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Green Rump Parrotlet (Forpus Passerinus Deliciosus)
Anyone looking for a large Parrot personality in a small Parrot body, need look no
further than the Green Rump Parrotlet. Green Rump Parrotlets are slightly more shy and gentler than their Pacific cousins. Green
Rumps sweet and gentle personalities makes them great birds for children.
Whoever coined the saying "good things come in small packages" probably had a Green
Rump Parrotlet as a pet. In spite of their small size (around 4 inches long), these little characters have all the personality
and character of their larger cousins, the Amazons. Pronounced "Parrot-let" meaning little Parrot. Parrotlets are the smallest
of the Amazon Parrots.
Life span:
With a healthy diet, much exercise and healthy environment, the Parrotlet has a life expectancy
of 20 to 30 years.
Description:
Parrotlets are small, with a stocky build and a broad tail, much like the lovebird species
of East Africa and fig parrot and pygmy parrot species of Australasia. At 4-5 inches (11-12cm) long, they are the second smallest
kind of parrot in the world.
Green Rump Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, meaning males can be distinguished from
females. Males have a brighter green at the cheeks, underside of the body and behind the neck. Their lower back, rump and
upper tail are also bright emerald green and the underside of the wings and the edge of wings are blue. Females have
a yellowish coloring on the forehead; some have more then others. Other than that, they are very similar in color to the male;
but with out the blue markings.
Energy level:
Very high - Rotate toys often and plan on playing with them on a daily basis.
Talking ability:
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. Having the ability to speak does not necessarily mean a bird will speak;
it depends on the specific bird's personality.
Noise:
Green Rump Parrotlets are amazing, intelligent, adaptable,
energetic and are capable of speaking just like Parrots. Because they can not scream, Green Rump Parrotlets can easily be
kept in a small apartment without fear of complaints. Overall, they are one of the quietest hook bills you can keep.
Unique characteristics:
- Green Rump Parrotlets are quite comical either playing
with toys or hanging by their beaks and toes.
- They also like to ride around in a pocket or hide in
their owner's hair.
- Many can be coaxed into 'playing dead' over
time, and with much practice lie on their backs on command.
- Some Green Rump Parrotlets can learn advanced tricks, but not as advanced as a Macaw or an
African Grey Parrot.
- These birds have no dander, (like a cockatiel does), making them a better choice for those
with allergies.
Problem behavior:
-They can get a little carried away when
playing.
-They have a need to chew and chew. They must be offered things to chew on or they will find things to
chew on.
Recommended equipment:
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Cage size:
I recommend a minimum of 18" x 18" x 24", with ½” bar spacing or less. Cage
size also depends on how much time the bird will be spending in the cage. A bird that just sleeps in the cage can be
housed in the minimum recommended cage size stated above: however, birds that spend much of the day in their cage would benefit
from a cage larger in size. This way a shallow water dish can be placed in the cage for taking baths. Always remember
to remove right after bathing!
-Play stand:
Provide your bird a place where it can get out for exercise, and have fun playing. There
are many different play stands on the market. So search around for one that best suits your life style and needs.
-Perches:
Provide your bird with a few different perches, ranging in diameter. Natural perches are best,
as they provide varying shapes which is best for your bird’s feet. Pedicure perch: This is a textured perch that helps
keep toenails trimmed and smooth, as well as the bird’s beak.
Diet:
I feed my Green Rump Parrotletts a mixture of a good fortified seed mix
& a Pellet diet, (Zupreem), as well as fruit, veggies, and sprouts. I also offer them a cuttle bone and
a mineral block.
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