Parrot family birds
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FEEDING These birds require a staple seed diet of Sunflower Seed, Canary Seed, large Red or Yellow Millet, Hulled Oats, Buckwheat in Hull or as Groats, also Wheat which is a very hard seed and is best given soaked overnight. You may purchase these separately, mixing yourself or purchased ready mixed in a package. They should be given greens daily. If you scatter some need on a patch of damp peatmoss in a sunny spot, they will sprout and supply young green growth for them. An apple or pear should be stuck on a perch holder. Cod Liver Oil may be supplied by placing a few drops on this fruit, making a cut in it first to retain the oil. The birds will start eating the fruit where you made the incision. Give previously mentioned feeding supplements in a pinch on milk-soaked whole wheat bread, or mixed in with grated raw carrot, hard boiled egg or mashed potatoes. A length of Spray Millet should be hung up in their cage often.
In breeding, the larger Parrakeets require an outdoor flight with attached shelter about 15 feet long x 6 feet high x 6 feet wide; the construction of which should be the same as that explained in the Parrot chapter. Parrakeets, especially The Larger Parrakeets 81 t The larger Parrakeets make good parents, but the young should be removed from them as soon as they are feeding themselves, and the adults show signs of wanting to nest again. All this advice will help to forestall some of the difficulties in raising these beautiful birds. There will be other problems to handle as they come up, depending on each pair or species. This makes for the fascination of the hobby to the fancier. Some of the various Parrakeets are here described. Australia has 59 species, of which the Rosellas of the Broadtail family are one of the most beautiful; some of which have more than one name by which they are known: Rosellas are about 12 inches long. EASTERN or RED or SPLENDID ROSELLA (Platycer-cus e. eximius). Top of head, face, breast and under tail-coverts scarlet. Chin and throat, white. Hind-neck, scapulars and inner wing-coverts, velvety black, broadly edged with brighter green. Back, rump and upper tail-coverts, grass green. Central tail feathers dark green, outer ones, pale lilac. Outer wing-coverts, lilac. Primary flight feathers, black and blue. Bill, yellowish. Legs and feet, blue-grey. The hen is similar with less scarlet. You are sure it is a hen if a small spot of green is on the nape. NORTHERN ROSELLA or BROWN'S PARRAKEET (Pla-tycercus venustus). North Australia. This variety is said to be the most beautiful. The breast and rump are pale yellow, each feather having a dark edging at the tip producing a scaly effect. The head is velvety black. Cheek patches white with dark blue on lower edge. The feathers of the mantle are black with cream edgings. Wings are violet with lonei- 82 Parrot Family Birds t Other Rosellas are: MEALY or BLUE or PALE-HEADED ROSELLA (Platy-cercus a. alliceps). GOLDEN or YELLOW MANTLED ROSELLA with bright orange feathers edged with black on the back. WESTERN ROSELLA or STANLEY'S PARRAKEET (Platycercus icterotis). CRIMSON ROSELLA or PENNANT'S PARRAKEET (Platycercus elegans). ADELAIDE ROSELLA or ADELAIDE PARRAKEET (Platycercus adelaidae). YELLOW or YELLOW-RUMPED ROSELLA (Platycercus flaveolus). GREEN or YELLOW-BELLIED ROSELLA (Platycercus caledonicus). For a Parrakeet, Rosellas are not noisy, but have a musical whistle. They are best kept in an aviary rather than in a cage. They lay four to six eggs in a clutch. When acclimatized, they are hardy enough to be left out all year round in an unheated aviary. The sexes are alike. To tell them apart the quickest way, the hens have small greenish-brown feathers at the back of the eyes which cocks don't have. Nest boxes for these larger Parrakeets should be oblong boxes, 16 inches long x 10 inches high x 8 inches wide. Have a concave block of wood inside as is described for Shell Parrakeets. The Larger Parrakeeis 83 A The young resemble the hen and acquire adult plumage between 12 and 15 months old. Young cocks have larger, flatter heads and are brighter in the crown. Several of the twenty forms of Asiatic Parrakeets are: ALEXANDRINE PARRAKEETS (Psittacula nepalensis). This beautiful, sleek-feathered Parrakeet has been kept in cages since ancient times, and becomes very affectionate and attached to its owner. They are