Hawk-Headed Parrot

Scientific name: Deroptyus accipitrinus

Subspecies:

• Hawk-Headed Parrot
  Deroptyus A. accipitrinus (Linne)
• Buff Hawk-Headed Parrot
  Deroptyus A. Fuscifrons (Hellmayr)

   There is just a single member in the genus Derptyus, but with two sub-species. The differences between the two subspecies are in the appearance, the head and crown of the D. a. fuscifrons is streaked with buff; and in the location of their natural habitats.

Distribution:
   The Hawk-Headed Parrots are found in South America. The accipitrinus sub-species are found along the Amazon basin north of the river and up into southern Venezuela. The fuscifrons subspecies are found south of the Amazon River going down into northern Brazil.

Description:
   The Hawk-Headed Parrot is approximately the size of an Amazon with the length reaching about 14" (35 cm). However, the feel of the body is slender and the weight is less than that of the Amazon almost making one believe this bird is more fragile when it is not.
   The lower part of the face has dark brown feathers interspersed with buff. The color of the crown starts as buff and your attention is drawn immediately to the colorful crown feathers. The crown feathers are very long and can be extended, at will, displaying a circular crown of burgundy feathers tipped in blue. The chest from the neck down to the tail also has the burgundy feathers tipped in blue. The back and the upper sides of the wings and the legs are a dark forest green. The undersides of the wings are forest green at the tips and blend to a dark brown or black going toward the body.

Housing:
   A roomy cage is required for the Hawk-Headed Parrot. This is an active parrot that likes to play and swing upside down from toys expanding its wings and crown at the same time. It is recommended that a cage be 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep. They love to be out of their cage to play with their human and will make anything available to them into a toy. The favorite place to perch is the top of your head and they are quite demanding in their desire to join you for meals.
   A variety of perches should be used of varying size and texture. A rougher texture rather than smooth (such as a doll rod) makes it easier for them to perch and is better for their feet and legs. A concrete perch can be placed as the highest perch in the cage and next to a toy. At times during the day they will perch there and it will save them (and you) from the ordeal of having their nails filed. They love a little cubbyhole to sleep in and will definitely make use of the furry bird beds that are available. They are more secure with the back of the cage (and their bed) against or close to a wall or in a corner of the room given there is light. These parrots can be shy and frighten easily when approached from the back.
   They can tolerate a wide variety of temperatures from quite cold to very warm. However, they should be kept away from any drafts. Food and water should be available to the Hawk-Headed Parrot at all times. The water should be kept fresh and changed daily and the bowels should be kept clean.
  Their cage should be kept clean and this is quite easy to do with cage paper or newspaper under the grate and just pulled as needed. The cage should be wiped down with a disinfectant when needed to insure its cleanliness.

To learn more about housing see: Basic Bird Care: Housing

Care and feeding:
  They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat. They do require a higher fat diet, similar to the macaw and they definitely enjoy those nuts and meat. Human food or prepared foods should be removed from the cage after 4 hours.
   They require frequent bathing to keep their feathers healthy and are happy to do so in the kitchen sink or the shower. Turn the water on a light spray and they will frequently lay on their backs with their feet straight up displaying the full extent of crown as they bounce up and down on their backs.

To learn more about feeding see: Basic Bird Care: Feeding

Social Behaviors:
   In the wild these parrots associate in pairs within a small flock. As a pet in your home, you or members of your family are the other half of the pair. They sleep singly in a tree but close to the flock. They are very social and will become quite attached to their human caretaker, as well as very willing to interact with other people. Their call is either a very soft cooing or talking when in it wants affection or is curled up on your chest or under your neck.
   The Hawk-Headed Parrot is quiet when playing alone in its cage or with you. At times though, they become very excited or upset and they will make a high-pitched call that can be quite loud. They are having a temper tantrum. This definitely occurs if you eat in front of them without sharing your food or when they feel they should be the boss. The Hawk-Headed Parrot will make a hissing sound if it is mad or frightened which is believed to be a defensive behavior. It is definitely a sound that most living things would surely back away from.
   .In "A Monograph of the Hawk-Head Parrot", Deborah Westi-Petererson, states that these endearing parrots can pose some problems as they mature because they often become very protective of their territory. She also states their play can be rough and that while playing with your Hawk-Headed Parrot, care should be taken so it does not become overly excited. Just having a few seconds of time out will prevent this.

