General Information

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.

Pacific 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.

In the wild, Pacific Parrotlets travel in flocks which, depending on the species can range from a few to hundreds of Parrotlets. Most other species travel in flocks of about 5 to 40. This species forms life-long and tight pair bonds with their chosen mates.

In the wild the type of coloring for this species is green, but several parrotlet color mutations have been established through selective breeding. Pacific Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females have different appearances. Males have markings of cobalt blue on their head, wings and tail. Females generally lack these blue markings and are solid in color.

Aviculture

The most commonly purchased and sought after Parrotlet is the Celestial, Also known as a Pacific Parrotlet or "Pocket Parrot". In today’s market there are now several Celestial Pacific Parrotlet color mutations available including: Green, Blue, American Yellow, American White, Lacewings, Dominant Fallow Pieds, Dilute Blue, Turquoise, Pastels, Dominant Pieds, Fallow, Albino, & Lutino. 

Pacific Parrotlets are generally known as a playful parrot who enjoys plenty of attention. Parrotlets are highly intelligent, curious, 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. Pacific 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 kept as 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 PETCO Parakeet.

Parrotlet Speech & 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. Parrotlets are also very good learners for commands such as "Step-Up" "I love you" "Pretty Bird" & 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 Parrotlet will speak; it largely depends on the individual Parrotlet and the owner who will spend his/her time training the Parrotlet. Owners who spend 10-15 minutes x 3 times daily are usually the ones to notice the best results in terms of health, characteristic, friendliness, and speaking ability of his/her parrotlet.

Classification of a Pacific Parrotlet

Kingdom: Animalia →  Phylum: Chordata → Class: Aves → Order: Psittaciformes  → Family: Psittacidae  →  Genus: Forpus → Species: F. Coelestis

Demeanor & Temper

Celestial Pacific Parrotlets can at times be feisty little buggers. One should never purchase a Parrotlet just because you find them cool in coloring or because they are small. 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. Pacific Parrotlets are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for families who live in apts. or condos. Many of our satisfied customers come from the East Coast States & confirmed this claim. 

Pacific Parrotlet Diet

Pellets:

Most Avian Vets & Aviculturists agree that pellets should represent between 30%-50% of any parrots total daily diet. Percent varies depending on various aspects such as; particular species (African Greys, Conures, Cockatoos, Amazons, Lovebirds, Macaws, Pacific Parrotlets), development 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 ½ to ¾ of their daily diets.

Whole Cereals & Whole Grains:

Spray Millet, barley, couscous, flax, whole grain pastas, oat, quinoa, 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): apples, berries, citrus, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons, nectarine, papaya, peach, pears, plum. 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, 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, kidney beans, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds. Caution with only lima bean and navy bean sprouts which are toxic.

Vegetables:

broccoli,cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, tomato, cabbage, romaine lettuce, patatoes, turnip, peppers, zucchini, peas.

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 Pacific 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 (scrambled or hard boiled) 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 is unhealthy for Parrotlets and any other Parrot species living under any alternate conditions (i.e. non-breeding, pets). Source: Wikipedia

Sexing Pacific Parrotlets

We have created a "Parrotletbirds Male vs. Female" slide show. On the right "Blue Female" and on the left "Blue Male"

• All "Male" Pacific Parrotlets have a royal (dark) blue color located on the rump (back), above the eyes, and on wing-flight feathers.

• All "Female" Pacific Parrotlets are solid color with NO royal-cobalt blue coloring.

Pacific Parrotlet Sexing:

A Parrotlet solid in color (NO royal-blue markings) is a FEMALE. 

A Parrotlet with royal (dark) blue colorin on the rump (back), above the eyes and on wing-flight feathers is a MALE.