widely kept in India as a favorite cage bird. This is one of the largest if not the largest Parrakeet type bird, and is not as common as its close relatives, the Rose-Ringed or Indian Ring-Necked Parrakeet. There are four races of Alexandrines in the East Indian region, having minor differences in size and coloration, which are found throughout the Indian Empire excepting the northwestern desert area. CEYLON ALEXANDRINE (Psittacula eupatria) This is smaller, and is a common cage bird in that Island. BURMESE ALEXANDRINE (Psittacula avensis) This is the prettiest in feathering and is said to be the smallest. GREAT BILLED ALEXANDRINE (Psittacula magniros-tris) This race is restricted to the Andaman Islands, a group southeast of India and south of Rangoon, Burma. It is large and prettily colored. 84 Parrot Family Birds D  ESCRIPTION
Alexandrines are large Parrakeets about 20 inches long, with grass-green plumage, darker green on wings which have a maroon patch on the shoulders. The head is large for the body, characteristic of all races, having a short, massive, deeply hooked upper mandible. A black edging runs from under the lower mandible around the cheeks. The rose collar around the sides and back of the neck in cocks is absent in the hens which makes them easy to sex. The tail is very long, almost a foot, and pointed. FEEDING Staple feed for Alexandrines is a mixture of Sunflower (Giant Russian) Hulled oats, large Millet, raw peanuts, Canary Seed. Other seeds may be added for variety such as Wheat and cracked Corn (dry or soaked overnight in water), Buckwheat and Hemp seed. A few Almonds and Walnuts will be relished if given occasionally. A portion of cut up fruits, grapes and berries is beneficial. Other suitable items if you have them available are: fresh corn on cob, whole fresh peas in pod, dry whole wheat bread and dog biscuit, dates, figs, grated hard boiled egg yolk, corn or brown rice boiled in milk, celery stalk, raw carrot, fresh beet tops, lettuce, cabbage, sprays of fresh oats.
Alexandrines are free breeders when suitably mated and given proper accommodations. In the wild, many pairs may breed in a colony, however in captivity it is preferable to have only one pair in a pen. A breeding pair requires an outdoor flight about 18 ft. long x 6 ft. wide x 6 ft. high, having an enclosed 4 ft. long shelter as a retreat from rain, wind or sun. A Cockatiel nest box 16 in. long x 8 in. high x 6 in. wide, made of plywood, with a 3 inch diameter hole near the top makes an appropriate nest box. The bottom of it should have a 1 1/2 inch thick block of wood, gouged out to make a 3/4 inch deep concave hollow which prevents the eggs from rolling to the sides and getting chilled. A little sawdust may be placed in the hollow The Larger Parrakeels 85 t A small nail keg with the front boarded up except for a small hole at the top is fine also, and doesn't require a hollowed block as it should be hung on its side high up in the pen. These Parrakeets do not require any nesting material. The breeding season is from December to April. The eggs are all white, oval and blunted at both ends, numbering 2 to 5 in a clutch. Incubation requires 21 days and both parents incubate in turns and feed the young. When two months of age, the young are fully feathered and come out of the nest. They attain adult plumage after their second moult, the immature birds being of duller green coloring than the hen. Young Alexandrines are very desirable, as they will learn to speak a few words, which combined with their affectionate nature wanting attention, make them quite appealing. In the wild, Alexandrines prefer woodland near cultivated grain fields and orchards which they plunder freely. They also have a liking for berries and tropical flowers. Like the Crows and Common Mynahs I've noticed in India, Alexandrines wing their way in the evening to community roosts as wave after wave wing their way to the preferred groves and bicker for the choicest branches, till the setting sun puts an end to their chatter. With the rising morning sun there is an exodus to their feeding grounds. Alexandrines can be kept in a large Parrot Cage, where they may be permitted to go in and out at times while you are with them. Windows and doors should be closed then, of course. A block of non-poisonous soft wood should be attached to their perch with a small chain so they can exercise their large bill in playing with it.
