Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

The scaly-headed parrot (Pionus maximiliani) is a species of bird in the family Psittacidae, the true parrots. It is also called scaly-headed pionus, Maximilian pionus, Maximilian parrot, Maximilian's pionus, or Maximilian's parrot.

It is found in eastern Brazil, central and eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It is found in a wide range of wooded habitats, from humid subtropical forest to arid Caatinga. It is fairly common throughout a large part of its range. It is typically seen in pairs or small flocks. The scaling to the head for which it is named is typically far less distinct than the bright red undertail coverts (a feature found in all members of the genus Pionus).

Its name is a reference to Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, a nobleman and naturalist who explored the hinterlands of southeastern Brazil in the early 19th century.

In Brazil, they are called cocotas or maritacas (from mbaé'taka, tupi for "noisy bird")

Feral scaly-headed parrots have been observed breeding since 2017 in the parks of Malaga, Spain. In one spanish case a female Scaly-headed parrot was observed successfully raising hybrid offspring with a male Orange-winged amazon parrot.