Bluewinged parrotlet
The Blue-winged Parrotlet was in 1824 described by Spix as Psittaculus xanthopterygius (Later Forpus xanthopterygius). In 1945 Hellmayr published that the specimen in question was in fact a juvenile Canary-winged parakeet (Brotogeris v. chiriri), so according to the accepted nomenclature it was given the name Forpus crassirostris by Taczanowski. This name was erroneously written into the literature as Forpus xanthopterygius crassirostris. By Gyldenstolpe it was in 1945 once again referred to as Forpus xanthopterygius. Even though this was both wrong and unexplained (maybe unfamiliar with the work of Hellmayr) it was by Spix written into the literature. In 1978 the Brazilian Olivério Pinto in his work Novo catálogo das aves do Brasil mentioned the mistake that had been made. Due to the fact that his work was hardly accessible the Blue-winged Parrotlet did not get its real name before 1978 by Stotz et. al. The former nominate-form (F. x. xanthopterygius) is now known as Forpus crassirostris vividus (Ridgway 1888) Dr. R. Niemann.
The Blue-winged Parrotlet was in 1824 described by Spix as Psittaculus xanthopterygius (Later Forpus xanthopterygius). In 1945 Hellmayr published that the specimen in question was in fact a juvenile Canary-winged parakeet (Brotogeris v. chiriri), so according to the accepted nomenclature it was given the name Forpus crassirostris by Taczanowski. This name was erroneously written into the literature as Forpus xanthopterygius crassirostris. By Gyldenstolpe it was in 1945 once again referred to as Forpus xanthopterygius. Even though this was both wrong and unexplained (maybe unfamiliar with the work of Hellmayr) it was by Spix written into the literature. In 1978 the Brazilian Olivério Pinto in his work Novo catálogo das aves do Brasil mentioned the mistake that had been made. Due to the fact that his work was hardly accessible the Blue-winged Parrotlet did not get its real name before 1978 by Stotz et. al. The former nominate-form (F. x. xanthopterygius) is now known as Forpus crassirostris vividus (Ridgway 1888) Dr. R. Niemann.
Personality
These small parrots often have a feisty, courageous nature that belies their tiny size. They are most closely related to the Amazon species, and many people refer to them as "Amazons in pint-sized bodies" because of their often fearless nature. They are bold, playful, clownish, fearless and determined.
Parrotlets frequently learn to talk. They have limited talking ability, but with patience and practice, can learn to say several words, short phrases, and many sounds and whistles. Their voices are small in proportion to their size and sometimes it is hard to recognize words. Their natural sounds are very pleasant chirps. The lack of noise makes them ideal for apartment or condominium dwellers.
Parrotlets , the smallest parrots in the world, are little birds with short wedge-shaped tails and large beaks for their size. Most species are less than five inches long and weigh less than 30 grams. They are relatively new to the pet trade, and a sure attention grabber. Everyone who sees one wants to know, "What kind of bird is that?"
Most parrotlets are primarily green. Patches of yellow, gray and blue identify the species, subspecies and sex. A healthy parrotlet will be alert, have shiny feathers, a clean vent and clean feet. Parrotlets can live up to 20 years.
Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, which means the sex of the bird can be determined by looking at it. In the commonly available species, males have a varying amount of vivid or deep blue on their rumps and also have shades of vivid blue on primary and secondary wing feathers. The females always lack the blue markings on the wings.
There are many beautiful mutations of Pacific parrotlets. These include blue, dark blue, yellow, cinnamon, fallow, lutino, albino, white, dark green and blue-fallow. Although these birds are lovely, it is important to remind customers that a mutation parrotlet may not be as hardy and may have a shorter fife span than a normal green parrotlet.
Parrotlets come from the same regions as larger parrots such as macaws, Amazons, conures and Pionus. Their range spreads from the arid tropical zone of western Mexico, along the West Coast just below Baja, Calif., to the southern most parts of Brazil and from the east to west coasts of South America. They inhabit Trinidad and have been introduced to the Netherlands Antilles and the West Indies
Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, which means the sex of the bird can be determined by looking at it. In the commonly available species, males have a varying amount of vivid or deep blue on their rumps and also have shades of vivid blue on primary and secondary wing feathers. The females always lack the blue markings on the wings.
There are many beautiful mutations of Pacific parrotlets. These include blue, dark blue, yellow, cinnamon, fallow, lutino, albino, white, dark green and blue-fallow. Although these birds are lovely, it is important to remind customers that a mutation parrotlet may not be as hardy and may have a shorter fife span than a normal green parrotlet.
Parrotlets come from the same regions as larger parrots such as macaws, Amazons, conures and Pionus. Their range spreads from the arid tropical zone of western Mexico, along the West Coast just below Baja, Calif., to the southern most parts of Brazil and from the east to west coasts of South America. They inhabit Trinidad and have been introduced to the Netherlands Antilles and the West Indies
Be prepared to offer your parrotlet many types of foods on a daily basis.
