Simon photographed by : Mike Saunders
Simon photographed by : Mike Saunders
The hawkheaded parrot is an extremely unique and unusual parrot. It is the only member
of the Genus Deroptyus. There are two subspecies, The Brazilian Deroptyus accipitrinus
fuscifrons, from the lower Amazon basin and the Guiana hawkhead, Deroptyus accipitrinus
from tropical northern South America. They differ in the coloration of the feathers on the
forehead and crown. The nominate race has white or light buff colored feathers, while the
subspecies has dusky brown feathers.
The hawkhead is very aerodynamic and a consumate flyer. The most striking feature about
this bird is its coloration and movable ruff. The bird is the only New World parrot that
has a raisable ruff. Its ruff, like a cockatoo's crest can be raised or lowered at will,
but the hawkhead's ruff is like an indian headress or a lion's mane and is very surprising
the first time it is seen. The feathers on the ruff and on the chest are bright red with
the edges scalloped in an electric blue. The beak is black and the eyes are orange. The
color contrast is striking and the birds are beautiful. They are not easy to breed and not
too common in the United States.
14 inches
Undeterminable by appearance
South America
Wildcaught birds are very highstrung, but domestic handfeds make excellent pets. They are gregarious, outgoing and playful, similar to a conure. They learn to speak easily, usually saying hello by the time that they are two months old. They are like an amazon, but without the bite and unpredictability of an amzon temperament. They are excellent pets and a joy to observe and live with.
They can be a loud bird with a raucous call. Their call is similar to that of a seagull.
They are expensive birds ranging from about $1800.00 to $2400.00. Females are rarer and usually cost more.
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Updated : 10/2022
(c) 1994-2022 Grant Yoshimori
