The Plum-Headed Parakeet, Psittacula cyanocephala, combines an excellent, unique look with hardiness and an interesting character. Though lively and inquisitive, their calm and relaxed demeanor makes these South Asian natives great pets and aviary additions.
Learn on to search out out why they’re one of the widespread chicken pet decisions on the earth.
Species Overview
Shade: | Inexperienced, various over the physique, head is purple/pink (male) and blue/grey (feminine) |
Dimension: | 13–14 inches (grownup) |
Weight: | 2.3–2.8 ounces |
Wingspan: | 14 inches |
Medium-sized parrots of singular magnificence, Plum Headed Parakeets make good pets, being much less aggressive and possessive than different species, and getting alongside effectively with others. Whereas much less demanding of householders’ time than different parrots, they nonetheless require common interplay to keep up socialization.
These social birds can reside alone or in teams. House owners generally hold 2 to 4 parakeets collectively in a single enclosure. Good household pets, Plum Headed Parakeets thrive in conditions the place a number of individuals are offering socialization and enrichment.
Plum-Headed Parakeet Traits
Historical past & Pure Habitat
Plum Headed Parakeets originate from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and they are often discovered within the woodlands and forests of practically any well-wooded space aside from the excessive Himalayan mountains. Within the few instances wherein they’ve been transplanted, Plum Headed Parakeets have succeeded in a wide range of climates all around the world, having even been recognized to ascertain small breeding populations.
Whereas wild numbers have step by step decreased with habitat loss, Plum-Headed Parakeets nonetheless thrive and will not be threatened by extinction.
Issues to Know When Proudly owning a Plum-Headed Parakeet
Temperament
Plum Headed Parakeets are recognized to be light, social, and affectionate, significantly with their house owners. With strangers, nevertheless, they are often slightly aloof and unresponsive. Comparatively quiet for parrots, they could be a sensible choice for these in residences or different shut quarters with neighbors.
If hand-fed from infancy, Plum-Headed Parakeets can develop to be fairly tame and develop robust bonds with their house owners. Whereas they’re typically much less demanding of devoted proprietor interplay than most parrots, a certain quantity of normal interplay stays necessary to maintain bonding.
If you’re inexperienced with Psittacula species, it’s good to remember that they typically bear a “bluffing” part throughout adolescence. Throughout bluffing, you’ll seemingly see elevated aggression, together with hissing, biting, and general resistance to interplay. Bluffing is strictly hormone-related and on no account an indicator of the chicken’s eventual character. It’s essential throughout this time to disregard the chicken’s cues and proceed common bonding behaviors, regardless of the response.
It solely lasts just a few months, so it’s not that huge a deal. Plum-Headed Parakeets which are dealt with each day will keep tame and proceed to bond effectively as soon as their hormones have stabilized.
Sounds, Speech & Vocalizations
Plum Headed Parakeets have well-known speaking talents, which may embrace mimicking and reproducing human speech. They be taught effectively and may imitate every kind of phrases and phrases precisely, due to intelligence and a eager sense of listening to. Plum Headed Parakeets are fast learners with superior reminiscence retention and are recognized to acknowledge sounds and reproduce them simply.
If correctly educated and socialized, can be taught to affiliate phrases with particular conditions or actions, and reply in flip. Additionally, vocalization is various and may incorporate a variety of whistles, chirps, squawks, and different sounds. Their distinct singing type is exclusive from different parrots.
Plum-Headed Parakeet Look
Plum Headed Parakeets are among the most fantastically coloured birds you’ll be able to personal.
They’re sexually dimorphic, that’s their look will differ by gender.
Males have red-colored heads transferring to gray or, clearly, plum, to a bluish-purple behind the top, again of the neck, and cheeks. The male is well acknowledged by a slender black neck collar and a black chin stripe extending to the decrease jaw. In addition they can present a pink shoulder patch.
Females exhibit a bluish-gray head with no black neck band, however slightly a gradient pale-yellow collar. Youthful females have inexperienced heads and yellow mandibles. Each sexes have lengthy, slender, bluish tails shading to white on the very tip. The irises are black, and the legs are pale grey.
Caring for the Plum-Headed Parakeet
Plum-Headed Parakeets have a typically relaxed nature, permitting them to typically coexist peacefully with different birds in shared quarters equivalent to aviaries. Like different species, although, they will develop into aggressive throughout breeding durations, particularly females, so they need to be monitored. Short-term separation could also be needed.
In captivity, they might exhibit preliminary shyness and timidity, though this may be overcome with common, constant coaching and each day interplay. You ought to be conscious that, regardless of being sociable, they typically aren’t keen on being cuddled by their house owners. Moderately, yours will most likely be completely content material to easily sit in your shoulder and chat with you.
