Grass Parakeets / Parrots
Class: Aves ... Order: Psittaciformes ... Family: Psittacidae ... Subfamily: Psittacinae ... CITES I: Protected Species or CITES II: Endangered Species
Grass parakeets are sometimes referred to as "grass parrots".
I have bred and kept as aviary birds several species (Bourke's, Elegants, Scarlett-chested/Splendid Parakeets and Turquoisines) and they have grown to be my very favorite aviary birds.
They are beautiful, quiet, fascinating to watch. They are very family-oriented and curious, and can become quite trusting with the human care takers. I found them to be absolutely fantastic aviary birds. Although some people treasure these little parakeets as pets as well.
Housing:
They do like (and deserve) a planted aviary. You have got to make sure they have plenty of room to fly, are protected from rats, mice, snakes, and other critter which might get to them or their eggs. You also have to provide them with adequate shelter and protection from wind, rain and cold weather. They are not as hardy as most of the other parrot species and do require a committed owner.
Soil floor may not be a good choice. Predators can dig themselves through that; andgrasskeets are known to spend a good part of the day on the floor of the aviary. Grasskeets are often aflicted with parasites for this reason alone.
I prefer concrete myself with potted plants, as it is easier to keep concrete floors clean. But other breeders do it differently. As long as the birds are protected, it doesn't matter how you do it. If you like soil floor, you could throw it over the concrete and then change it once a year. Keeping the aviary clean is important
Valuable Information: General Information on Care & Disposition ... Procuring Your Bird ... Aviary Birds / Breeding ... Nutrition ... Housing Your Birds ... Pet Bird / Breeder & Sanitation Products
Related Websites: Neophemas - Care & Management ... Visual Wings: Definition of a Grass Parakeet & Care / Purchasing Guidance
Sub-species:Barrabands
Blue-winged Grass Parakeet (Chrysostoma): Genus: Scientific: Neophema ... English: Elegant Parrots ... Dutch: Elegante Parkieten ... German: Grassittiche ... French: Perruche neophema
Species: Scientific: Neophema chrysostoma ... English: Blue-winged Parrot, Blue-winged Grass Parakeet ... Dutch: Blauwvleugelparkiet ... German: Feinsittich, Blauflügeliger Schönsittich ... French: Perruche aux ailes bleus
CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: South-eastern Australia, Tasmania, Island in Bass Strait
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Button-grass Parrots: Genus: Scientific: Pezoporus ... English: Ground Parrots ... Dutch: Grondpapegaaien ... German: Erdsittiche ... French: Pezoport terrestre
Species: Scientific: Pezoporus wallicus wallicus ... English: Ground Parrot, Swamp Parrot, Button-grass Parrot ... Dutch: Grondpapegaai, Grondparkiet ... German: Erdsittich ... French: Pezoport terrestre
CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: South-eastern Australia, Tasmania. Some Islands on Brass Strait
Related Websites: Little information is available online for this specific bird species. I will update as soon as my research picks something up.
Bourke's Parrots (Neopsephotus Bourkii)
Elegant Parrots, Elegant Grass Parakeet (Elegans): Genus: Scientific: Neophema ... English: Elegant Parrots ... Dutch: Elegante Parkieten ... German: Grassittiche ... French: Perruche neophema
Species: Scientific: Neophema elegans ... English: Elegant Parrot, Elegant Grass Parakeet ... Dutch: Prachtparkiet, Elegantparkiet ... German: Schmucksittich, Elegantsittich ... French: Perruche élégante
CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: South-western and South-eastern Australia, Kangaroo Island
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots ... Visual Wings
Ground Parrots: Please go to Button-grass Parrots OR Ground Parrots.
Orange-bellied Parrots (Chrysogaster)
Rock Parrots (Petrophila): Genus: Scientific: Neophema ... English: Elegant Parrots ... Dutch: Elegante Parkieten ... German: Grassittiche ... French: Perruche neophema
Splendid or Scarlett-chested Parrots (Splendida)
Turquoise or Turquoisine Parrots (Pulchella)
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