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PARROTLETS - TINY CLOWNS

OF THE PARROT WORLD

    By: Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.

    For people who want a bird with a large parrot personality without the large parrot,  look no further than the diminutive parrotlet.  Less than six inches in length, they are adorable, intelligent, playful and make wonderful pets when hand-fed. They can learn to talk, need little space, are easy to care for and incapable of screaming.  Most parrotlets enjoy physical contact and will lift every feather on their body in order to be stroked and petted. Often confused with lovebirds or gray-cheeked parakeets, parrotlets are true parrots who are closely related to the large Amazons.  Both males and females are bright green, but males have brilliant shades of blue on their backs, wings, rumps and head.  Most females lack blue feathers and are various shades of green and yellow. 

    Most parrotlets are bundles of energy, spending hours swinging, climbing and playing with toys.  Ropes, ladders, leather chew toys and Olympic rings are particular favorites. They are amazing acrobats and often play with several toys at once.  Being intelligent and fearless, their natural curiosity can get them into trouble if they are not supervised.  Parrotlets are very territorial and will attack other animals, especially other birds, much larger than themselves.

    Even though they have no problems keeping themselves (and you) entertained with their antics, they become very attached to their "person" and want to be with you the moment you walk in the door.  Hanging on the bars to their cage, they will chirp incessantly until you come take them out.  After that, they are quite content riding around on your shoulder or in your shirt pocket just checking out the scenery.  They will also learn to use a playpen but it should be in the same room as you so the bird does not wander around searching for you.  Parrotlets should never be permitted to have run-of-the-house privileges as it is too dangerous due to their tiny size.

    Parrotlets kept as single birds make the best pets. Both males and females make wonderful pets and can be taught to talk as well as perform tricks. Most parrotlets love motion and will play with anything that moves. Ideally, the young parrotlet should be placed with its new owner at six to ten weeks of age.  They are weaned and their bonding instinct is strongest at this time.  If the parrotlet is placed in a loving and caring home, it will become a member of the family.

    A single parrotlet should have a cage no smaller than 18" by 18".  Bar spacing should be ½" or less. A cage that is longer or wider than it is tall is the best. You need plenty of room to hang lots of toys and perches. The cage should also have a grate on the bottom to keep the parrotlet away from old food and droppings.  Natural wood perches, not dowels, should be provided.  Make sure that food and water is placed where they will not be soiled by droppings.  Do not use open food dishes as parrotlets will not stick their heads into a dish with a hood and can starve.  Water should be provided in a glass tube fountain.  Often, parrotlets use their water dishes to bathe in and will splash out all of the water.  If provided with a canary-size bath, they will play and splash until they are soaked.  Parrotlets will also bath in wet spinach or lettuce by rolling every inch of their body on the wet leaves.

    Any animal who expends so much energy must have a highly nutritious diet.  Fortunately, most hand-fed parrotlets are introduced to a wide variety of foods while young so they will eat almost anything.  They should be fed a good-quality small hookbill or cockatiel seed or pellets. Most parrotlets will eat both so why not provide both. Whether fed seeds or pellets, they still need fresh fruits, vegetables and greens every day.  They also love whole-grain breads, potatoes, rice and pasta which should be fed several times a week.  "People food" such as pizza crust, (plain) popcorn and muffins are especially relished.  Remember, as with all parrots, your parrotlet thinks anything you are eating is better than anything he is eating.  Fresh water, mineral block and cuttlebone should be available at all times.

    A parrotlet who lives in a clean environment, is provided with sufficient high quality nutrition, receives loving attention from its owner and is not exposed to other birds will be happy, healthy and long-lived.  Although their exact life span is unknown it is believed they can live twenty years or more.  If they are properly cared for, they are strong and hardy birds.  The fact that many people have successfully bred parrotlets outside all over the country is proof of their sturdy constitutions and resistance to disease.

    Unfortunately, however, parrotlets often meet their demise through accidents. They are very bold and intelligent but also very tiny. Care must be taken to keep them away from other pets and especially other birds. Parrotlets have a well-deserved reputation for being aggressive with other animals, including those much bigger than themselves. Keeping their wings clipped and closely supervised when out of their cage will help keep them safe and sound. Also, keep them away from houseplants even those considered "safe" - if your bird wants something green to munch on, give them some greens. Be aware of fumes that can injure or even kill your parrotlet including over-heated non-stick surfaces, smoke and some household cleaners.

    While Pacifics are the most popular, there are six other species of parrotlet: Green Rump, Blue Wing, Mexican, Yellow Face, Sclater's and Spectacled.  In addition, several species also have subspecies, often more than one.  Green Rumps are also relatively common, however, Mexicans and Blue Wings are more difficult to breed and much harder to find.  All of the Spectacled parrotlets in the United States are from birds imported from breeders in Belgium in 1992. Only a few pair were imported but thanks to dedicated breeders and the breed cooperative sponsored by the International Parrotlet Society, there are now hundreds of Spectacle parrotlets available including as pets. There are very few Yellow Face in this country but the International Parrotlet Society also has a breeding cooperative for them as well. Fortunately, many Europeans have been quite successful in breeding Yellow Face parrotlets.  

