Pacific Parrotlett (Genera Forpus)
Anyone looking for a large Parrot personality in a small Parrot body, need look no
further than the Parrotlet. Parrotlets are delightful little Parrots whose antics can provide hours of entertainment as well
as many years of devoted companionship.
Whoever coined the saying "good things come in small packages" probably had a 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.
One of the most common species kept as pets is the Pacific Parrotlet. The wild type coloring
for this species is green, but several color mutations have been discovered through selective breeding. For a full list and
description of each please CLICK HERE.
Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, meaning males can be distinguished from females. Males
have markings of cobalt blue on their head, wings and tail. Females generally lack these 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:
Parrotlets are amazing, intelligent, adaptable, energetic and
are capable of speaking just like Parrots. Because they can not scream, 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:
- 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 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:
-
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 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.
