There is no visible means of sexing these birds. The Dusky Pionus or Dusky Parrot does breed well in captivity, and it has even been said that they have been hybridized other Pionus. Place a nest box high up in a dark area of the aviary. The female will lay 3 to 4 eggs which incubate for about 26 days. Pairs may take mealworms and greenstuffs when they have chicks in the nest. Corncob is a favorite weaning food. The young will fledge in about 2 1/2 months and be fully on their own in about 3 months.