Parrotlets
Listing of Species ... Parrotlet Diet
Parrotlet Cages .. Toys ... Books
Breeders
Parrotlets are miniature parrots that are endemic to South and Central America. In their natural habitat, these social beings usually travel in flocks which, depending on the species, can range from as low as 4 to over 100 birds.
Their expected lifespan is 20+ years.
Description
At 4½–5 inches long, parrotlets are the second smallest kind of parrot in the world - the smallest being the pygmy parrot species of Australasia (averaging around 3 inches in length). Parrotlets rarely grow bigger than 5 inches or 13 cm. The body is stocky and the tail is short and broad.
They are quite similar in personality to lovebirds. Cuddly and animated, and with a need for daily interaction with their human "mates" for them to stay tame and loving. They can get quite nippy. Handling in addition to a nice personality is going to determine its pet quality.
Since the parrotlet is an intelligent and curious bird, it is important to provide it with plenty of toys and things to investigate in the cage, otherwise it may grow bored and listless. They need suitable things to chew on and tear apart, otherwise they may destroy dishes and similar in the cage. Placing new branches in the cage now and then is a good idea since it will make the environment more natural, give the birds something new to climb on and explore, and provide them with a safe outlet for their chewing urges.
Parrotlets are very social beings and form strong pair bonds. Unfortunately, in captivity, they are often kept as pairs and they may get lonely. If you keep a single parrotlet, it is very important to make sure that enough time is spent with your pet to ensure that its emotional needs are met. Providing a fun and entertaining cage environment (or bird room) helps in keeping a pet busy when you aren't around. Foraging is one way to keep your pet busy and healthy.
Speech / Learning
They have about the same speaking and whistling capabilities of a cockatiel. Some learn to talk, while others never will.
Generally speaking, males are more inclined to speak than females. They may to learn up to 10-15 words, and some of them also learn to whistle tunes and sounds they are exposed to.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Some parrotlets can learn fairly difficult tricks, but they are usually not as skilled as their larger cousins - the amazons, cockatoos or macaws. (However, they present far less behavioral challenges and maintenance requirements than them as well.) Parrotlets are generally easy to take care of.
They are very good learners for commands such as "step up", "kiss-kiss", "step down", and other small commands. Some parrotlets can learn advanced tricks, but not advanced as a macaw or an african grey.
Some may get nippy as the discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us."
- Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
Aviculture
The most commonly kept parrotlet in aviculture is by far the Pacific Parrotlet, which now has several color mutations. The Mexican, Spectacled, and Yellow-Faced are also fairly common pets. Their popularity as pets has grown due to their small size and large personalities. Parrotlets are commonly known as playful birds that enjoy the chewing as much as their larger Amazon Parrot counterparts. However, their largest quirk lies in the fact that they don't grow as bored as other species of parrots. Parrotlets keep themselves more than occupied when left alone for several hours, so long as they are provided with an array of chewable and destructible toys to play with. However, when their keepers get home, they often greet them with lovely chirps and whistles to let them know they want attention.
Pacific parrotlets tend to be dedicated parents and are often used as foster parents for less reliable parrotlet species.
The photos and below information - courtesy of Mandy & Paul - Breeder of Parrotlets & Other Exotic Birds - Singing Wings Aviary - www.singing-wings-aviary.com
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Procuring your Parrot
- Breeders:
- Breeder Listing by State
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
