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What is a Pacific Parrotlet ?
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General Information
The Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis), also known as Celestial Parrotlet, is a species of small
parrot in the Psittacidae family, native to
Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats
are subtropical or tropical dry forests,
subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrub land, and heavily degraded
former forest.
Parrotlets are the second smallest of all parrots. Pacific Parrotlets are
between 4½ to 5½ inches in length. They come from South America in the
area of Peru and Ecuador. There are seven species of Parrotlets. Only three of
these species are kept as pets. Of these, the Pacific Parrotlet is the most
common. It is sometimes called the Celestial Parrotlet.
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 - 40. This species forms life-long & tight pair
bonds with their chosen mates.
The wild type coloring for this species is green, but several color mutations
have been established through selective breeding. Parrotlets are sexually
dimorphic, meaning males & females have different appearances. Males have
markings of cobalt blue on their head, wings and tail. Females generally lack
these blue markings. |
Aviculture
The
most commonly purchased and sought after Parrotlet in aviculture hands
down will is the Celestial - Also known as a Pacific Parrotlet. In
today’s market there are now several color mutations such as the
Albino, Blue, Dilute, American White, American Yellow, Turquoise,
Pastels, Dominant Pied.
The
Pacific Parrotlets are commonly known as a playful parrot who enjoys
plenty of attention and loves birds. Parrotlets are highly intelligent
and active. Parrotlets must have ample opportunities to play and
exercise. Environmental enrichment must be made a part of their lives as
to prevent boredom. Parrotlets keep themselves more than occupied when
left alone for several hours, so long as they are provided with an
array of chewable and destructible toys to play with.
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. Pacific Parrotlets are often mistaken for a “cheap”
$11.99 Pet-co Parakeet. |
Parrotlet Speech and Training
Pacific Parrotlets
can learn more than 15 words on average and can "whistle" songs well.
The Pacific Parrotlets have about the same speaking and whistling
capabilities of a cockatiel They are also very good learners for
commands such as "step up", "I love you", "step down", pretty bird" and
other small commands. Some Parrotlets can learn advanced tricks, but
not as advanced as an Congo African Grey Parrot.
Having the
ability to speak does not necessarily mean a bird will speak; it
depends on the specific bird's personality and the individual who spend
his/her time training the Parrotlet.We found through a
survey people who usually spend 10-15 min. x 3 times daily are usually
the Parrotlet owners who often notice the best results in terms of
health, characteristic, friendliness, and speaking ability.
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Classification of a Pacific Parrotlet
Kingdom: Animalia → Phylum: Chordata → Class: Aves → Order: Psittaciformes → Family:
Psittacidae → Genus: Forpus → Species: F. coelestis |
Demeanor
Pacific
Parrotlets are feisty little buggers who should never be purchased just
b/c you find them cool in coloring. Before purchasing any bird
including a Parrotlet, the new owner should dedicate time researching a
Parrotlets personality and characteristics, along with asking questions
to qualified breeds and/or avian vet.
Parrotlets should not be
overlooked in favor of more widely known types of birds; any bird
owner, including Parrotlet owners will tell you that all birds possess
all the intelligence and attitude of the largest of macaws. These
birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live
in apts. or condominiums. Many of my satisfied customers come from the
East Coast States.
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Pacific Parrotlet Diet
Whole cereals and whole grains: Spray Millet amaranth, barley, couscous, flax,
whole grain pastas, oat, quinoa (truly
a fruit but used as a cereal), whole-wheat, wild rice, whole rices.
Edible blossoms & flowers: carnations, chamomille, chives, dandelion, daylily, eucalyptus, fruit tree blossoms, herbs blossoms, hibiscus, honeysuckle, impatiens, lilac, nasturtiums, pansies, passion flower (Passiflora), roses, sunflowers, tulips, violets.
Note that the leaves of some of these plants are poisonous to Parrots.
Greens and/or weeds:
Mainly:
bok-choi, broccoli and/or cauliflower leaves, cabbage leaves, collard
greens, dandelion leaves, kelp, mustard leaves, seaweeds, spirulina, water cress.
