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The Hawk-Headed Parrot - Deroptyus accipitrinus
Also known as Red-Fan parrot (commonly called hawkhead or HH for short)
Brazilian Hawkhead Parrot
Buff-Crowned Hawkhead Parrot
Hawk-headed parrots are unique and amazing Parrots. I have always admired these spectacular birds and was blessed to be able to obtain my own (Cassius) in September of 2007.
“Hawkheads” as they are commonly referred, are the only members of their genus – Deroptyus. The nominate species is the “Buff-Crowned Hawk-headed Parrot” (Deroptyus accipitrinus accipitrinus). The buff-crowned hawkhead originates north of Amazon from Amapa, Brazil, west across French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana and southern Venezuela to southeast Colombia, eastern Ecuador and northeast Peru (Lexicon of Parrots)
The sub-species, the “Brazilian Hawk-Headed Parrot” (Deroptyus accipitrinus fuscifrons), originates northern Brazil south of Amazon from northwest Maranhão west to upper Rio Madeira and its tributaries and south to northern Mato Grosso and northern Bolivia. (Lexicon of Parrots) Brazilian Hawkheads are very rare in aviculture. According to the rare species conservatory foundation, Brazilian Hawkheads number no more than a dozen in the United States. http://www.rarespecies.org/birdisland.pdf Lexicon of Parrots reports that their status in the wild still common in most parts; some population decline because of deforestation.
The buff-crowned hawkhead is a striking bird. They have a primarily green body, with their belly being maroon-colored with violet-blue tips. Their head is a grayish brown, streaked with light tan/grey feathers and a “buff” colored forehead . They have a crest (or fan) to match their belly, with elongated feathers that are maroon-colored tipped in violet blue. They can raise this fan to encircle their face whenever the mood strikes, whether it is to look fierce, for play or even affection if you give them a scritch in just the right spot. Behind their fan is a large patch of dark grey downy feathers, and it is here that some love to be scratched. They are small to medium sized birds, generally weighing around 230-270 grams and an overall length of approximately 35 cm. Brazilian hawkheads are similar, except that they have a darker head, and more red/ less blue on their bellies.
Hawkheads in the wild generally live in undisturbed forest, feeding in the canopy on fruits, and have been observed alone, in pairs and in very small family groups (5 or less). In the wild they feed on fruits (particularly palm fruits), berries, seeds, flowers, nuts and vegetable matter. In captivity, they should have access to plenty of fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts. There is some disagreement among hawkhead owners as to adding pellets to their diet, though I personally add small amounts of Harrison’s High Potency to Cassius’ diet. Hawkheads are very active birds and should be fed as such – they consume more food than most would expect (though I have read some accounts of exceptions to this rule!).
In the wild they have been observed to roost in tree hollows, and I have found trying to duplicate this to be appealing to my hawkhead. Cassius loves to “burrow” into things, especially at night. In his cage, he prefers to sleep on a corner shelf-perch, tucked in between a few of his toys.
The “typical” hawkhead is likened to a caique. They are active, energetic birds with a playful personality. From my own experience and talking with other hawkhead owners, Hawkheads are very good at keeping themselves entertained. They should have a wide variety of things to do and toys to play with. Because of their active personality, they should also be provided with a spacious cage, larger than some would expect for a bird of their size. Generally speaking a “macaw” cage is generally adequate, but care must be taken to get appropriate bar spacing so that they cannot get their head through the spaces. It also makes it easier for them to use their cage as hawkheads have relatiely small feet and its easier for them to grip cage bars that are closer together. 5/8” bar spacing is generally recommended but some birds do okay with up to (no wider than) 1” spacing.
Hawkheads are not generally known to be good talkers, though the ones that do have a cute “girly” sort of voice. Many seem to enjoy making sounds and whistles but have a limited vocabulary.
In reading accounts of other Hawkhead owners, most seem to prefer a bath to a misting. Cassius particularly does not like being misted but will zoom down to a running faucet to play in the water. He gets extremely hyper-active and playful when wet!
I have also noticed with my own hawkhead, that he is very “in-tune” to the day/night cycle and once the sun starts to set, he is ready to climb into his bed.
Cassius is extremely affectionate and “cuddly” but most accounts say that once mature, hawkheads can become very aggressive to anyone their than their chosen person/people. A hawkhead is a determined bird and if they do not like something, will be on a mission to let you know it. Care should also be taken with these birds to never make them feel that they are being “chased” as it can lead to mistrust and fearful/phobic behaviors.
Sound files:
Brazilian Hawkheaded parrot (wild)
Brazilian Hawkhead (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Other articles worth reading if you are interested in Hawk-headed Parrots include:
Lexicon of Parrots
Old World Aviaries: Hawk-headed Parrots
Hawk-headed Parrots, exotic pet birds - Beautiful & Affectionate Birds
Hawkheaded Parrots
More sound files: Red-fan Parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus) | on-line sounds from xeno-canto/america
The Hawkheads Yahoo email group: Hawkheads
Also known as Red-Fan parrot (commonly called hawkhead or HH for short)
Brazilian Hawkhead Parrot
Buff-Crowned Hawkhead Parrot
Hawk-headed parrots are unique and amazing Parrots. I have always admired these spectacular birds and was blessed to be able to obtain my own (Cassius) in September of 2007.
