Showing posts with label Parrotlets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parrotlets. Show all posts

Friday, November 9, 2018

PARROTLETS - Tiny Birds with a Big Attitude

Woodstock, looking studly
Photo  by BLW Photography 
Parrotlets, as the name suggests, are tiny parrots. It is, by the way, generally pronounced parrot-lets although some people insist that the "t" in the parrot part is silent and call them parro-lets. Although only 4 to 4 1/2 inches tall, they are true parrots with big parrot personalities and intellect. They are known for being a little feisty, but if handled regularly they are loving pets. They are very playful and like their bigger cousins can be taught to do tricks and to talk.


There are several species of parrotlet, but probably the most common for pets are the Pacific parrotlets. The males are predominately green with blue markings on their wings, rumps and heads. Females lack the blue markings. Although green is their natural color there are a number of color mutations available. They include yellow, blue and white. Parrotlets, with good care, can live 20-30 years in captivity.

If their wings are left unclipped they are very nimble flyers. They can hover and dart and perform some impressive aerial acrobatics that you don't see with larger parrots. Unless you have a large, safe, secure environment for them to fly in, however, it is usually safer for them and easier for you if you keep them clipped.

To be happy and healthy you will have to provide them with a cockatiel sized cage with a few toys, fresh water and food. A mixture of small seeds, a few sunflower seeds and small pellets make a good diet. Supplement that with some fruits and vegetables. If you have one parrotlet, it will become bonded to you and should be quite friendly. If you have two or more they tend to be closer to each other, naturally, and usually are a little less tame. Make sure you get a parrotlet that was hand fed as a baby. Hand fed babies are much more socialized to people and make much better pets. Like any pet bird, they require regular attention, but they are good at amusing themselves for long periods of time while you are away.



Parrotlets are relatively quiet parrots. They chirp and chatter a lot but they don't scream like larger species. That, along with their small size makes them a good choice for apartments or other small living spaces. They are fun to own, fairly easy to maintain and can be great little companions. 

    Author: Brett McGill - Article Source: GoArticles


Thursday, May 17, 2018

Parrotlet As Pet Bird - 5 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About PARROTLETS

2/365 - Little Ball of Sunshine
Little Ball of Sunshine - Photo   by       BLW Photography  (cc)
The Parrotlet is a big personality in a little Parrot body. They are quite small measuring between 5 and 6 inches long and weighing between 18 and 28 grams. Rapidly becoming one of the most popular species for pet bird owners, here are 5 answers to frequently asked questions about these little Parrots.

What Colors Are Available? 
These birds are available in a variety of colors. Many of the species names are color specific and are a wonderful way to give you some idea of the colors that are available-Green Rump, Pacific (as in blue), Spectacle, Blue Wing, and Yellow Face. Pacific, Green Rump, and Spectacles are readily available while the Blue Wing and Yellow Face are much harder to find here in the United States.


What Kind of Diet is Best? 
This small bird has a big appetite that helps fuel its constant antics and playful nature. Seeds are a must because not only do they nourish, but provide interest and exercise as it breaks them open. Supplement this with a high-quality pellet as well as fresh fruits, vegetable, millet spray, cuttlebone, and a constant supply of fresh water.  Avoid avocado, rhubarb, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and foods with high salt and sugar content.

How Much Attention Do They Need? 
Every bird needs its owner to attend to its physical and emotional/social needs. However, the Parrotlet is more content to play and amuse itself without the constant interaction that some of the larger parrots need. They are perfectly content to play in a spacious cage that is properly stocked with toys, treats, perches, and swings that will keep them entertained during the day if you work away from home. Once you are home they will expect a fair amount of attention from you, and scheduling 10 minutes or so of training daily helps keep your bird tame and well mannered. They don't really need the company of another bird and don't seem to bond to each other, so if you decide to get two be aware that you may need to house them separately because of territorial issues.



How Are they with Children and Other Pets? 
Even though they are small, they are fearless and can often be aggressive towards other pets that they may interpret as invading their space. It's best to keep your bird away from other pets and close the door when your bird is out of the cage to avoid confrontations. As for children, they can be very gentle; especially those that have been hand fed from an early age and are used to regular training and human interaction. Parrotlets have large beaks for their size and can sometimes be nippy. So your child needs to be very closely supervised by you when handling the bird, and an older child who understands how to handle the bird stands the best chance of success.

What is Their Life Span? 
With proper care, many Parrotlets can live between 15 and 20 years.  This requires quite a commitment, so make sure you're up for it.



Thursday, December 21, 2017

PARROTLETS at Play Or Sleep

A male Pacific Parrotlet in Peru.
A male Pacific Parrotlet in Peru. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The pocket parrot showing off on video. The second to smallest parrotlet in the world on display for you. If you want the enjoyment of a parrot without the mess or upkeep look no further. This website offers photos, videos and sometimes live video feed for your enjoyment. Offering blue, green and yellow parrotlets at play.

Parrotlets are quite but have mighty personalities. Plan on a 20 to 30-year lifespan for your new family member. These birds do not talk as well as the likes of the African Grey Congo parrot but they do talk. Before getting the itch to buy a new feathered friend do your research about the cage, food and social requirements. Get information on bird toxins that are not bad for humans but are for birds. 

As these birds are tiny they need plenty of space. Must keep toys fresh to keep them entertained and used to change without alarm. Food should be a mix of more the just birdseed or that is the only food they will eat. The huge personalities in the small package of a parrotlet are always unbelievable.

The parrotlet is sometimes compared to the yellow-naped front amazon parrot. If you are living in an apartment or attached home and a large parrot that screams is not for you, consider the parrotlet. Since they are not just called pocket parrot but also the apartment parrot. Enough about the generalized basics of the Pacific parrotlet take a peek at them live right now.




Thursday, August 10, 2017

YELLOW-FACED PARROTLET - Forpus xanthops

Yellow-faced Parrotlet - Forpus xanthops