T Another desirable Asiatic Parrakeet which is much smaller is: BLOSSOM-HEADED PARRAKEET (Psittacula cyano-cephala), sometimes called the Plum-Headed Parrakeet. 9 inches. There are three races. South India and Ceylon (P. cyanccephalus). North India-Assam (P. bengalensis). Burma (P. rosea). This is a pretty, docile small Parrakeet, very common as a pet in India. In Calcutta and Bombay, native boys have followed me in the street with these birds on their fingers. Perhaps they were either tamed, doped or had their flight feathers cut. At any rate, I was very tempted to purchase them but, being in the Army, was unable to keep them. Their bady is green with maroon shoulder patches. The most attractive part — the head — is a lovely shade of bluish-red. The hen lacks shoulder patches and the head is blue-grey. To complete the coverage of Psittacine Birds which are little known, the following are described for general information: HAWK-HEADED CAIQUES This genus, of which there are several species, is sometimes known as Fan Parrots. They are very close cousins of the plain-headed Caiques. Their peculiar characteristics are short, stout bill, long tail, and the feathers on the nape and hind neck which are long and erectile. These feathers form a hood when the bird is excited or angry. Their habitat is from Ecuador to Brazil. They are delicate birds, easily tamed, but don't talk too well. They live in small flocks of 10 to 20 individuals in the forest. Caiques 87   Their general body color is green. The breast, abdomen and erectile ruff feathers are dark maroon with blue edges. Sexes are alike. Some are: GUIANA HAWK-HEADED CAIQUE (Deroptyus a. accipitrinus) Habitat: The Guianas and Northern Brazil.
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RAZILIAN HAWK-HEADED CAIQUE (Deroptyus a. fuscifrons) of Northern Brazil. \ 
Kept as pets by the Indians in South America. These colorful birds have comical ways and become attached to their owner making an out of the ordinary bird pet. Photo by New York Zoological Society CAIQUES Caiques are small, stout birds of the Parrot Family, with unusually striking coloration. Hand-reared specimens are comical in their actions, and have an aggressive tendency towards each other. They have a short tail with pointed feathers which is less than half the length of the wings. Sexes are alike. Their habitat is in northeastern South America. They are kept as pets in that territory, but are not so generally known in the United States, except in Zoological Gardens. Representative specimens are: BLACK-HEADED CAIQUE 88 Parrot Family Birds ( WHITE BELLIED or WHITE BREASTED CAIQUES (Pionites 1. leucogaster) Body green, white below with orange crown. (Illustrated on page 87.)
Conures are close relatives of the Macaws, with pointed faces like them but feathered. Their coloring comprises bright yellow, red and green. They are very hardy in captivity, and when acclimatized may be kept in an outdoor aviary the year round. There are some slight differences in coloring between the sexes. Conures don't make too good talkers, but are very affectionate. The natives in their habitats often keep them as pets. These birds lay 3-4 eggs in a clutch. A few are: BLUE-CROWNED CONURE (Aratinga a. haemorrhous). These 8 to 9 inch birds make one of the nicest tame Psittacine Bird pets possible for the small home, apartment or even the bird lover in a furnished room. There are 28 species ranging from Mexico through Central America to Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. These close relatives of the larger Macaws become very much attached to their owner, and learn to say a few words, the Brown-Throated Conure being especially affectionate. It is when being away all day or when just greeting your Conure in the morning, that the bird's pleasure with your attention will be shown. They will learn a wolf whistle. When excited, the pupil of the eye will open and contract as the Conures 89 b Conures come in various shades of green, yellow and orange. The flight feathers are often blue, and some species have red on the head and breast. There is some slight difference in coloring between the sexes of some species, although others are almost identical to the inexperienced. In breeding, they should be given the same nesting accommodations as that stated for larger Parrakeets. Three to four eggs are laid in a clutch. FEEDING Conures require a mixture of Canary, Large Millet, hulled Oats with some Buckwheat. Large Sunflower seed should be given in a separate dish, at times in winter, cracked corn. Like most Psittacines of their size, they like fruit such as apple, grapes, bananas, etc. and little or no orange. The best greens to give them is a halved cob of fresh corn. A few drops of Cod Liver Oil should be added on the fruit or mixed in the Canary-Millet mixture at the rate of 1 teaspoonful to one pint of seed, this in cold weather. Some Conures will enjoy bathing in an 8 inch flowerpot saucer. Those that don't should be sprayed with tepid water to bring out the bright green sheen of their plumage. BROWN-THROATED CONURE (Aratinga