What are Parrotlets?

 

PARROTLETS

 

 

 

 

 

What You Should Know

 

 

Endemic to South and Central America, this second smallest bird in the parrot family is a popular pet choice. Among the many varieties of parrotlets, the ones best suited for pets are members of the species the Pacific parrotlet (Forpus coelestis) and the green-rumped parrotlet (Forpus passerinus). Other species that can be found in pet stores are usually either the Mexican Parrotlet, the Spectacled Parrotlet, or the Yellow-faced Parrotlet. This flocking parrot is known for its foraging for seeds, fruits and vegetables in dry wooded areas, and you’ll want to feed your pet with a combination of small seeds such as oats, buckwheat, safflower and hemp in small amounts, sunflower seeds, green leaves and kibble. In captivity, you should feed them with species-appropriate kebbels and small amounts of cut fruit and vegetables. The highly intelligent parrotlet needs a dynamic environment and lots of exercise, and when tamed they can be very affectionate birds. Parrotlets also display a fearless disposition, so you’ll want to be careful not to tease them, as they can get very defensive of their cages. Because of this, be careful with parrotlets that haven’t gotten used to children, as they can carry a bite!

 

 

"Kyoshi (Female Right) and Kuzon (Male Left) are mates and love tons of interaction"

 

 

Physical: This playful bird is in fact the smallest species of parrots kept as pets. An adult parrotlet can reach the length between 4 and half up to just over 5 inches (approximately 28.5 cm), and a healthy bird will not weight much over an ounce (33 grams). They also have the shortest individual wingspan of 9 and a half inches. The most popular pet parrotlet species, the Pacific Parrotlet, are distinct because of their bright green feathers. The bulky bird is recognisable for its colorful feathers and a short, tapered tail. While there are many color mutations of this species of parrots, the males usually carry a dark blue stripe, while the female have darker green feathers with lighter feathers on their wings and backs. Females can also display a blue or green streak behind the eyes. Of course, blue, yellow, and white parrotlets can be found in the wild and in homes. Interestingly, Green-rumped parrotlets are the only species without blue feathers on their backs.

 

 

 

"In this image Korra is only giving me a gentle nibble"

 

 

 

Behavior: Parrotlets are among the more longer living parrot species, and if their needs are met, parrotlet lifespan can last between 20 to 40 years. This intelligent and active bird isn’t too loud for keeping in apartments, and while they’re not prodigious speakers, with practice they’re able to learn to speak a couple of words. It’s said parrotlets are actually full-sized parrots in small bodies. That is, their personalities match their larger cousins. Because of that they need regular exercise and proper training. A side note these little birds get territorial and though some of this info will be based on your specific parrotlets’ personality I am speaking from what I have seen with my own 3 parrolets. These birds also have a stronger bite force then something like a parakeet so expect the bites to not only be able to hurt humans but other birds as well.