Conserving your Plum-Headed Parakeet’s plumage wholesome and clear is pretty easy. A flat container stuffed with water needs to be stored obtainable for normal bathing. Additionally, a bathe sprayer can be utilized to wash them two or 3 times weekly. You also needs to have particular grooming instruments and gadgets to trim beaks and nails as needed.
Weight loss plan & Vitamin
Within the wild, these birds largely exist on fruit and seeds. In captivity, a eating regimen consisting of high-quality seed and pellet combine, equivalent to small parrot feed mix, supplemented each day with contemporary, bird-safe vegetables and fruit will do them effectively.
A Plum Headed Parakeet will eat as much as 1 tablespoon of meals per day. They do take pleasure in selection, so you’ll be able to experiment with meals like sprouts, leafy greens, and berries.
Branches from budding apple, pear, peach, and different fruit bushes will please them, in addition to hold them occupied for hours. Plum-Headed Parakeets like to carry their meals in a single foot whereas perching with the opposite. Chopping vegetables and fruit into cubes of roughly 1 sq. inch will enable them to indulge on this.
Cage & Housing Necessities
Since they’re fast, energetic flyers, Plum Headed Parakeets do well in larger cages or aviaries. A cage minimal of 40 x 20 x 32 inches is sweet to accommodate a pair. Two softwood perches of a couple of half inch in diameter positioned at completely different heights within the cage present good roosting. Cage equipment equivalent to toys, meals dishes, and perches needs to be stored to a minimal, so there’s loads of room to maneuver with out crowding. Be certain the cage is in a location away from drafts or dangerous fumes.
Branches from non-toxic bushes needs to be supplied for pure perches and to offer a possibility to chew on bark, leaves, and seeds, which they not solely love, however additional offers wonderful beak train. These birds like to climb and are skillful, sleek fliers. Thus, they do finest in out of doors or indoor aviaries, to allow them to keep lively and have an attention-grabbing atmosphere. Whereas Plum-Headed Parakeets can get used to life in a big cage, they nonetheless can get sluggish in the event that they don’t have each day train out of the cage.
Though they’re present in tropic-like habitats, Plum-Headed Parakeets additionally steadily inhabit increased altitudes all through the Subcontinental area. You may be stunned at how well-adapted they’re to cooler temperatures. Out of doors housing can typically work out effectively if warmth is supplied to their dwelling.
Your Plum-Headed Parakeet is mild-mannered and usually will get alongside effectively in teams and with such neighbors as Java Rice Birds, Chinese language Quail, bigger finches, and comparable birds. Breeding pairs, nevertheless, are finest stored alone.
Train
As famous, it’s endorsed that your Plum-Headed Parakeets spend time outdoors of the enclosure day-after-day. They want the room to stretch out and use their wings, and this offers a variety of the train they want.
Contained in the enclosure, parakeets will also be supplied with climbing and chewing toys for extra train and enrichment all through their day. Some examples of those are ropes, swings, and ladders.
Parakeets thrive on consistent enrichment and interplay. As we’ve mentioned, they are often educated to execute not solely tips but in addition obey instructions for naturally occurring actions equivalent to flying to sure spots and retrieving gadgets.
Well being & Circumstances
Plum-Headed Parakeets are a hardy and resilient species, however the next preventative well being measures ought to nonetheless be taken.
Strict worming and parasite management
Keep hygiene by routinely cleansing discarded meals and droppings
Clear water dishes each day
Take away contemporary meals earlier than spoiling
Widespread Sicknesses for this birds are:
Minor Circumstances
- Parasites (particularly mites)
- Weight problems
- Hypovitaminosis A (low ranges of vitamin A)
Severe Circumstances
Tumors
Goiters
Liver Illness
Bumblefoot and different foot problems
Psittacosis
Osteoarthritis
If the habits or look of your parakeet appears irregular, it’s at all times a good suggestion to hunt medical care.
3 Little-Recognized Information In regards to the Plum-Headed Parakeet
1. Throughout flight, Plum-Headed Parakeets change instructions quickly, twisting and turning whereas making distinctive sounds.
2. Chewing is sort of as interesting to them as flying. They’ll chew on something they will of their enclosure.
3. Traditionally, Plum-Headed Parakeets have been included in the identical group as Psittacula roseate, the Blossom-Headed Parakeet.
Conclusion
An interesting character and set of character traits, gorgeous look, and nice social profile make the Plum-Headed Parakeet a most enjoyable member of the family. Liked worldwide, they’re very intelligent and playful, straightforward to take care of, and might be trusted to make the day brighter and extra attention-grabbing.