pertinax aeru-ginosa) Habitat: Colombia and Venezuela. This species has dull blue over half its head, body light green, yellowish on abdomen and undertail feathers. Blue flight feathers, black bill and speckled brown throat. The sexes are almost indistinguishable, although cocks have a slightly longer and mort massive head and bill and can be especially differentiated by a wider and more elliptical white skin patch around the eyes with a thin ringlet of small yellow feathers. Immatures in their first plumage have much speckled brown in their green 90 Parrot Family Birds p By first training them to climb on an outstretched stick, they will trust you enough to eventually go on your finger. GOLDEN or YELLOW CONURE (Aratinga guarouba) Habitat: Northeast Brazil. This beautiful bird is almost all deep lemon-yellow suffused with red on the abdomen and sides of face. The upper wing-coverts are green, flights dark green above, golden-olive below. It requires up to three years for this bird to acquire its full adult golden plumage. QUEEN OF BAVARIA CONURE. This is the other almost all yellow species, with bill yellow, feet pinkish, naked skin around eye white. The iris varies from deep orange to brown. Young immatures have the cheeks and upper wing-coverts flecked with green and when real babies, are nearly all green. GOLDEN-CROWNED CONURE (Aratinga a. aurea) Habitat: Guianas, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Body mostly grass green, forehead, crown and face orange. Lores and back of head, dull blue, abdomen, orange-yellow. Bill is black, feet brownish, iris green to brown. The hen can be distinguished quite easily as she doesn't have the orange face. Their length is about 9 inches. WHITE-EARED CONURE (Pyrrhura leucotis) Habitat: Eastern Brazil. This may be the prettiest and most elegant of the Conures. It is mostly green, top of head and nape brownish-black. Forehead, cheeks, shoulders, rump, tail tip and middle of abdomen, deep red. Naked skin around eye, white. It inhabits the wooded coast region, and they are said to be quite common, and to have bred in captivity. Parrollels 91
Parrotlets are really miniatures of the large Amazon Parrots. They are not quite as small as the Pigmy Parrots of the South Pacific Islands but are from about 4 to 5% inches in length which makes them quite small. They are slow-moving except when flying as they are swift on the wing in undulating flight. Parrotlets are bright green, some having bright shades of blue on the wings, under wing-coverts and the rump, in cocks only. Hens are plain bright green having mostly yellow foreheads. Thus the sexes are easy to distinguish. They may be kept with the smallest Finches providing the flight cage is roomy. One pair may be kept in an ordinary Canary Cage. These little birds are never noisy or objectionable, their common call being a pleasant "Peet Peet" repeated in staccato fashion when feeling happy and exuberant. When handled against their will, they utter a rasping sound. A remarkable trait is their extreme attachment to one another whether in pairs, or even two cocks kept together which were observed to copulate. If separated in the same room, they will call their "Peet Peet" back and forth continually till united. These little birds like to stay in one place for long periods of time, especially if kept in a small cage by themselves. If one is handled often enough, it will eventually become finger tame, though never a talker. They are similar in appearance to African Love Birds, having very short tails, with the central two tail feathers the longest. The range of Parrotlets is from Mexico through Central and Northern So. America to Brazil and Bolivia. The distribution of blue on the wings and rump separates the species.
The main diet for Parrotlets is the standard Parrakeet Mixture, with a teaspoonful of Cod Liver Oil mixed in one pint of seed. It is difficult to induce these birds to eat greens, 92 Parrot Family Birds a Parrotlets, in common with other Psittacine Birds, do like something to chew on, and should be provided with sections of bark or pieces of soft wood. There is some indication that they like raw hamburger, as they have been known to eat the heads of birds that died of natural causes in their aviaries. In winter, when fresh corn is not available, they can be given cracked dry corn in a separate dish with their Parrakeet Mixture. Some Parrotlets may eat the smaller Sunflower seeds, and this should be encouraged by at first removing other seeds, and giving just Sunflower in a separate dish. It must be mentioned that this seed is new to them, as imported birds are only fed cracked corn, or dry corn on the cob, sometimes unhulled paddy rice. Parrotlets will not bathe, and prefer to roll in wet grass, lettuce or cabbage leaves. It is here suggested to spray them every week or two with tepid water or to give them a quick dip in lukewarm water. Place them in direct sun afterwards to dry out and preen. This will bring out the bright green of their plumage. BREEDING
