Plum-Headed Parakeet — Full Profile, Historic previous, and Care

The plum-headed parakeet is a medium-sized parrot of hanging magnificence. This Asian parrot makes an excellent pet, because it’s a lot much less aggressive and possessive than one other parrot species, and it’ll get alongside properly with others. It is a lot much less demanding of an proprietor’s time than many various parrots, but it surely certainly nonetheless desires widespread interaction to remain socialized. 

Origin and Historic previous

Plum-headed parakeets hail from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. They thrive throughout the woodlands and forested areas, the place they make the bushes their habitat. Escaped pet plum-headed parakeets reside in a variety of climates across the globe, usually 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. 

Although wild numbers of this chook are frequently dwindling on account of habitat loss, plum-headed parakeets nonetheless thrive and shouldn’t threatened by extinction. 

Temperament

Plum-headed parakeets are often delicate, social, and affectionate birds with their householders, although they’re typically significantly stand-offish with strangers. They’re comparatively quiet for a parrot, in order that they typically is the correct various for these chook householders who reside in flats or completely different housing circumstances near neighbors. 

When hand-fed as infants, plum-headed parakeets can turn into very tame and might bond strongly with their householders. This chook is way much less demanding of an proprietor’s time than many parrots. However, widespread interaction stays to be important to deal with human bonding.

It is vital for people who haven’t got experience with Psittacula species to know that a lot of these birds will bear a bluffing part all through their adolescence. This part is strictly hormone-related and is not an indication of how the chook’s persona could be as quickly because it reaches maturity. Sometimes, birds that are handled every day hold tame and bond properly with their householders.

Speech and Vocalizations

Lots of these birds—significantly the males—are good talkers. The chattering that begins at about 6 to eight months of age might give answer to coherent mimicry in a short time if an proprietor is eager to talk typically to the chook. Speech is simply not a typical potential, and some birds will not ever exhibit this experience.

Plum-Headed Parakeet Colors and Markings

Plum-headed parakeets are a dimorphic species, so it is comparatively easy to tell mature women and men apart by the color variants of their plumage. The physique of every sexes is primarily inexperienced with varied shades occurring on the breast, abdomen, once more, and wings. Males have purplish-red heads that are outlined by a black ring throughout the neck. Females exhibit blue-gray feathers on their heads and lack the black neck stripe. As a substitute, numerous them have yellow-tinged feathers spherical their necks.

Caring for the Plum-Headed Parakeet

On account of it has such an prolonged tail, a plum-headed parakeet is most interesting suited to a relatively big cage. A cage with a 24-inch-by-36-inch footprint and 36 inches in prime is a minimal requirement. Bar spacing should be no more than 1/2 inch. Embody a singular play health heart containing toys contained in the cage, and one different play health heart separate from the cage for prepare durations. In case you’re preserving a pair of birds, current them with an even bigger aviary enclosure. In an aviary setting, the plum-headed is probably going one of many few parrots which will happily coexist with non-competing birds, resembling finches.  

Like a number of parrot, the plum-headed parakeet desires some time every single day outdoor the cage, nonetheless in distinction to completely different, further demanding parrots, the plum-headed is simply not a cuddler that wishes mounted petting and hands-on play. As a substitute, it’s going to in all probability be content material materials to merely sit in your shoulder and “talk about” with you. With out this diploma of every day interaction, though, the chook might withdraw and even turn into significantly wild as soon as extra. 

Frequent Nicely being Points

Plum-headed parakeets are comparatively hardy birds, although they’re typically affected by damp, chilly conditions. Some frequent avian sicknesses affecting this species embody:

• Polyomavirus, a virus which will pores and pores and skin points
• Sarcocystosis, lethal protozoan parasitic sickness
• Aspergillosis, a fungal respiratory sickness
• Bacterial infections which will set off pneumonia
• Psittacosis, parrot fever introduced on by the chlamydia micro organism

Weight-reduction plan and Food plan

Inside the wild, this chook feeds completely on fruit and seeds. Like completely different parrots, plum-headed parakeets do most interesting in captivity as soon as they eat a meals routine consisting of high-quality seed and pellet mix, supplemented every day with modern, bird-safe vegatables and fruits. A chook will eat as a lot as 1 tablespoon of meals per day. 

These birds benefit from collection of their diets, so experiment with meals like sprouts, leafy greens, berries, and even peppers. Birds can’t determine up on “spicy scorching” flavors as individuals do, so numerous them benefit from selecting apart spicy peppers to get on the seeds inside.

Prepare

Plum-headed parakeets are very vigorous birds throughout the wild. In captivity, these birds might want to have an prepare and play house. These birds should be allowed a minimal of three to 4 hours outdoor the cage every single day, in a safe, bird-proofed play house. Always supervise this free interval to cease accidents and accidents. This prepare and interaction time is crucial for preserving a plum-headed parakeet healthful and properly socialized. 

The place to Undertake or Buy a Plum-Headed Parakeet

Plum-headed parakeets are a typical pet, and orphaned birds may be on the market, so confirm with rescue organizations and pet adoption companies. Some aviary pet retailers might promote this chook, although potential householders will further in all probability wish to hunt out a breeder. 

Pricing for this chook ranges from $400 to $700. Should you occur to’re going the breeder route, make it doable for the breeder is revered by asking them how prolonged they’ve been breeding the species. Assure that your chook is alert, vigorous, and divulges the entire indicators of a healthful chook, resembling vibrant eyes, clear feathers, and a full crop.

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

• Hookbills for Sale
• Birds Now
• Undertake a Pet

Additional Pet Chook Species and Further Evaluation

If the plum-headed parakeet pursuits you, moreover take into consideration these birds:

In some other case, check out all of our completely different small parrot species profiles.