A Brown head streaked with white gives this green parrot the mythological look of part-raptor. More unusual still, when agitated the hawk-headed is capable of erecting its nape feathers into a beautiful ruff of red feathers edged in electric blue. The breast and lower belly sport the same coloration, with the back, wings and tail an emerald green. Both types of hawk-headed parrots, the buff-crown (or northern, Deroptyus a. accipitrinus) and the rarer Brazilian (or southern, Deroptyus a. fuscifrons), which has a dusky-brown crown, are native to South America. Not available as a pet, the Brazilian hawk-headed parrot numbers less than two dozen worldwide, according to the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation. Countries of origin: The buff-crowned ranges from northern Brazil to French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The southern species lives in Brazil south of the Amazon River and into Bolivia. Size: 

Medium, at almost 14 inches long and about 250 grams, or half a pound. 

Personality: Playful and intelligent, enjoys hanging upside down and wrestling with toys. Voice ranges from warning hisses and growls to more pleasant calls to loud shrieks. Younger hawk-headeds can be affectionate but sexually mature birds can turn aggressive and unpredictable, biting and feather plucking. 

Talking ability: Poor to moderate. 

Average lifespan: 30 years. Average lifespan: 40 years.