Parrot Breeds - The Americas

Residing in northern South America the Black-headed Caique parrot species is a favorite of parrot enthusiasts. Their appearance is a total reflection of their personality as they are a fun loving friendly parrot.

Small in size, 23-25 cm, but high in energy they are very playful and smart and quickly learn new tricks.

There coloration is also playful with their black crown yellow collars and leggings. Their attire is completed with their pure white chests which is offset with the luminous green of their wings.

In the wild they are very vocal sounding a variety of shrieks. In captivity this parrot species is not known as a talker, but they do mimic sounds they hear including human whistles.

This parrot species has a range from the tropical forests of Central America to Brazil and Bolivia. The Blue-headed Pionus primarily inhabit forests in the upper branches of high trees.

They congregate in large flocks during breeding season are seen flying to their and from their feeding areas in the morning s and evenings.

The Blue-headed Parrot species is medium in size measuring about 28 cm.

As you can see from the photo their head is blue and their body and wings are mainly green with a hint of red on the wing tips.

As pets they are self entertaining and enjoy playing with toys and will entertain themselves for hours. They are affectionate but do not like cuddling. Their personality makes them acceptable as a beginner's parrot, but don't expect them to talk as this is not one of their qualities.

The Brown-hooded Parrot species is native to the southernmost areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and West Panama and Ecuador.

They are losing habitat as deforestation takes over their forest and woodland environment.

The brown hood gives this parrot species a different look as brown is not a normal color associated with parrots. A lighter shade of brown is below the hood and blends into the green of the rest of the body and feathers.

At only 21 cm this parrot species is among the smaller sizes.

The diet of the Brown-hooded Parrot is mainly seeds and fruit as they spend most of their time in the tops of the trees. They are said to be difficult to see in their natural environment because they are not a loud bird and tend to move around slowly.

No discussion of Americas parrot species would be complete without talking about the macaws.

This parrot species is widely used as the stars of bird and parrot shows and rightfully so. They are one of the largest of the parrots and can be up to 1 meter in length. They are also one of the most colorful of the many parrot species and are very intelligent.

Macaws are found throughout the south and central American hemisphere including Mexico and the Caribbean. Their favorite habitat is the rainforest and near water.

Macaws come in a variety of colors including the scarlet macaws pictured here.

Macaws are extremely friendly and enjoy spending time with people.

Macaws do make good pets but consideration must be account for their size if raising a large one as well as the fact that they can be a rather loud bird.

The Plain Parakeet bears the name of a simple parrot species. They don't exhibit the glamour and splendor of the macaws and yet there are a tremendous number of parakeets in homes around the world.

The Plain Parakeet has a solid green coloration. It is the plainest of the parakeets. Their range is mostly restricted to Brazil in the south and east.

This parrot species is in no danger of decline as it has adapted very easily to urban environments as its natural habitat has declined.

The Plain Parakeet is 23-25 cm in length and they tend to screech as they fly so they are very noticeable as they move around in public areas.

They have a good temperament and are playful and social.

This parrot species, also known as the monk parrot, is known for its building ability. It is the only parrot species that builds its own nests from twigs and sticks. In addition they link multiple nests together into communities.

The Quaker Parrot is from central Bolivia, southern Brazil to Ecuador. They have a length of about 29 cm.

Quaker Parrots are communal and get together as flocks in nesting activities, flight and feeding.

They have a gray forehead and belly with green wings and back.

With a lifespan of 25-30 years they make great pets as they are very friendly playful and bond well with humans.

Some escaped Quaker Parrots have created a colony in Brooklyn New York. This is quite a departure from their normal South American habitat.

The Bronze-winged Pionus Parrots are native to the Andes of Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. The live on average 25 years but can live up to 40 years.

They are a small parrot of only about 29 cm in length. You can see from the picture how they arrived at their name with the patch of bronze feathers on their wings. Their coloration is accentuated with the white around their eyes and pink and white chin which contrasts with the deep blue of the tail feathers.

The Bronze-winged Pionus is good beginners parrot as it is easily tamed. Once tamed the owner can expect a parrot with a very calm and easy going personality. They are fairly intelligent and fun to own.

This parrot bonds well with its owner and like most parrots thrives on attention, so don't forget the toys to keep them busy when you're not around. Keep in mind that they are an active parrot and should be exercised outside the cage.

The Rose Faced Parrot can measure in from 23-34 cm in length. With its home territory in western Columbia and Ecuador.

The parrots coloration is mainly green with distinguishing rose coloration on the face.

They have friendly personality and do well in captivity. However, it is best that they have a mate or company in the aviary as they are a very social bird.

There is nothing unusual about their diet as they eat grain, seeds, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet like most parakeets is small in size with an average length of only 20-25 cm.

These small birds call the Amazon river basin their home as they range through parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and even parts of Argentina.

They were once the most imported parrot into the United States and escapees have flourished and made their homes in California, Florida and even New York and Connecticut.

They are mainly green in color with a bit of yellow on the wing tips which accounts for their name.