Parrotlet

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Family: Psittacidae

Origin: Mexico (Forpus cyanopygius) and throughout South America

Size: Depending on species, 3" to 6.5"

Cage Size: Minimum of 18" H x 20" L x 16" W - or the largest you can afford. Bar spacing should be no more than 1/2”.

Disposition: Of these, the Pacific or Celestial, Green Rumped, and the Spectacled are the most common Parrotlets in the pet industry. The Pacific is the largest and has the most outgoing personality, including being very stubborn and strong-willed. For example, many Parrotlets will resist being taken from their cage. This behavior may be even stronger in the Pacific; however, with consistent kind handling, this behavior can also be overcome.

Parrotlets are some of the more quiet members of the parrot family. This characteristic, in addition to their size, and the fact that they do best when kept singly makes them a good choice for apartment dwellers. In general, these are colorful, loving, outgoing birds that can exhibit entertaining and comical behaviors.

Vocalization: Call varies somewhat with species, but generally a shrill, high-pitched twitter or screech. Otherwise a quiet voice with some that talk or mimic quite well for a bird this size. Spectacled Parrotlets have been reported as the best talkers.

Playfulness: Outgoing, comical, curious, and intelligent. Although one of the better species at being able to entertain itself, still demands daily interaction with the family. Will bond with the person it spends the most time with - not necessarily the person feeding it.

Life Span: 20-30 years

Age at Maturity: Approx. 12 months

Nesting Sites in the Wild: Tree hollows and hollow limbs.

Breeding Season: Varies among species and location; however, generally between April-November.

Parrotlet Quick Facts

Here are the different Species of Parrotlets

These are links to read on that species or sub species

Living with a Parrotlet

By Kristy Garcia

Living with a Parrotlet is much like living with an Amazon only on a much smaller scale. These little darlings will steel your heart in a flash. They will also fool you with their innocent adorable faces—so harmless looking...then WHAM! Before you know it they turn into the Tasmanian Devil! Just like their much larger cousins , the Amazon :-) They can be very territorial of their cage or play gyms. (yes mine sits on and plays on a play gym just like my Amazon for many hours a day) They will put on this act and try to nip you when you reach into their cage or touch their toys etc...

If a person they do not know approaches their perceived territory, they fluff the feathers on their back and neck, swing their heads side to side all the while chattering in some language only Dino from the Flintstones could understand. I have a friend who has affectionately nicknamed my little Parrotlet “Fido” for her big bird attitude while defending her play gym or cage. My husband refers to her as “snapper head”. Now don’t get me wrong...they are not always a Taz Devil. Mine can be the sweetest thing in the world. And for the most part she is. Often during TV time she is content with snuggling under my chin as I rub her head. She is completely socialized and will go to anyone at all for head scratches and lovin’ when she is not on her home turf. Her home turf is what she defends with all her little bitty might. It is very important to handle your Parrotlet every day so they remain socialized and friendly.

Feeding a Parrotlet is not much different than feeding a larger parrot. Once again, on a much smaller scale. They like very small pieces of fresh fruits, greens and veggies and require these in their daily diet. As a matter of fact I actually chop up a variety of greens, veggies and fruit in a chopper that was meant to make home made salsa. And that is about the size they like it. Zoe also gets some people food since she is quite the begger for food. If we are having pasta, rice, steamed veggies or foods such as this….she begs and begs until she gets a little served warm in her crock on her play gym.

Parrotlets also require a good quality cockatiel seed mix and tiny pellets every day. Roudybush makes a pellet called “crumble”. That is just what it is, small pieces that look like they are the crumbs from their smallest size pellets. I usually mix these crumble pellets right in with her seed mix. The seed mix I use is called “Georges Tiel Cage Mix from Avian Naturals.. This mix is all natural, no pesticides, preservatives, chemicals of any kind or fruit that has been dried using sulfur in the process. I find my Parrotlet devours the seeds so quickly, the crumble just gets eaten right with it :-) It is important to change their food everyday for freshness.

Their has been some controversy however in feeding some of the color mutations of Pacific Parrotlets pellets. For several years now, there have been numerous reports of mutation Parrotlets, particularly the "red eyed" birds, of developing high uric acid levels and/or kidney problems including calcification of the kidneys. This problem has also been reported in some of the color mutation cockatiels and budgies as well. Veterinarians have seen these problems in their own practices and it has been reported by veterinarians doing research and pathology. You can read more about this topic here.

Parrotlets are like little clowns when they play. They do everything quick—like getting from one side of the cage to the other. On the play gym, Zoe is a monkey! She plays with her toys, mock kills them, hangs by one toe and scares me to death that she will fall and break her neck! She plays every bit as hard as a big bird and requires new toys often just as they do. Her favorite toy is the tiniest piñata they make. Not much bigger than my thumb. She can go through about one of these every week! Good thing they are under 3 bucks a piece :-)

If you have other larger birds or animals in the house and are thinking of adding a Parrotlet, a word of warning. Parrotlets do NOT know the meaning of the word share. It is simply not in their vocabulary. Another Parrotlet flaw is they have no idea that they are practically microscopic. They believe they are as big as a Macaw! Never allow your Parrotlet near larger birds or other animals. The risks are just too great. Parrotlets are fearless and will often pick a fight with someone or something who is more than 10 times their size and not think twice about it. Other birds or animals may not find their antics quite as cute as you do. My Parrotlet has this awful habit of dive bombing my cat. Thank goodness the cat is a “scardy cat” and runs for her dear life when this happens :-)

There is also the little thing called jealousy that my Parrotlet displays. Jealousy of the other animals or people hogging my attention. She will chitter chatter until I pick her up and give her her due attention. She also does not like when I leave the room at times. Every once in a while I get up to leave the room and I hear her (clipped wings) in the air. They are such strong flyers...she can and sometimes does fly from her play gym and lands on my back before I am even out of the room. Yet another nickname—Velcro birdie :-)

Overall, living with my Parrotlet Zoe is such a joy. I could not imagine my life without her. She is such a comical little thing...full of personality and very, very affectionate. She keeps both my husband and I laughing at all her little antics. She even giggles when she finds herself funny, which just makes us laugh even harder :-)

Pacific Parrotlets owned by Kristy Garcia