| With a feisty,
playful nature, the brightly colored Pacific Parrotlet is sure to
become a cheerful addition to any bird lover's home! Parrotlets are the
smallest of the true parrots and are adorable.
Pacific Parrotlets are sweet, playful little animals. In the wild, they
flock in large groups at feeding sites, where they eat cactus fruits,
grass seeds and berries. In aviculture, they are extremely curious and
playful. They are known for being a bit more pushy or dominating than
many parrotlets, however. Simply teach your Pacific Parrotlet from the
start that you are the boss and you should have no problems with it. |
Blue Pacific Parrotlet
|
| Parrotlets should
be kept alone or they can develop jealousy or aggression problems
concerning everything from toys to owners - parrotlets in general do
not like sharing what they consider their possessions. In order to
prevent your Pacific Parrotlet from becoming bored or depressed, it
should have a mate of the opposite sex and similar age. Parrotlets
should be fed a pellet diet or a basic seed mix, supplemented with
plenty of fresh fruits, greenfood, vegetables and of course, they need
fresh water at all times. If your Parrotlet is eating seeds rather than
pellets, supplement their diet with vitamins. Be careful, as seeds are
high in fat and without lots of exercise, your Pacific Parrotlet can
become obese. Provide a cuttlebone for your parrotlet. They will also
love food like bread or pasta. Fresh broccoli tops and cooked eggs
(cook for 45 minutes), make great treats. Be careful when taking your
parrotlet outside; even Pacific Parrotlets with clipped wings may be
able to fly. These birds should flourish in a cage of at least 48 x 16
x 20 inches in dimension. Pacific Parrotlets need lots of toys, and
adore swings and rope or anything they can chew on. They are quite
strong, so be sure the toys will stand up to their hard beaks.
Parrotlets bond strongly with the person who spends the most time with
them, especially during the time when they are between six and 12 weeks
old. Insect softfood will be fine for hand rearing them. Be sure your
Pacific Parrotlet's environment remains above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and
that it does not become overheated in summer temperatures.
Pacific Parrotlets grow to around 5 inches in length, and their plumage
is predominantly green in color. Their irises and legs are brown, and
their bills are horn-colored. Male Pacific Parrotlets have a blue line
behind each eye and their forehead and faces are washed with bright
yellow coloring. The necks and upper backs are a bluish-gray color,
while their under-wing coverts and lower back extending to the rump are
a brilliant cobalt blue. All of the wing coverts are bright blue except
the undersides of the flight feathers, which are bluish-green. Males'
flanks and the sides of their breasts are gray. The upper tail coverts
are a bluish-green also, and the rest of the tail is green. Females
have emerald green feathers where males have blue, but they may have
rumps, which are turquoise and a slight blue coloration behind their
eyes. Where the undercarriage of the male is grayer, females have a
brighter green coloring. Female Pacific Parrotlets also have less
yellow coloration over their heads than do males.
Pacific Parrotlets are native to the dry tropical forests and savannahs
of Peru and Ecuador. Parrotlets have not been kept as pets until
recently; although there are seven subspecies, only three are popular
pets. They are much loved by almost everyone who encounters them.
Pacific Parrolets, sometimes called Celestial Parrolets, are the most
popular subspecies in aviculture. |
Specific Care Information:
Relative Care Ease: Relatively Easy
Pacific
Parrotlets will become sick if fed a vitamin supplement in addition to
a pellet diet. Many parrotlets will not eat from hooded or covered
dishes. Be sure to place perches in their cages in places where they
birds' tail feathers will not dip into their food or water. Pacific
Parrotlets love bathing in their water bowls, so be sure to keep the
water fresh. They do have a tendency to become obese in small cages. It
is best if you can keep a pair of parrotlets in a six foot by three
foot by six foot aviary. |
|
