Pacific Parrotlet
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. Pacific Parrotlet
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  • Scientific Name:  Forpus coelestis
  • Common Name/s:  PACIFIC PARROTLET,  CELESTIAL PARROTLET.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin:  ?
  • Origin / Distribution:  North western South America.  Peru and Ecuador.
  • Habitat In Wild:  Dry scrubland.
  • Status In Wild:  ?
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Rare
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  10 - 12 months
  • Adult plumage: attained at about ? months  
  • Best breeding years (estimate):  2nd year onwards.
  • Lifespan (estimate):  Parrotlets can live for up to 20 years.
  • Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Mutations:  Mutations have been bred overseas.
  • Availability:  Specialist breeders
  • Temperament:  Attractive birds.  Hand raised birds can make good pets and may learn a few words.  Pacific Parrotlets are aggressive during the breeding season.  Generally quiet birds that are unlikely to cause problems with neighbours.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour  (Approx.) $Lots
  • Description Of Adults:  The hens are mainly green.  Hens lack the cock bird's blue markings.
  1. Length: Approx. 125 - 130 mm (or approx 5 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 30 gms (or approx. 1 ozs)

Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws:  Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements:  Refer to " Housing Birds " web page for general details on the housing of Non Australian Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.

They are aggressive and territorial birds and should be housed one pair per aviary.  Results are better in a small aviary compared to those obtained when bred in a cage.  The pacific Parrotlet is an active bird and will benefit from the inclusion of suitable parrot bird toys and parrot bird gyms placed in the cage or aviary.

As one of the smallest parrots, the spacing of the wire bars in the cage should not be greater than 12mm or half an inch.

They are from dry areas and do not bathe and do not like being sprayed or misted with water.

Non-toxic leafy branches can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced regularly. The birds will chew any flowers and fruiting bodies on the branches.

Diet / Feeding:   Refer to " Feeding Birds " web page for general details on the feeding of Non Australian Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.

In the aviary these birds need a quality "small parrot mix" or "budgie seed mix" supplemented with plain canary seed and small amount of sunflower seed.  Seeding grasses along with some leafy green vegetables such as silverbeet, spinach or endive.  A variety of fruits e.g. apple, pear, orange and a variety of seasonally available vegetables should be offered as part of their daily food intake.  Sprouted or soaked seed can be offered.  Some parrots will consume insects such as mealworms, especially if they have young in the nest.  The mealworm larvae, pupa and beetle can be offered.  The insects provide a good source of easily digested protein.

Nesting:  A basic overview only.  Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences.  Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.  If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.  Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.  If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

  • Nesting months:
  • Log / Nest-box
    • Length / depth ? mm (or approx. ? inches)
    • Log internal diameter approx. ? mm. (or approx. ? inches)
    • Nest-box internal dimensions approx. ? mm square (or approx. ? inches square)
    • Diameter of entrance hole approx. ? mm (or approx. ? inches)
    • Inspection hole (square or round) 100 mm (or approx 4 inches)
    • A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
    • Location and height of log / nest-box ......
    • Angle of log or nest box ...
  • Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
  • Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

The birds generally stay in the nest during nest inspections and protect the eggs with spread wings.  Care has to be taken as the hen may damage one or more eggs whilst trying to protect her eggs.

Nest boxes are best positioned so the nest inspection can be carried out from outside the aviary.  Nest inspection is best done when the adult birds are out of the nest.

Timber nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening about 100mm (about 4 inches) from the top. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding:  Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year  1, sometimes 2.  Eggs per nest  4 - 8.  Incubation approx. 20 - 23 days.  Fledge approx. 28 - 30 days.  Independent approx. another  2 weeks.

Young should be removed from the parent birds as soon as they are fully independent so as to avoid possible aggression from a parent, usually the cock bird.  Removal of the young may encourage the hen to lay another clutch.

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues: Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References:  Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture

  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 18 Issue 12. Dec-Jan 2006 Page 730-732 (Cinnamon mutation).

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