“Hawkheads” as they are commonly referred, are the only members of their genus – Deroptyus. The nominate species is the “Buff-Crowned Hawk-headed Parrot” (Deroptyus accipitrinus accipitrinus). The buff-crowned hawkhead originates north of Amazon from Amapa, Brazil, west across French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana and southern Venezuela to southeast Colombia, eastern Ecuador and northeast Peru (Lexicon of Parrots)
The sub-species, the “Brazilian Hawk-Headed Parrot” (Deroptyus accipitrinus fuscifrons), originates northern Brazil south of Amazon from northwest Maranhão west to upper Rio Madeira and its tributaries and south to northern Mato Grosso and northern Bolivia. (Lexicon of Parrots) Brazilian Hawkheads are very rare in aviculture. According to the rare species conservatory foundation, Brazilian Hawkheads number no more than a dozen in the United States. http://www.rarespecies.org/birdisland.pdf Lexicon of Parrots reports that their status in the wild still common in most parts; some population decline because of deforestation.
The buff-crowned hawkhead is a striking bird. They have a primarily green body, with their belly being maroon-colored with violet-blue tips. Their head is a grayish brown, streaked with light tan/grey feathers and a “buff” colored forehead . They have a crest (or fan) to match their belly, with elongated feathers that are maroon-colored tipped in violet blue. They can raise this fan to encircle their face whenever the mood strikes, whether it is to look fierce, for play or even affection if you give them a scritch in just the right spot. Behind their fan is a large patch of dark grey downy feathers, and it is here that some love to be scratched. They are small to medium sized birds, generally weighing around 230-270 grams and an overall length of approximately 35 cm. Brazilian hawkheads are similar, except that they have a darker head, and more red/ less blue on their bellies.
Hawkheads in the wild generally live in undisturbed forest, feeding in the canopy on fruits, and have been observed alone, in pairs and in very small family groups (5 or less). In the wild they feed on fruits (particularly palm fruits), berries, seeds, flowers, nuts and vegetable matter. In captivity, they should have access to plenty of fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts. There is some disagreement among hawkhead owners as to adding pellets to their diet, though I personally add small amounts of Harrison’s High Potency to Cassius’ diet. Hawkheads are very active birds and should be fed as such – they consume more food than most would expect (though I have read some accounts of exceptions to this rule!).
In the wild they have been observed to roost in tree hollows, and I have found trying to duplicate this to be appealing to my hawkhead. Cassius loves to “burrow” into things, especially at night. In his cage, he prefers to sleep on a corner shelf-perch, tucked in between a few of his toys.
The “typical” hawkhead is likened to a caique. They are active, energetic birds with a playful personality. From my own experience and talking with other hawkhead owners, Hawkheads are very good at keeping themselves entertained. They should have a wide variety of things to do and toys to play with. Because of their active personality, they should also be provided with a spacious cage, larger than some would expect for a bird of their size. Generally speaking a “macaw” cage is generally adequate, but care must be taken to get appropriate bar spacing so that they cannot get their head through the spaces. It also makes it easier for them to use their cage as hawkheads have relatiely small feet and its easier for them to grip cage bars that are closer together. 5/8” bar spacing is generally recommended but some birds do okay with up to (no wider than) 1” spacing.
Hawkheads are not generally known to be good talkers, though the ones that do have a cute “girly” sort of voice. Many seem to enjoy making sounds and whistles but have a limited vocabulary.
In reading accounts of other Hawkhead owners, most seem to prefer a bath to a misting. Cassius particularly does not like being misted but will zoom down to a running faucet to play in the water. He gets extremely hyper-active and playful when wet!
I have also noticed with my own hawkhead, that he is very “in-tune” to the day/night cycle and once the sun starts to set, he is ready to climb into his bed.
Cassius is extremely affectionate and “cuddly” but most accounts say that once mature, hawkheads can become very aggressive to anyone their than their chosen person/people. A hawkhead is a determined bird and if they do not like something, will be on a mission to let you know it. Care should also be taken with these birds to never make them feel that they are being “chased” as it can lead to mistrust and fearful/phobic behaviors.
Sound files:
Brazilian Hawkheaded parrot (wild)
Brazilian Hawkhead (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Buff-crowned (wild)
Other articles worth reading if you are interested in Hawk-headed Parrots include:
Lexicon of Parrots
Old World Aviaries: Hawk-headed Parrots
Hawk-headed Parrots, exotic pet birds - Beautiful & Affectionate Birds
Hawkheaded Parrots
More sound files: Red-fan Parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus) | on-line sounds from xeno-canto/america
The Hawkheads Yahoo email group: Hawkheads
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