Occasionally & sporadically; amaranth leaves, beet leaves, carambola (starfruit), chard, parsley,
spinach & turnip leaves. All of these feature high oxalic acid contents that
induces production of calcium oxalates (crystals/stones) by binding
calcium & other trace minerals present in foods and goods with which they're
ingested, possibly leading to calcium deficiencies and/or Hypocalcemia in minor cases,
liver or other internal organ damage or failure in more severe case
Fruit: (except avocados which are toxic): all apple varieties,
all berries varieties, all citrus varieties, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons,
nectarine, papaya, peach, all pear varieties, plum, star-fruit. Pits and seeds
from every citrus and drupe species must always be discarded as they are
intoxicating. However, achenes and tiny seeds from pseudo and true berries
(bananas, blueberries, elderberries, eggplants, persimmons, pomegranates,
raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes) are all acceptable.
Legumes:
almonds, beans, lentils, peas, nuts and tofu.
Grain and/or Legume sprouts: alfalfa beans, buckwheat, lentils, mung beans, pinto beans, red kidney
beans, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds. Caution with only lima bean and navy bean sprouts
which are toxic.
Vegetables: (except uncooked potatoes, uncooked onions and all mushrooms): broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, all cabbage
varieties, fresh beans, fresh romane lettuce, fresh peas, parsnip, all pepper
varieties, all squash varieties, sweet potatoes, tomato, turnip, yams, zucchini.
Pellets:
specifically formulated for small tropical Parrot including Parrotlets species. Adding these foods provides additional nutrients
and can prevent obesity and lipomas, as can substituting millet, which
is relatively low in fat, for higher-fat seed mixes. Adult Pacific Parrotlets
often do not always adapt readily to dietary additions, so care must be
taken to introduce healthy diets as young as possible (ideally weaned
onto fresh foods before introducing chicks onto seeds). Parrotlets like
any other Parrots learn mainly by mimicry and thus most adult
Parrotlets will be easily encouraged to try new foods by observing
another bird eating the food, or by placing the new food on a mirror.
Parrot species (including Parrotlets) are biologically vegetarian species.
Consequently, they should be fed vegetarian diets that are ideally supplemented
with vegetal Proteins. Produced by the combination of any type of whole
grain/cereal with any type of legume/pulse. Eggs (hard-boiled and/or scrambled)
are the only one appropriately healthy source of animal proteins. Mostly for
birds in either breeding, growing, molting and/or recovering conditions. High
levels of proteins (most particularly animal proteins) is unhealthy for
Parrotlets and any other Parrot species living under any alternate conditions
(i.e. non-breeding, pets). |
Pellets
Most Avian Vets & Aviculturists agree that pellets should
represent between 30 to 50% of any Parrot's total daily diet. The percent varies
depending on various aspects such as ; particular species (Afro-Asian
Ring-necked Parakeets, African Grey's, Amazons, Cockatoos, Conures, Grass
Parakeets, Lories, Lovebirds, Macaws, Pacific Parrotlets, Pionus...), lifestyles (pet and/or breeder), developement stages (growing chick, juvenile, adult...), in and/or outs of breeding seasons.
Tropical
species such as Amazons, Conures, King Parrots, Macaws, Pacific Parrotlets
should be offered diets where pellets represent a greater part and about 1/2
to 2/3 of their daily diets.
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How to sex Parrotlets?
Examples: of an "American Yellow Parrotlet"
male and female can be viewed on the slide show below. On the left are
examples of an "American Yellow Male" and on the right are examples of "American Yellow Females"
Sexing Parrotlets is rather easy!
♦ All Male Pacific
Parrotlets have a royal-cobalt blue color located on the rump
(back), above the eyes, and on their wing feathers. (view pictures
below-left).
♦ All Female Pacific Parrotlets are one solid color with NO royal-cobalt blue coloring (view pictures below-right).
To Recap:
→ An American Yellow with solid coloring (no royal-cobalt blue markings) - is 100% Female.
→ An
American Yellow with royal cobalt blue markings located on the rump, above
the eyes, and on the wing feathers would absolutely be a Male.
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Pacific Parrotlet Breeding Questions
Breeding Q & A: Parrotlet Eggs & Clutch Sizes CLICK HERE
General Q & A: Breeding Pacific Parrotlets CLICK HERE
Nestbox Q & A: Size, Cleaning, Placement etc. CLICK HERE
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Pacific Parrotlet Color Mutations
Parrotletbirds
is proud to offer a large selection of Pacific Parrotlets. A list of
current color mutations we breed can be found below.
Click on a Parrotlet color mutation icon to view more images,
slideshows & videos.
View Pacific Parrotlet Videos
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