Scaly Headed Parrot

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Scaly Headed Parrot
Latin: Pionus maximiliani
Other: Maitaca-verde (Br) • Loro de Maximilian (Es)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots

The Scaly-headed Parrot is one of the more common parrots on the east coast of Brazil. I saw these individuals in Itatiaia and behind Ubatuba.

I’ve tentatively identified the individual below as a Scaly-headed Parrot, by his grey neck and chest, small red patch at base of tail, light bill, and otherwise mostly green plumage. The principal distinguishing feature though is the “scaly” grey cap, seen on the bird above, perhaps eating figs.

The Scaly-headed Parrot’s range extends into the countries neighbouring Brazil.







Other English names: Scaly-headed Pionus, Maximilian Pionus, Maximilian Parrot, Maximilian's Pionus, or Maximilian's Parrot