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Parrotlets

Listing of Species ... Parrotlet Diet

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I found Parrotlets to be 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. Some learn to talk. They can get quite nippy. Handling in addition to a nice personality is going to determine its pet quality.

General

Parrotlets are distinguished from parakeets in that despite their small size, they have a thick build and a broad tail, much like the lovebird species of East Africa and fig parrot and pygmy parrot species of Australasia. At 4½–5 inches long, they are the second smallest kind of parrot in the world.

These miniature parrots in the wild travel in flocks which, depending on the species can range from as low as four to over 100 birds. Most either species travel in flocks of about 5–12 or of about 10–40.

Speech / Learning

They can learn more than 10–15 words and can "whistle" songs well. They have about the same speaking and whistling capabilities of a cockatiel. They are also 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.

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Parrotlets are generally easy to take care of. 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.

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 destructable 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.

The photos and below information - courtesy of Mandy & Paul - Breeder of Parrotlets & Other Exotic Birds - Singing Wings Aviary - www.singing-wings-aviary.com

Genera

Forpus

Forpus, the most well known genus of parrotlet, includes all species of parrotlet commonly kept as pets, including the Pacific Parrotlet, Mexican Parrotlet, and the Spectacled Parrotlet.

Touit

The Touit Parrotlets are a genus of parrotlets found in The Venezuela-Guyana area, Northern Andes, and Bahia. Only three of the seven species have ever been brought into aviculture, with all three failing to keep them alive, or breed them.

Nannopsittaca

There are only two species in the Genus Nannopsittaca, of which only one—Nannopsittaca panychlora, the Tepui Parrot—has been successfully kept in captivity. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:

• Procuring your Parrot



• Breeders:
  
  
  • NC, Kings Mountain: Yvonne Ely - http://www.mybirdsnests.com - e-mail: ncvon53@bellsouth.net'
    • Breeder of: Parrotlets (Blue & Yellow, American Dilute Blue - White; Green splits); Catalina Macaw, Quaker Parrots (Blue and Green); Cockatiels ( Whiteface Lutino,  Whiteface Cinnamon Lutino, Cinnamon Pearl,  Whiteface Pearl); Green Cheek Conures - No Shipping
  
  
  • Ohio, Columbia Station: Dr. Geoff Gammon - Certified Avian Specialist; Forest Park Aviaries, 23879 Royalton Road, Columbia Station, Ohio 44028, Tel: 440-236-6355; websites: http://www.forestparkaviaries.com/ , http://www.birdbreedersinternational.com/index.html, http://www.tropicalbirds.org/, http://www.forestparkaffiliates.com/index.html.
    • Breeder of: Pacific Parrotlets (green, blue, yellow, split mutations); Quaker Parrots (green, blue mutation); Senegal Parrots; and various species of Conures (Suns, Green-cheeks and their several mutations, Brown-throats, Peach-fronts, Cherry-heads, etc.) - Will Ship
      
      
  • Click here for a Breeders Index
  
  
  
  
  • Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.

• Housing Your Bird

• Training Your Bird

• Bird Nutrition

• Parrot Products

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Sub-species

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