The Hawk Headed Parrot

Hawk-Headed Parrots are unique and loyal friends

Hawk Headed Parrot

Hawk-Headed Parrot

The Hawk Headed Parrot is a unique pet bird much like the Caique.

Hawk-heads are unique looking because they are able to raise the feathers on their head and the nape of their neck to look bigger and more intimidating (much like a hawk).

Hawk-heads are great pets that are loyal, curious, affectionate, entertaining, playful, and comical. However, they can also be shy, moody, and even nippy, so they do need a more experienced bird owner. They can make good family pets, but usually only if they are well socialized and hand-fed.

Hawk-heads tend to go through a stage where they try to intimidate you. They may hang upside down and look like they are going to strike, but tap you with their beak instead.If you let your Hawk-head do this, then it may lead to biting. They need clear and consistent boundaries.

Fast Facts

Name Hawk-Headed Parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus)
Origin Amazon Basin
Size 12-15 in., 250-350 grams
Owner They need a more experienced bird owner.
Average Cost $1,200-1,800
Lifespan 40 years
Noise Moderate–They can be loud with a call much like a seagull. They are better suited for living in a house.
Qualities Loyal, curious, affectionate, entertaining, playful, comical, can be shy, moody and nippy, clownish, play hard, some like to roll around on their backs while they play, try to intimidate you, need clear boundaries, outgoing, active, can be a good family bird if well socialized.
Abilities Good–They can be good talkers with a good vocabulary.
Interaction/Time Requirements They should be handled daily and well socialized with other people to keep from becoming nippy.
Diet They need a diet for large birds.
Supplies Needed They need supplies for large birds.
See How Hawk-Headed Parrots Compare to Other Types of Pet Birds!

Hawk-Head Videos

“Monty is a Hawk-Headed Parrot”


This video features Monty, a Hawk-Headed parrot, playing around on his cage. This video is a great example of how active, comical, and affectionate Hawk-Heads can be. They really are great companions.

“Loki the hawkhead talks”


Hawk-Heads can also be good talkers, though many people say that most aren’t. This video is of Loki, a Hawk-Headed Parrot, talking the shower. It also has subtitles so you can learn to speak Hawk-Head!

“Marybeth’s Hawk Head parrot”


This is a sweet video of a woman with her Hawk-Headed parrot.

Hawk-Head Training

Headed parrots can be very aggressive at times, so it is important to train them correctly right from the beginning. They need to be taught clear boundaries so they will learn not to bite. Hawk-Heads can be fantastic companions. They are caring, loving, and they can become very attached. However, if not properly trained, they can become biters very quickly.

For this reason, we highly recommend that you find an effective training program for your Hawk-Head. Whether your parrot is new to your home or you’ve had him for years, a training program will always come in handy. We personally recommend the Bird Tricks Parrot Training Course by Dave and Jamieleigh Womach. You can see many of their videos for free to get an idea of how much they know about parrots and how they can help you train yours.

Below is one of Dave’s videos about stopping your parrot’s biting. This video is a great example of how effective the training courses can be and how they are filled with a wealth of useful information for any bird owner.

This video is only the first step in getting your Hawk-Head hand tamed. We highly recommend checking out the BirdTricks Training Course for taming your parrot even further.

For more information about Dave and Jamieleigh’s courses, you can visit the Bird Tricks website HERE.

Hawk-Head Education

To learn more about your pet Hawk-Head, we recommend these books:

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Hawk-Head Gifts

Have a friend of family member who loves Hawk-Heads? Gift them something that will truly spark joy!

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Related Articles:

Have A Great Story About Your Hawk Head?

Share your experience with others! There’s no better way to learn about a pet bird than from an owner.

Some helpful information for potential owners can be: What is the sex of your bird? Is he/she friendly? Loving? Cuddly? Talented? Messy? Loud? You get the idea!

Your comment may just help someone decide whether or not this pet bird is for them.

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