Handling/Training:
   The Hawk-Headed Parrots are quite intelligent and they have a great desire to please you and be with you. This makes training fairly easy given the owner is consistent in their teachings. Sharing your food at any meal, playing with your Hawk-Headed Parrot, or saying "I Love you" or "good" are positive reinforcements for your pet. Separating the Hawk-Headed Parrot from its human is punishment. A bird behaviorist told me that "Jail" is the quickest and easiest way to stop a poor behavior in a parrot. She defined "Jail" as confining the parrot away from you, in the dark, but for no more than three minutes. I chose to use the bathroom and I place the parrot in the bathtub with the lights out for 3 minutes. I have found it takes about three trips to "Jail" and that particular poor behavior is eliminated - at least for a while. Frequently, if you say, "Don't" to the Hawk-Headed Parrot and it doesn't work, then use the word "Jail" and there is usually a positive reaction from your mischievous pet.
   Don't try and reprimand the parrot for a natural behavior because it became overly excited. Just talk softly and assure them that you are the boss and everything is all right and don't forget to share your food.
   Maybe we should equate this bird to the written word about pirates. Both are said to be strong, adventurous, bold, fearless, fun loving, romantic and very loyal to their crew. However, both have their own set or rules and the Hawk-Headed Parrot will change them at will and certainly not tell you. It is your consistent behavior and teaching that will insure you have a wonderful companion with this beautifully colored parrot and its many faceted behaviors.

Activities:
   The Hawk-Headed Parrot is quite creative in its ability to amuse both themselves as well as their human companions. They definitely enjoy swinging from toys and playing its music box (I have found that they love the bird music boxes). Of course they will swing from your hair or shirt with the same enthusiasm. It would seem that the Hawk-Headed Parrot is happiest when eating with you or on your head, exploring the house for new toys, or teasing you while you try to do the dishes or read a book.
   Now, what should you do if you place your Hawk-Headed Parrot on its perch and it only stays for 2 minutes? Then it flies to you landing on your head wanting attention. Respond positively like you would to a 3 year old human who wants affection! As mentioned above, the favorite perch of the Hawk-Headed Parrot is your head. If you think of this feathered pet creature as being a feathered three-year-old child you should not have any problems.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Initially, the Hawk-Headed Parrots were difficult to breed but they are becoming more available as breeders become successful with their knowledge of the Hawk-Headed Parrot's nesting and breeding behaviors.
   In the wild the Hawk-Headed Parrot Parrot is usually seen in pairs and as part of a small flock. They do live and sleep singly in trees. They select their mate at a young age many years before they are ready to breed. Their courtship prior to mating is elaborate. The male and female stand about 6 inches apart and call back and forth to each other in a high pitched rhythm. They walk approximately half circle to the right and then back to the left displaying their colorful fully extended crowns while they raise and lower their heads in a bobbing motion.
   Three eggs are normally laid and hatched in approximately 26 days. The babies start to fledge in the wild at approximately 10 weeks old. They wean while being hand fed at about 4 months.

Sexual differences: No visible differences.

Potential Problems:
   We could not find any diseases or ailments that were unique to the Hawk-Headed Parrot. Any ailments and the treatments are similar to that of any other parrot.

Availability:
   Until recently the Hawk-Headed Parrot was almost impossible to obtain because of lack of success in domestic breeding. Today it is a little easier to acquire this creature but you have to have patience. They are rarely found, if ever, in a pet store. You would need to call a breeder inquiring as to who breeds the Hawk-Headed Parrots and place your name on the waiting list. You should call the breeder certainly more than once to assure them of your interest and starting in the spring, inquire regarding about possible hatch dates. The cost of a Hawk-Headed Parrot usually runs between $1200 and $1800.