Plum-Headed Parakeet: Bird Species Profile

The plum-headed parakeet is a medium-sized parrot of hanging magnificence. This Asian parrot makes a superb pet, as it’s much less aggressive and possessive than another parrot species, and it will get alongside effectively with others. It’s much less demanding of an proprietor’s time than many different parrots, however it nonetheless wants common interplay to stay socialized. 

Origin and Historical past

Plum-headed parakeets hail from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. They thrive within the woodlands and forested areas, the place they make the bushes their habitat. Escaped pet plum-headed parakeets dwell in quite a lot of climates around the globe, generally 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. 

Though wild numbers of this chook are regularly dwindling resulting from habitat loss, plum-headed parakeets nonetheless thrive and are usually not threatened by extinction. 

Temperament

Plum-headed parakeets are typically mild, social, and affectionate birds with their house owners, though they are often considerably stand-offish with strangers. They’re comparatively quiet for a parrot, so that they stands out as the proper selection for these chook house owners who dwell in residences or different housing conditions close to neighbors. 

When hand-fed as infants, plum-headed parakeets can turn out to be very tame and can bond strongly with their house owners. This chook is much less demanding of an proprietor’s time than many parrots. Nevertheless, common interplay continues to be essential to keep up human bonding.

It’s important for individuals who should not have expertise with Psittacula species to grasp that many of those birds will undergo a bluffing section throughout their adolescence. This section is strictly hormone-related and isn’t a sign of how the chook’s character can be as soon as it reaches maturity. Typically, birds which are dealt with every day keep tame and bond effectively with their house owners.

Speech and Vocalizations

Many of those birds—particularly the males—are good talkers. The chattering that begins at about 6 to eight months of age could give solution to coherent mimicry very quickly if an proprietor is prepared to speak repeatedly to the chook. Speech is just not a common talent, and a few birds won’t ever exhibit this expertise.

Plum-Headed Parakeet Colours and Markings

Plum-headed parakeets are a dimorphic species, so it’s comparatively straightforward to inform mature women and men aside by the colour variants of their plumage. The physique of each sexes is primarily inexperienced with various shades occurring on the breast, stomach, again, and wings. Males have purplish-red heads which are outlined by a black ring across the neck. Females exhibit blue-gray feathers on their heads and lack the black neck stripe. As a substitute, a lot of them have yellow-tinged feathers round their necks.

Caring for the Plum-Headed Parakeet

As a result of it has such an extended tail, a plum-headed parakeet is finest suited to a comparatively massive cage. A cage with a 24-inch-by-36-inch footprint and 36 inches in top is a minimal requirement. Bar spacing ought to be not more than 1/2 inch. Embrace a distinct play fitness center containing toys inside the cage, and one other play fitness center separate from the cage for train durations. If you’re retaining a pair of birds, present them with a bigger aviary enclosure. In an aviary setting, the plum-headed is among the few parrots that can fortunately coexist with non-competing birds, equivalent to finches.  

Like every parrot, the plum-headed parakeet wants a while every day outdoors the cage, however in contrast to different, extra demanding parrots, the plum-headed is just not a cuddler that wants fixed petting and hands-on play. As a substitute, it should doubtless be content material to merely sit in your shoulder and “discuss” with you. With out this stage of every day interplay, although, the chook could withdraw and even turn out to be considerably wild once more. 

Frequent Well being Issues

Plum-headed parakeets are comparatively hardy birds, though they are often affected by damp, chilly circumstances. Some frequent avian ailments affecting this species embrace:

• Polyomavirus, a virus that may pores and skin issues
• Sarcocystosis, deadly protozoan parasitic illness
• Aspergillosis, a fungal respiratory illness
• Bacterial infections that may trigger pneumonia
• Psittacosis, parrot fever brought on by the chlamydia micro organism

Weight loss program and Vitamin

Within the wild, this chook feeds totally on fruit and seeds. Like different parrots, plum-headed parakeets do finest in captivity after they eat a food plan consisting of high-quality seed and pellet combine, supplemented every day with contemporary, bird-safe fruit and veggies. A chook will eat as much as 1 tablespoon of meals per day. 

These birds get pleasure from selection of their diets, so experiment with meals like sprouts, leafy greens, berries, and even peppers. Birds can’t choose up on “spicy sizzling” flavors as people do, so a lot of them get pleasure from choosing aside spicy peppers to get on the seeds inside.

Train

Plum-headed parakeets are very lively birds within the wild. In captivity, these birds should have an train and play space. These birds ought to be allowed a minimal of three to 4 hours outdoors the cage every day, in a secure, bird-proofed play space. At all times supervise this free interval to stop accidents and accidents. This train and interplay time is essential for retaining a plum-headed parakeet wholesome and effectively socialized. 

The place to Undertake or Purchase a Plum-Headed Parakeet

Plum-headed parakeets are a standard pet, and orphaned birds could also be obtainable, so examine with rescue organizations and pet adoption businesses. Some aviary pet shops could promote this chook, though potential house owners will extra doubtless want to hunt out a breeder. 

Pricing for this chook ranges from $400 to $700. Should you’re going the breeder route, guarantee that the breeder is respected by asking them how lengthy they have been breeding the species. Ensure that your chook is alert, lively, and displays all of the indicators of a wholesome chook, equivalent to vibrant eyes, clear feathers, and a full crop.

Rescues, adoption organizations, and breeders the place you’ll find plum-headed parakeets parrots embrace:

• Hookbills for Sale
• Birds Now
• Undertake a Pet

Extra Pet Chicken Species and Additional Analysis

If the plum-headed parakeet pursuits you, additionally think about these birds:

• Cockatiel Species Profile
• Solar Conure Species Profile
• Quaker Parrot Species Profile

In any other case, take a look at all of our different small parrot species profiles.