Plum-Headed Parakeet — Full Profile, Historic previous, and Care

The plum-headed parakeet is a medium-sized parrot of hanging magnificence. This Asian parrot makes a wonderful pet, because it’s a lot much less aggressive and possessive than one other parrot species, and it’ll get alongside properly with others. It is a lot much less demanding of an proprietor’s time than many various parrots, nevertheless it certainly nonetheless desires widespread interaction to remain socialized.

Origin and Historic previous

Plum-headed parakeets hail from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. They thrive throughout the woodlands and forested areas, the place they make the bushes their habitat. Escaped pet plum-headed parakeets dwell in numerous climates across the globe, usually establishing small breeding populations.

A variation of this species, the so-called intermediate parakeet (Psittacula intermedia), is considered a hybrid between the plum-headed and the slaty-headed parakeet.

Although wild numbers of this rooster are step-by-step dwindling attributable to habitat loss, plum-headed parakeets nonetheless thrive and are normally not threatened by extinction.

Temperament

Plum-headed parakeets are usually gentle, social, and affectionate birds with their homeowners, although they’re usually significantly stand-offish with strangers. They’re comparatively quiet for a parrot, so that they might be the correct different for these rooster homeowners who dwell in residences or totally different housing situations near neighbors.

When hand-fed as infants, plum-headed parakeets can grow to be very tame and may bond strongly with their homeowners. This rooster is far much less demanding of an proprietor’s time than many parrots. Nonetheless, widespread interaction continues to be essential to maintain human bonding.

It is necessary for people who don’t want experience with Psittacula species to understand that a lot of these birds will endure a bluffing half all through their adolescence. This half is strictly hormone-related and is not an indication of how the rooster’s persona shall be as quickly because it reaches maturity. Usually, birds which is perhaps handled every day maintain tame and bond properly with their homeowners.

Speech and Vocalizations

Lots of these birds—significantly the males—are good talkers. The chattering that begins at about 6 to eight months of age might give methodology to coherent mimicry in a short time if an proprietor is eager to talk recurrently to the rooster. Speech is not a standard skill, and some birds will not ever exhibit this experience.

Plum-Headed Parakeet Colors and Markings

Plum-headed parakeets are a dimorphic species, so it is comparatively easy to tell mature women and men apart by the color variants of their plumage. The physique of every sexes is primarily inexperienced with numerous shades occurring on the breast, abdomen, once more, and wings. Males have purplish-red heads which is perhaps outlined by a black ring throughout the neck. Females exhibit blue-gray feathers on their heads and lack the black neck stripe. In its place, loads of them have yellow-tinged feathers spherical their necks.

Caring for the Plum-Headed Parakeet

Because of it has such a protracted tail, a plum-headed parakeet is biggest suited to a relatively large cage. A cage with a 24-inch-by-36-inch footprint and 36 inches in high is a minimal requirement. Bar spacing must be no more than 1/2 inch. Embrace a singular play well being membership containing toys all through the cage, and one different play well being membership separate from the cage for practice intervals. In the event you’re retaining a pair of birds, current them with an even bigger aviary enclosure. In an aviary setting, the plum-headed is probably going one of many few parrots that may happily coexist with non-competing birds, akin to finches.

Like a number of parrot, the plum-headed parakeet desires some time daily outside the cage, nevertheless in distinction to totally different, further demanding parrots, the plum-headed is not a cuddler that desires fastened petting and hands-on play. In its place, it ought to potential be content material materials to merely sit in your shoulder and “talk about” with you. With out this stage of every day interaction, though, the rooster might withdraw and even grow to be significantly wild as soon as extra.

Widespread Effectively being Points

Plum-headed parakeets are comparatively hardy birds, although they’re usually affected by damp, chilly circumstances. Some frequent avian illnesses affecting this species embody:

• Polyomavirus, a virus that will pores and pores and skin points
• Sarcocystosis, lethal protozoan parasitic sickness
• Aspergillosis, a fungal respiratory sickness
• Bacterial infections that will set off pneumonia
• Psittacosis, parrot fever introduced on by the chlamydia micro organism

Weight-reduction plan and Weight-reduction plan

Throughout the wild, this rooster feeds completely on fruit and seeds. Like totally different parrots, plum-headed parakeets do biggest in captivity after they eat a weight reduction plan consisting of high-quality seed and pellet mix, supplemented every day with latest, bird-safe vegatables and fruits. A rooster will eat as a lot as 1 tablespoon of meals per day.

These birds benefit from number of their diets, so experiment with meals like sprouts, leafy greens, berries, and even peppers. Birds cannot select up on “spicy scorching” flavors as individuals do, so loads of them benefit from choosing apart spicy peppers to get on the seeds inside.

Practice

Plum-headed parakeets are very vigorous birds throughout the wild. In captivity, these birds might want to have an practice and play area. These birds must be allowed a minimal of three to 4 hours outside the cage daily, in a safe, bird-proofed play area. On a regular basis supervise this free interval to cease accidents and accidents. This practice and interaction time is necessary for retaining a plum-headed parakeet healthful and properly socialized.

The place to Undertake or Buy a Plum-Headed Parakeet

Plum-headed parakeets are a typical pet, and orphaned birds is also obtainable, so study with rescue organizations and pet adoption companies. Some aviary pet outlets might promote this rooster, although potential homeowners will further potential wish to hunt out a breeder.

Pricing for this rooster ranges from $400 to $700. For many who’re going the breeder route, assure that the breeder is revered by asking them how prolonged they’ve been breeding the species. Assure that your rooster is alert, vigorous, and divulges all the indicators of a healthful rooster, akin to shiny eyes, clear feathers, and a full crop.

Rescues, adoption organizations, and breeders the place you will discover plum-headed parakeets parrots embody:

• Hookbills for Sale
• Birds Now
• Undertake a Pet

Further Pet Fowl Species and Extra Evaluation

If the plum-headed parakeet pursuits you, moreover ponder these birds:

In another case, check out all of our totally different small parrot species profiles.