It is found in lowlands and foothills locally up to 1600 m altitude in forest canopy and edges, and adjacent semi-open woodland and second growth.

The 3 to 6 white eggs are laid in an unlined nest, usually a natural cavity in a tree or a hollow palm stub.

The female white-crowned parrot is similar to the male, but the blue plumage fades into scaling on the lower breast and the shoulder patch is duller.

Young birds have little blue on the head and neck or red on the undertail, and the crown feathers are green edged with white.

The white-crowned parrot feeds in social flocks of 10–50 birds, which may wander outside the breeding range once nesting has finished.

This scaly effect is also apparent in the feathers on cheeks and hindneck that are basally green with light bluish-green and purplish-blue at the subterminal band.

[3] Its body is mainly green with visible red axillaries during flight, rapid wingbeats, and a high-pitched voice.

Their harsh voice will screech like kreeek-kreeek or kree-ah-kee-ah during flight, but can become unnoticeable and silent in the tree canopy.

The white-crowned parrot inhabits the Caribbean slope in Central America from southeast Mexico to western Panama.

[2] Their habitat is a humid tropical zone of forest and woodland with local growth of pine-oak trees and savanna.

They are more commonly found in the lowlands and foothills of the Caribbean slope, but have also been reported from forest edge and cultivated areas with pastures, scattered trees, and wooded streams.

[7] An adequate amount of light and dark period will facilitate sleep and maintain their physical and mental health.

[12] By raising the height of the enclosure and making eye contact at side-long glances, it can increase the sense of security for a timid bird.

[13] Consistent positive reinforcement throughout the parrot's life will facilitate learning and develop the skills needed to live comfortably with humans.

[16] Appropriate daily exercises can help expend energy and reduce the occurrence of undesirable behavior such as screaming, pacing, and hyperactivity.

[16] The activity of chewing is another source of occupational enrichment that should be encouraged as it helps stimulate the growth of masticatory muscles, fine and gross motor skills, and tactile exploration.

Perches that provide traction with a desirable degree of roughness for feet to keep claws from overgrowing, and allow beak cleaning and shaping, are ideal for juvenile birds.

[17] Sensory enrichment involves aspects of visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory or taste which helps in the development of brain and prevent neophobia.

For instance, the owner can avoid placing the cage near furniture or walls of color to which the bird may dislike or provoke phobic behavior.

[9] Other forms of visual enrichment include mirror, television, videotapes, or digital recordings can be provided to birds that are home alone to reduce boredom.

Pionus parrots are susceptible to neoplastic diseases including hemangiosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, nephroblastoma, proventricular adenocarcinoma, lipoma, and xanthomas.

[20] Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor that commonly occurs at sites of beak, wings, feet, legs, and cloaca.

[21] Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor that commonly occurs at sites of skin, and upper gastrointestinal tract.

The site affects the survivability of the bird: infection in the beak, oral cavity, or esophagus often leads to death due to uncontrolled growth of tumor.