Feathered Family Inc.

Hawk Headed Parrot

Deroptyus accipitrinus accipitrinus

Breath taking. Stunning. Gorgeous. These are the words you hear most often when someone first lays eyes upon a Hawk Headed parrot. These beautiful small parrots are something else. They are smaller sized birds, averaging only 14 inches in length, but they make a huge impression. Hawk Heads have the talent of flaring the feathers around their head into a "tribal fan". This stunning action can be caused by anger, nervousness, or even on occasion playful behavior will be behind it.

Hawk Heads are known to be fiercely territorial, both in captivity and in the wild. They are also known to be playful and loving to the people familiar to them. It has often been said that a Hawk Headed parrot does not need to be entertained, as it will find its own fun given a chance.

We believe that as Hawk Headed parrots become a more commonly kept species they will also become a highly sought species. They have a bad reputation in some groups, but it has been proven that in the right home with the right people they can be warm and wonderful family companions.

It is also important to mention that Hawk Headed parrots like to test you. They have a game like behavior where they will act like they are about to attack you, which they will finish up with a quick painless tap to your hand (or other body part). Flinching away is a loss, as the bird can then think its dominated you. However, one should know their bird well before attempting to win at this game, because an actual bite hurts like the dickens!

Thank you Holly and Chris for providing these beautiful photos of Hawk Headed parrots. The top and third photos are of Loco, who has since gone to the rainbow bridge. The second and bottom photos are of Dagwood, who is a lovely little man!