring from Fort Collins on November 27, 2017:
Whew! Good thing your feathered friend had a good memory or good homing instincts, whichever one was in charge that day. Coming home means that he equates you and your home with love and safety, which is about as big a complement as you can get from a parrot.
femi from Nigeria on November 27, 2017:
I love parrots
Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on November 27, 2017:
Thanks Marie. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.
Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on November 27, 2017:
Penny, no, they will sometimes imitate a telephone, microwave, or doorbell, but they are not great speakers. I really do not mind, and compared to a bird like a Conure (which I had many years ago while in college in the US) they are awfully quiet.
Also, a note about going for walks, since I like your hiking hub so much. Several years ago I was leaving a neighbors house and when I stepped out of the gate a dune buggy (without mufflers) drove right in front of us. My Pionus was scared, and since I did not have him in a cage like the one you recommend in your article he flew away. Fortunately, he remembered where my house was and when I got home a half hour later he was waiting for me at the front door. It could have been a real tragedy, which is why that hiking cage you recommend is such a good thing.