The Hawk- Headed Parrot
By Vanessa Girton

Possibly the most visually striking of all of the South American psittacines, the hawk-headed parrot, Deroptyus accipitrinus, is becoming more common in aviculture. Also called the red-fan parrot, these beautiful birds can make enjoyable companions for the experienced owner.

The name hawk-headed most likely refers to the brown, lightly streaked head that resembles a bird of prey. This is where the similarity ends. The back, wings and tail of these birds are a stunning shade of green. The nape of the hawk-headed parrot is covered with elongated red feathers tipped with blue. These nape feathers can be raised at will - when excited or in defense - to form a fan behind the head. Anyone who has seen this display knows how startling it is. The chest feathers are also red tipped with blue. Adults have bright yellow eyes and a gray bill, where as juveniles have brown eyes and a light bill. There are two subspecies of hawk-headed parrot differentiated by very slight plumage differences. The subspecies Deroptyus accipitrinus accipitrinus has a light buff-colored patch on the forehead and is the most common in captivity. D. a. fuscifrons subspecies lacks the buff-colored patch of feathers on the forehead. Approximately the same size as a small Amazon, the hawk-head is about 12 to 15 inches in length.

Hawk-headed parrots live in scattered areas of northern South America east of the Andes Mountains in parts of Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. Like many other psittacines, their numbers are declining in the wild because of deforestation and collection for the pet trade. The parrots can be found in lowland rainforest in pairs or occasionally groups of three to eight individuals feeding in the canopy. The diet of the hawk-headed parrot in the wild consists of leaves, buds, fruits and seeds from a variety of plants and trees.

Diet in captivity is similar to most of the other commonly kept parrots. Variety in the captive diet is important considering the assortment of items they eat in the wild. Hawk-heads eat a significant proportion of vegetable matter in the wild, and may relish more fruits and vegetables than some of the other psittacines. Fruits and vegetables should make up 40 percent of the total diet. As with all parrots, avoid feeding the toxic avocado. A pelleted diet should comprise about another 40 percent. The remaining 20 percent can be seeds, nuts, beans, pasta, or other healthy human foods. They usually enjoy most of the commercial bird treats.

Hawk-headed parrots are generally very active. They love to climb around and are acrobats, and their housing needs in captivity should accommodate this. Often the best place to house them is in an aviary. Whether indoor or outdoor, an aviary provides plenty of space for a pair of these birds. There have been instances of aggression toward other birds and even their own mates - especially during breeding - so hawk-heads should probably not be kept in a small mixed species aviary. They can be kept outside all year round in warmer climates after they are acclimated. Keep a large heated nest box available in colder months. A planted aviary is great, but these birds will chew on everything and can easily destroy a plant. An aviary is also the best set-up for breeding. Hawk-heads living in an appropriate amount of space with the proper diet can be prolific breeders. In the wild they use tree cavities often made by other birds such as woodpeckers. In captivity they will utilize nest boxes.

If kept in a household situation, they need very large cages. A macaw or cockatoo size cage with no greater than one-inch bar spacing is appropriate. The cage should not be smaller than 36 inches long by 24 inches wide by 50 inches high. A cage that is too small can contribute to behavioral problems such as aggression. Hawk-heads can be extremely destructive for their size, so a good quality wrought-iron or steel cage is probably the best choice. Provide plenty of perches for climbing. Of course, even in the largest of cages, hawk-heads need plenty of time out of the cage with their owners.

Toys are also very important for the well-being of hawk-headed parrots. Bored birds can develop devastating behavioral problems that can cause owners to have to get rid of them. In an aviary situation, some of the most favored toys are simply nontoxic plant materials that can be shredded, chewed and ultimately demolished. Any large wooden toy is great for hawk-heads kept in a cage. They love paper products such as paper towel rolls or small cardboard boxes that they can destroy. Some will also play with acrylic toys. Whole unpeeled fruits or vegetables can be not only a treat, but also a toy for the inquisitive hawk-headed parrot. A large playgym is also a great accessory for these birds. As with all other parrots, constant supervision when out of the cage or playing with a new toy is necessary.

The disposition of the hawk-headed parrot is quite varied. Individuals can have very different temperaments, and an individual's mood can change in an instant. Hawk-headed parrots in a household situation can be very difficult to manage - especially for novice bird owners. These intelligent birds can be unpredictable and are best kept by experienced parrot owners. They can become more unpredictable as they mature and also during breeding season. Of course, every bird will be different, and there are many birds with very sweet, even temperaments. Many are quite affectionate toward their owners. Hawk-heads with the best companion potential are usually hand-raised babies that are socialized very early. Parent-raised offspring that are pulled later are sometimes more unpredictable. A good owner needs to be very patient and able to handle very sudden changes in the bird's behavior. A hawk-head can be very calm one second, then the fan of feathers goes up and they can lash out. As with any medium parrot, the bite can be very painful. An owner that shows fear can become the bird's favorite target. In captivity, the hawk-headed parrot has a life span comparable to most other medium size parrots. Many will live up to 40 years. As with any other parrot, an owner is making a lifetime commitment to the bird and must be able to handle any of the bird's traits - positive or negative.

Hawk-headed parrots can be extremely loud. They have several piercing calls that can be very irritating. Many love to use these calls often. On the other hand, they also possess quite an array of quieter and more pleasing sounds. For the most part, hawk-heads have a low to moderate talking ability, but some are capable of learning a few words or phrases.

A potential owner can find these birds at a breeder. The Internet can be a very useful tool in finding and contacting a breeder. Hawk-headed parrots can be occasionally found in pet stores, but buying a young weaned bird from a breeder ensures that the parrot was not taken from the wild. Try to buy a bird whose parents were domestically bred to help reduce importation from the wild. With a growing number of breeders, domestically bred hawk-headed parrots are not very difficult to find. Currently, a hand-raised baby will generally cost between $1500 and $2000.
With a dazzling mix of green, red and blue, hawk-headed parrots can be an extremely entertaining and affectionate companion for an experienced parrot owner. They can be difficult to handle for an inexperienced owner, but a worthwhile addition to the family. The hawk-heads' limitless energy, amazing acrobatics, and affection can win the hearts of appropriate owners. B

VANESSA GIRTON, a professional aviculturist also involved in ornithological field work, lives in Asheboro, North Carolina.