Parrotlets lay up to 6 eggs in a clutch, and two nests per season. A Shell Parrakeet nest box with concave wood block at bottom is most suitable as they do not build nests. A very thin sprinkling of peatmoss may be placed in the concave to lessen any danger of egg breakage. The young are fed regurgitated seed, and the parents should also be provided with fresh corn on cob if available, and if they will take it, whole wheat bread and greens. Ground oystershell should have been provided two months prior to breeding. Newly paired Parrotlets will be encouraged to breed if other Parrotlets are in adjoining breeding compartments or even Shell Parra-keets. The breeding pair should be given strict solitude except when feeding and watering. Parrotlets 93 A Parrotlets are similar in appearance to African Love Birds, although much smaller. They have very short tails, with the two central tail feathers a little longer than the others. A few species are here described: GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLETS (Forpus guinanensis) Habitat: Guianas and Eastern Brazil. This is the smallest species, being little over 4 inches. Their body is bright green including the rump. The cocks have light blue on the wings, with royal blue on the under wing-coverts. The hen has a yellow forehead. She resembles the hens of the Blue-Wing species, but is much smaller, and both sexes have a slight bulging of the forehead to aid in identification from other species. Green-Rumps are stockier birds, and the head appears a little large for the body. PASSERINE PARROTLETS (Forpus passerinus viridiss-imus) Habitat: Venezuela. Bright green with only a trace of blue on the cock's rump. SPENGEL'S BLUE-WING PARROTLETS (Forpus spen-geli) Habitat: Colombia. This variety has a beautiful turquoise-blue rump, with light blue on the wings, and royal blue on the under wing-coverts in the cock. Body is bright green. The hen is lighter green, without any trace of blue, and has a yellow forehead. Length 5 inches. This variety is the prettiest. BLUE-WING PARROTLETS (Forpus p. vividus). Habitat: Mexico southwards. This is the commonest variety, and here the rump is ultramarine blue, the hen having a yellow forehead, and lacking blue feathers. Both are bright green, the hen having a yellow forehead. Another very pretty variety is the Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus c. conspicillatus) Habitat: Panama to Colombia. 94 Parrot Family Birds B  ROTOGERYS PARRAKEETS
This is a genus of small green Parrakeets widely kept as pets. Their body is green with a small orange spot on the chin. Two of them are: TOVI or BEE BEE PARRAKEET (Bro-togerys j. jugularis). Habitat: Mexico to Colombia. Green with orange spot on chin. This is the best known. And the WHITE-WINGED PARRAKEET (Brotogerys v. versicolorus). Body green with a band of white and yellow on the wings. DWARF PARROTS These are Green Parrots smaller than the Amazons, and are from six to ten inches in length. The smaller species are green birds with bronzy shoulders. Some have patches of yellow on throat or forehead. The sexes are alike. They are not very good talkers, but do get used to a cage. Their feeding is the same as that given for large Parrakeets, rather than for the Amazon Parrots. Their habitat is from Mexico to Central America. ECLECTUS PARROTS The two sexes of this Parrot have remarkable coloration which exists only in this genus. The cocks are bright green with red side markings while the hens are red with blue side markings. For some time zoologists took them to be different species. Their sizes run from 11 to 13 inches. RED-SIDED ECLECTUS (Lorius r. pectoralis). Habitat: New Guinea and Papua. SOLOMON ECLECTUS or KING PARROT (Lorius roratus). Solomon Islands. Cock: Green body with outer wings and tail feathers blue. A red patch under the wings extends to the flanks. Upper bill and iris, orange. Feet and |
nother one of the many attractive large Australian Par-rakeets is: PRINCESS OF WALES or ROSE-THROATED PARRAKEET (Polytelis alexandrae). From Central and Western Australia. This is a slim bird in beautiful pastel shades. Cock: Mantle, olive, crown, light blue, wing coverts, yellowish-green; rump, violet (just the males have this). The throat and thighs are pink, 
o steady the eggs. Some successful breeders use a small piece of fresh sod, roots up, as a nest bottom, the dampness aiding in hatching. The nest box should be placed high in the pen.
hese birds are not imported these days, because of the senseless Psittacine Law, but are still being bred by farsight-ed California aviculturists.
ird talks and whistles. This action of the pupil when excited is common with most of the larger Psittacines. They are widely kept as pets in their native lands.
lumage especially on the abdomen with the green very dark. Even hens will act very affectionate towards each other, so it is difficult to tell them apart by their actions alone.
ARROT LET S
n amusing characteristic of Spengel's Blue-Wing especially is a rattling sound of irritation uttered by the cocks against the more active members of their aviary in disapproval of any clumsiness displayed in flight.