Click to Skip Ahead
Pacific parrotlets are intelligent and charming small birds. They are the smallest of the parrot family and have gained popularity over the years for their unique character traits. They suit many households with families because they hardly make any noise.
Although they do require a certain amount of space for their play activities, most people in small living areas can keep parrotlets. Also, their communication prowess extends to the point that they can utter quite a few words. Overall, parrotlets make good pets, and their playful nature makes them ideal for any family.
Species Overview
| Common Names: | Pocket parrot, Pacific parrotlet, celestial parrotlet, Lesson’s parrotlet |
| Scientific Name: | Forpus coelestis |
| Adult Size: | 4–4.8 inches (10–12 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–1.2 oz (31–34 grams) |
| Life Expectancy: | 25–30 years |
Origin and History
Pacific parrotlets are popular, and you can get them in Central and South America. However, they are most widespread in Peru and Ecuador, as they inhabit tropical forests. Their size is the reason that they are known as pocket parrots.
In the wild, you will see them in flocks of 100. They spend most of their day in trees foraging for fruits and seeds. Although it has been a while since they were bred in captivity, they lead the list of birds kept as pets.
The Pacific parrotlet is small compared to many other species. Some grow larger than others, so you might mistake them for their cousins, Amazon parrots. This is because they are quite similar, especially in how they look and their temperament.
Temperament
These parrotlets may be small, but they behave like they are large and in charge and will demand your full-time attention.
- Pacific parrotlets are amazingly intelligent and trainable. If you are patient enough, you can teach them tricks, and they will learn. Some can also talk if you teach them.
- The parrotlets are lovely and compassionate and they don’t hide that fact. If you take them in when they’re young, tame them, and feed them well, they will give you all their love.
- If you train the Pacific parrotlet well, they are obedient. They can even be playful when they feel comfortable.
- Parrotlets are small, so they are prone to danger. In addition, they tend to expose themselves with their vocalizations, which can be fatal in homes with aggressive cats and dogs.
- If you don’t keep them busy, they can get destructive.
- At times, they get temperamental.
Speech & Vocalizations
The parrotlets are soft-spoken. When they talk, it sounds like they are whispering. Basically, their voice is not as loud as that of their larger counterparts, though they can utter up to 15 words. However, they tend to chirp and screech since it’s their nature to be vocal.
Pacific Parrotlet Colors and Markings
This bird’s normal coloration is mostly green. This is rare to find, though. Pacific parrotlets tend to come in many color mutations, such as lutino, blue, fallow yellow, fallow, pastel, cinnamon, white, and albino.
- Blue: Light powder blue to turquoise body with dark eyes; males have dark cobalt markings
- Albino: White with visible red eyes
- Lutino: Bright yellow feathers with red eyes; males have white-blue markings
- White: White body with grey along the edges of the feathers
- Fallow: Bright yellow feathers with beige and green; the face is bright yellow with red eyes
- Cinnamon/Isabelle: Light yellow body with beige and green, then fallow; the eyes are deep ruby red
- Fallow yellow: Bright yellow body with red eyes; males have blue markings
- Pastel: More green than American yellow; males have blue markings and dark eyes
Caring for the Pacific Parrotlet
This parrotlet requires good maintenance tips to keep them happy and free from injuries. Here are several ways of caring for your Pacific Parrotlet.
Activity
They are small but require space. Opt for a cage size that is around 18 inches square. Ensure that they have significant bar spacing, ranging from ½ to 5/8 inches.
Parrotlets are destructive if left on their own. You may find them chewing things, nipping people, and exhibiting other mutilating behaviors. Use toys to keep them entertained and distracted.
Supervision
These are small birds, but getting in an accident and having injuries is easy. So, whenever they are out and not in the cage, make sure you supervise them. You can train them to stay on a stand, and if they try to leave, put them back.
Grooming
They require grooming several times a year. Concentrate on the wings, beaks, and toenails. The primary wings need trimming to restrict flying. The trimming or filing of the beak should be done by a professional. The toenails are supposed to be filed using an emery board. If you notice any bleeding, stop the filing and see a vet.