    The Pacific parrotlet is the most well-known species of parrotlet in aviculture. Also known as Celestial parrotlets, in the wild they are found from western Equador to north-western Peru.  The males have a cobalt blue streak of feathers extending backward from the eye as well as cobalt blue on the back, rump and wings.  Many females also have an eye streak but it is usually light turquoise or emerald green, dark green backs and wings with  light green feathers on the face. Pacifics have the most bold and outgoing personalities in the parrotlet world. They can be very loving and affectionate but they occasionally will question who is the boss. They are very much big parrots in little parrots' bodies. Many color mutations of the Pacific parrotlet have now been developed. So far, all of the colors have been both recessive and non-sex linked.

Albino - Pure white parrotlet with red eyes. Males can be distinguished from females by holding under a black light - the blue will be revealed.

American Yellow - Bright canary yellow with dark eyes. Males retain blue markings.

Blue - Light sky blue with dark eyes. Males retain cobalt blue markings.

Blue-Fallow - Light blue with red eyes. Males keep blue markings.

Cinnamon - Also known as "Isabelle" in Europe. Light yellow with beige. Ruby red eyes.  Males retain cobalt markings.

Fallow - Light yellow with green and beige. Red eyes. Males retain blue markings.

Gray Green - Deep rich olive green. Males' markings are blue-black.

Lutino - Bright yellow bird with red eyes. Males' blue markings replaced with white.

Pastel - European yellow. Yellow mixed with green. Eyes are dark. Males retain blue markings.

White - Light sky blue parrotlet with dark eyes. Males keep cobalt markings.

    Another common species, Green Rump parrotlets are the smallest weighing between 20-28 grams. They are native to Guyana and have a delicate, streamlined body with a small beak in proportion to their heads.  Predominantly apple-green, the females have a patch of yellow feathers between their eyes above the cere. The males have dark, cobalt blue on their primary wing feathers while the secondaries are turquoise.  They are the only species of parrotlet which lacks blue on the rump.  They are sweet and gentle birds but can be a bit timid and shy, especially with new things. There are four subspecies of Green Rumps found on Trinidad, Jamaica and in Brazil.

    One of the most colorful species is the Spectacled parrotlet. In the wild, they are found in Panama, Venezuela and Columbia. Males are a deep, rich evergreen with bright violet-blue on the wings, rump and completely encircling the eye. Females are bright green with emerald feathers encircling the eye and yellow-green faces.  There are two subspecies of Spectacled parrotlets. Spectacles have very outgoing and curious natures but are less like to challenge their owners' authority than their cousins, the Pacifics.

    Mexican parrotlets are the only parrotlets not found in Central or South America but are native to Mexico.  Both males and females have gray beaks and legs, however, the females' beaks do not turn gray until they are in breeding condition.  The males have brilliant bright turquoise feathers on the back, rump and wings.  Females have dark green heads, backs and wings with yellow-green on the wings, face and under-parts.  There are two subspecies found in Sonora and the Tres Marias Islands.

    The Blue Wing parrotlet is often confused with a Mexican parrotlet.  Blue Wings also have gray beaks and legs but are much more trim and streamlined. They range from Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina through eastern Brazil.  Males have dark violet-blue on the rump and wings.  Females have green-yellow feathers on the face between the eyes and yellow under-parts. Blue Wings have five subspecies which are found in Brazil, Peru, Columbia and Bolivia.     

    The rarest species of parrotlet is the Yellow Face. Weighing close to fifty grams, it is also the largest.  They are found only  in one remote valley in north-western Peru. Males have deep cobalt-blue wings, rump and eye streak similar to male Pacifics.  Both males and females have bright yellow on the forehead, face and throat.  Regularly bred in Europe, they have all but disappeared from American aviculture.  Once considered a subspecies of Pacific parrotlet, it is now considered a separate and distinct species.  There are no subspecies of Yellow Face parrotlets.

    Sclater's Parrotlets have never been imported into this country and are rare even among breeders in Europe. They are found in northern Brazil, south-eastern Columbia, north-eastern Equador, eastern Peru and northern Bolivia. They are approximately five and one-half inches in length.  The males' general plumage is dark green, darker than any other species.  They also have emerald green on the forehead and cheeks.  The lower back and rump are a deep violet-blue which is also darker than any other parrotlet. The females are lighter than the males with yellow under-parts as well as yellow-green foreheads and cheeks.  The Sclater's parrotlet has one subspecies native to western Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil and Columbia.        

    The International Parrotlet Society was founded in August 1992 to promote the proper care, breeding, showing and conservation of parrotlets.  Members receive a bimonthly journal which includes a color photograph of a different species or mutation of parrotlet. Each issue is broken down into pet, breeder and general information specifically about parrotlets. Classified advertising is free and each member receives a copy of the IPS Breeder Directory (breeders are listed for free). IPS also sponsors cooperative breeding programs for Mexican and Yellow Face parrotlets. Annual surveys are taken regarding all aspects of the care and breeding of parrotlets and shared with members. IPS supports a Parrotlet Placement Program to find stable, loving homes for unwanted parrotlets. Dues are $25.00 individual and $30.00 for family and international members. For more information, contact:

International Parrotlet Society

Post Office Box 2428

Santa Cruz,  California  95063-2428

(831) 688-5560

www.internationalparrotletsociety.org

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