Vegetables
Fruits
Grains & Breads (includes cereal without sugar)
Animal protein
Dairy: including eggs (mixes can be purchased for use during molts: Protein 24, Petamine)
Seed (staple that can stay in the cage all day without spoiling)
Treats
Size, color, and presentation mean a lot to these tiny parrots. If you attempt to give your bird a whole carrot, don't be surprised if they are afraid of it solely on its size.
Vegetables
Fruits
Grains & Breads (includes cereal without sugar)
Animal protein
Dairy: including eggs (mixes can be purchased for use during molts: Protein 24, Petamine)
Seed (staple that can stay in the cage all day without spoiling)
Treats
Size, color, and presentation mean a lot to these tiny parrots. If you attempt to give your bird a whole carrot, don't be surprised if they are afraid of it solely on its size.
The same goes for a strawberry, although this may be due to the color red - which some parrotlets intensely dislike. Take the time to cook or finely chop/cut daily offerings. You can prepare a week or more worth of food at one time if stored properly.
Just as would make sure you or your child receives food from all the pyramid groups, so should your thinking be for your parrotlet.
Examples include:
Just as would make sure you or your child receives food from all the pyramid groups, so should your thinking be for your parrotlet.
Examples include:
-fresh broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, green peppers
toast, dry or slightly moistened cereal, ProGrow Cajun bread
cooked rice, pasta, cous cous
cooked (well done) chicken or turkey
eggs: hard boiled or scrambled (no salt)
orange slices or pieces of rind, apples, berries, bananas or banana peels
cornbread: with or without added fruits or vegetables
prepackaged cook or soak mixes: Crazy Corn, Beak Appetit
Note: when cooking food you can add lots of spices, but do not add salt or sugar.
toast, dry or slightly moistened cereal, ProGrow Cajun bread
cooked rice, pasta, cous cous
cooked (well done) chicken or turkey
eggs: hard boiled or scrambled (no salt)
orange slices or pieces of rind, apples, berries, bananas or banana peels
cornbread: with or without added fruits or vegetables
prepackaged cook or soak mixes: Crazy Corn, Beak Appetit
Note: when cooking food you can add lots of spices, but do not add salt or sugar.
f you purchase grocery store brand bean, rice, or pasta packages with separate seasoning mixes included, discard the packet and add your own spices without the salt. Vegetables added to rice or pasta, with some seed included, will be a favorite of your bird. Experiment with the foods your bird will eat, but never give up on trying new food. Persistence pays off eventually.
Specific bird seed/food and treats that are favorites:
Cockatiel (pacific) or parakeet-sized (green-rumped) bird seed mixes
gourmet blend seed mixes (small hookbill)
ProGrow Cajun bread mix
Protein 25 (before and during molts, before and during breeding especially when the parents are feeding their young)
pine cone treats (small)
Beak Appetit (6 flavors, some are instant mixes, fruit and vegetable varieties)
Crazy Corn
Kitchen Creations
Goldenfeast products (dried fruit and vegetables, can be served as is or added into cooked foods)
Pellets - plain and fruit flavored (Roudybush, Zupreem, Kaytee)
millet
Be observant of pet store block treats. Some stores may have older treats that have turned hard. Try to squeeze the product through the plastic to test for freshness if it does not have an expiration date. Always check the expiration date of bags of seeds and look for bugs. Spider webs or clumping in the bags also indicate the presence of bugs. Do not purchase seed or any mix from an open bin. Always buy fresh food for your bird.
Be sure to let the bag come to room temperature before opening and using. Turn the bag during the thawing process.
Specific bird seed/food and treats that are favorites:
Cockatiel (pacific) or parakeet-sized (green-rumped) bird seed mixes
gourmet blend seed mixes (small hookbill)
ProGrow Cajun bread mix
Protein 25 (before and during molts, before and during breeding especially when the parents are feeding their young)
pine cone treats (small)
Beak Appetit (6 flavors, some are instant mixes, fruit and vegetable varieties)
Crazy Corn
Kitchen Creations
Goldenfeast products (dried fruit and vegetables, can be served as is or added into cooked foods)
Pellets - plain and fruit flavored (Roudybush, Zupreem, Kaytee)
millet
Be observant of pet store block treats. Some stores may have older treats that have turned hard. Try to squeeze the product through the plastic to test for freshness if it does not have an expiration date. Always check the expiration date of bags of seeds and look for bugs. Spider webs or clumping in the bags also indicate the presence of bugs. Do not purchase seed or any mix from an open bin. Always buy fresh food for your bird.
Be sure to let the bag come to room temperature before opening and using. Turn the bag during the thawing process.
If you open and reseal a bag before it has come to room temperature, you risk the formation of fungus on the seed which could kill your bird.
Always take proper precautions in storing fresh or frozen food items. Never serve old food --- only keep a few days supply of precooked food in the refrigerator. Avoid salts and sugars as much as possible.
Always take proper precautions in storing fresh or frozen food items. Never serve old food --- only keep a few days supply of precooked food in the refrigerator. Avoid salts and sugars as much as possible.