Handling
These birds require proper handling because they rarely get along with other birds. They boss them around and become aggressive and domineering, especially during feeding time. Most of the time, they engage in fights. Since Pacific parrotlets act fearless, they don’t back down when they start a fight. Instead, they will keep going, which can be dangerous if the fights are with bigger pets.
Mating
This bird can live peacefully with their mating partner. They remain faithful to them, and they raise their chicks together. The only time they leave their partner is when they cannot reproduce. Then, they may go get another partner.
Common Health Problems
Parrotlets hardly ever get serious illnesses, but you can’t rule out the possibility, even if they’re in captivity. Always be on the lookout so you can detect issues early.
- Parrot fever
- Psittacine beak and feather disease
- Polyomavirus
- Parrot Fever: Parrot fever is caused by Chlamydia bacteria and affects hookbills. It needs to be treated early because it is contagious. Signs to look out for are eye infections, loose droppings, or difficulty breathing. Antibiotics given by the vet can treat the birds.
- Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease: It’s a severe disease and can cause severe damage to your parrotlets. In most cases, it affects parrotlets under 2 years, though it is not a guarantee. Birds lose feathers, have abnormal feather development, growths, abnormalities of the beaks, etc. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for psittacine disease.
- Polyomavirus: This is a fatal disorder affecting juveniles in most cases. Failure to detect polyomavirus early can cause severe damage to parrotlets. Signs to look out for are loss of appetite, diarrhea, paralysis, and an engorged abdomen. Note that there are birds that you can’t detect are sick because they are carriers. Polyomavirus is not treatable, and if in severe stages, it causes death.
Diet and Nutrition
Parrotlets are always eating. They have a huge appetite, so it is essential to keep food at their disposal all the time. Their diet consists of fruits, seeds, nuts, and cactus. There is a theory that they also feed on small insects, though it is not verified.
You can feed them dry seeds and mix them with safflower. Oats, buckwheat, and sunflower seeds are also good. In addition, you can give them spray millets, pellets, green leaves like lettuce, chickweed, seeding grasses, and Swiss chard.
For the young ones, you can supplement their meals for better growth. For example, you can serve boiled eggs, cheese, carrots, or whole-grain bread. Also, add fruits like apples or bananas for more nutritious benefits.
Egg-laying birds should be given calcium-rich foods. An example is a cuttlebone, which is a good source of calcium. Their diet must be 50% standard parrotlet diet, and the rest should be a balance of other foods.
Exercise
Parrotlets are active, so they need a lot of play. Buy them playing toys and they will entertain themselves. Be creative and introduce other playing materials. For example, beads, bells, or swings tend to make them intrigued.
Give them colored and shiny things to arouse their curiosity. Once in a while, you can place a branch in the cage for them to chew and climb. To enhance their hunting skills, incorporate safe challenges by creating foraging opportunities. For example, you can use wood like cherry, willow, or ash, etc.
Allow them to get out of their cages once in a while. This enables them to stretch their wings and exercise their leg muscles. Once you combine that with their play, they will be physically fit and mentally stable.
Where to Adopt or Buy Pacific Parrotlets
You can adopt or buy Pacific parrotlets from reputable online websites. There are also bird or parrot rescue centers that allow you to adopt parrotlets. The staff there can give you a lot of tips on the care of these animals. They keep various types of bird species, so you can be sure to get good ones from them.
Alternatively, you can search for bird breeders on the internet or find exotic bird clubs and aviculture societies. These are helpful when searching for a reputable local breeder.
Conclusion
Parrotlets are amazing birds to keep as pets. They are not noisy as their counterparts, so they are even ideal for people living in apartments.
Once you master how to keep them busy, they will live happily. Parrotlets can live up to 30 years in captivity if kept well and protected from dangers, since they hardly get sick.
Featured Image Credit: analogicus, Pixabay
