Around The Farm Blog
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Parrotlets are the world’s smallest parrots. |
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Willy always wanted to be a pirate. |
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Vincent is just a pet and we don’t raise Parrotlets.
We wanted to share about Parrotlets because we have had so much fun having Vincent!
The following information was found on the International Parrotlet Society’s website.
ABOUT PARROTLETS
Parrotlets – Petite Parrots in a Pint-Sized Package
By: Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
Introduction
For people who want a bird with a large parrot personality without the large parrot, look no further than the diminutive parrotlet. These wonderful birds have all the personality of the large parrots but cannot eat the dining room table.
Recently, there has been an explosion of parrotlet popularity as pet birds. Being adorable, intelligent, playful and affectionate, the demand for parrotlets as pets is rapidly increasing. Most parrotlets are bundles of energy, spending hours swinging, climbing, playing with toys and interacting with their owners.
The exact life span of a parrotlet is unknown, mainly because they have not been kept in captivity in large numbers until recently. However, it is believed to be around 15 to 20 years of age or more. While they are not immune to avian diseases, if well cared for, parrotlets tend to be relatively disease resistant. If well fed, kept clean, not exposed to other birds and protected from accidents, most parrotlets can live a fairly long life for such a tiny creature. There are nine different species of Parrotlets.
There are many mispronunciations of the word “parrotlet” but the correct one is “parrot”-“let”, in which the middle “t” is pronounced. It is also helpful to remember that it means, “little parrot”.
Basic Parrotlet Care
Hand-fed parrotlets make wonderful pets and quickly become members of the family. Being highly intelligent they often can be taught to do tricks and can learn to talk. Parrotlets kept as single birds make the best pets. This is because one parrotlet often become dominant over the other and may become possessive and jealous and even pick on the other parrotlet. “Share” does not seem to be a word in the parrotlet vocabulary.
Although parrotlets are small, they are very active and intelligent so they need room and a lot of toys with which to play. A single parrotlet should have a cage at least 18″ by 18″. Of course, a larger cage is fine unless it is so big the parrotlet gets lost in it. Bar spacing should be no larger than 1/2″ or 5/8″ wide to insure that a head cannot get caught. The cage should have feed doors that allow for easy access to all dishes as well as provide a door big enough to stick in a hand. Cages should have pull out trays with grates to keep the parrotlet off of the bottom. Open food dishes should be used as many parrotlets will not stick their heads into a dish with a hood and can starve. Food and water should be placed so droppings cannot soil them.
Natural wood perches made from manzanita or eucalyptus should be used so the parrotlet may choose a comfortable spot and this will also help exercise their feet. Perches made from cement or sand are also available which help keep nails worn down. If using one of these perches, only provide one in a high spot in the cage as their feet can become irritated if it is the only place in which to perch. Never use sandpaper covers on perches as they do not wear down nails and can cut the bottoms of the parrotlet’s feet. The parrotlet’s cage should be kept out of drafts and direct sunlight. A quiet corner in a busy room is a good place. It is also a good idea to keep the cage covered at night to ensure sound sleep and help control daylight hours. Parrotlets should have at least 12 hours of darkness per night.
Pet parrotlets are usually bundles of energy, spending hours swinging, climbing and playing with lots of toys that their cage should accommodate. Ropes, ladders, leather chew toys, bells, beads and rings are particular favorites. However, parrotlets have very strong beaks for their tiny size so it is important to be safe, strong toys. Buy toys designed for cockatiels and conures not budgies or finches. Continually check toys and perches for wear and make sure there are no sharp edges or areas to enclose a beak or toe.
Being extremely active birds, parrotlets require a great deal of high-quality fuel. Gram for gram, they eat more than a macaw. Parrotlets will eat more than a cockatiel or even a small conure so always provide a large amount of food as well as a wide variety. A fresh high, quality seed or pellet diet is necessary. Diets designed for cockatiels or other small hook bills are perfect for parrotlets. If providing a seed diet, it is good to provide limited amounts of sunflower and hemp seed. Parrotlets, fortunately, are not prone to obesity and other dietary problems thought to be caused by too much fat in the diet. This is probably due to their hummingbird-like metabolisms and their high-energy playfulness.
Whether fed seeds or pellets, parrotlets still require fresh fruits, vegetables and greens daily. Parrotlets thrive on a basic diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, greens, sprouted seed, Petamine™, whole wheat bread, cooked rice, pasta, potatoes and dried beans. Fresh water, mineral block and cuttlebone should be available at all times. Many grains and protein foods also make healthy treats for pet parrotlets. Only feed top-quality, fresh, unspoiled foods. The best rule of thumb is if it’s not fit for a person, its not fit for a parrotlet.
More Information
The International Parrotlet Society was founded in 1992 to educate its members and the public on proper parrotlet care, breeding, conservation and exhibition as well as promote and support conservation and veterinary research. IPS members receive wonderful benefits such as a beautiful, full-color bi-monthly journal, a free Breeder Directory, attend biannual meetings, exhibition awards, participation in the Parrotlet Placement Program, contact with other knowledgeable parrotlet owners, breeders, researchers, conservationists and veterinarians, cooperative breeding programs and IPS traceable bands. Dues are $25 per year US $30 International. Contact:
International Parrotlet Society
PO Box 2428
Santa Cruz, CA 95063-2428
831/68805560
831/689-9534 (FAX)
www.internationalparrotletsociety.org