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I found your website and have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the information you have provided. I have a question about my 9 week old baby female parrotlet. I have had her for three weeks now, she was shipped to me via airplane. She is very active, eats well, drinks more than any bird I have seen, has attitude and seems healthy but her droppings are very watery. There is still the fecal matter but lots of moisture as well, sometimes there is nothing solid. Would you have any advice or comments for me. I phoned vets and they said as long as she is eating and drinking she should be ok. Just concerned cause I fell in love with her on sight and don't think watery droppings are a good sign. I have held off giving her fruit and vegetables in case that is the cause. She eats cockatiel mix of birdseed, I am trying to get her onto pellets but it is a slow process.
Bev
Dear Bev:
Unfortunately, no one can diagnose your bird without examining it. I am very surprised that a vet wouldn’t know that. I wouldn’t let a doctor diagnose my medical condition over the phone and I am shocked we now have vets that are doing that.
I will tell you that only a vet can examine the bird and check it to see if this situation is normal. I certainly can’t. A sample needs to be taken at least have it checked out for parasites or fungal/bacterial infections or worse, since this bird is so young, a congenital problem especially with kidneys. I can’t see the droppings to know if they are too watery or not but I do know that a) your instincts are the best and b) if you are concerned, you need to have the bird examined. Fruits and vegetables – which should make up 60-70% of a parrotlet’s diet will make the droppings somewhat more watery but not anything that should concern you. After all, they eat produce in the wild and its part of their natural diet – pellets are not. Furthermore parrotlets are not birds that drink a lot of water since they originate in a dry, desert-like area. Most parrotlets drink no more than a tablespoon of water a day. In 30 years, the only birds I have had that drink more than that either have chicks to feed or have had kidney problems. Your bird could also have diabetes – something I am finding that is more and more common in parrotlets so if you are concerned about this bird, I would take it to a veterinarian competent in avian medicine and if you don’t know one, go to the Association of Avian Veterinarians www.aav.org and you can find a vet in your area. As for pellets, I have a page on my site about my observations and reports on birds fed primarily pelleted diets but the one thing you need to understand is if your bird has some kind of kidney issue pellets will make that worse. I would at least have the droppings checked under a microscope and also have blood checked for kidney disease and diabetes.
Best of luck and please let me know how it goes.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"Holland Blue" Pacific Parrotlet
Hello,
I am trying to find a baby parrotlet in my area so it doesn't have to be shipped. I have looked at the pictures and really think the light blue ones are very beautiful. A lady a few hours from me said that she has a baby "holland blue" parrotlet with Indigo on its wings and back. Unfortunately, she doesn't have a computer and doesn't know how to send pictures on her cell phone so she can't get a picture to me. I have tried looking it up online but nothing shows up under "holland blue" parrotlet. Do you have any idea where I could find a picture like this so I would know what he looks like before we drive four hours just to look at him? I would really appreciate any help you could give me. Here is a picture of the color of bird I am looking for: Could you tell me what color this bird is? If this is not Holland blue do you have any idea where I could find a baby parrotlet this color somewhere in Wisconsin? We live in the Wausau area but are willing to travel within Wisconsins if we find a bird.
Again, thank you so very much.
Elysheva (Elly)
Dear Elly:
Thank you for your email. There is no such bird as a ‘holland blue’. That is an internet term that was made up by someone and passed around like a virus. But it means nothing. All of the blue mutations came from Europe – mostly Belgium but also Germany, United Kingdom and Holland but it doesn’t matter since that happened more than 17 years ago and many generations have been produced in this country. Wherever their origins, they are most certainly “American-made” these days.
Blue is a mutation that has a wide range of color tones. It can run the gauntlet from a deep teal to a light powder blue. Males and females are also different (and btw ALL males except for albino have dark blue feathers on the wings, backs and rumps – that’s how you determine they are males). Males tend to have more gray especially on the back and wings. This is because the normal male parrotlets have more melanin than females. Females therefore tend to be more blue than males. I always tell people its like blond hair in humans. Some people are platinum blonds, some honey blonds, some strawberry blonds, etc., but they are still all blonds. Also, unlike humans, birds often change colors as they molt – particularly the first year. Even look at the parent birds is not going to give you an accurate picture of what the offspring are going to look like since birds are not dogs and you are not going to make exact replicas of the parents because of the factors I have already told you about.
The picture of the bird you sent is a male blue Pacific. That’s it. The only way you can be assured of buying a bird like this is for you to go out and look at them. I certainly, after more than 30 years of breeding parrotlets and having seen thousands of them as well as producing hundreds, cannot tell you where you can find a specific color of bird and promise that it will stay that way. No honest breeder can. Parrotlet mutations haven’t been bred long enough in this country for us to have uniform colors like they do with budgies, lovebirds and cockatiels. Perhaps in another 100 generations or so.
So, if color is the most important thing to you – rather than personality, pet quality or companionship factor, then only you can decide what is as ascetically pleasing to you. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So no, I can’t recommend anyone to you although I know hundreds of breeders – you will have to go physically look at every bird to see if that is what you want and then hope it doesn’t change as it grows and molts, especially if it is a male.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
Secretary, International Parrotlet Society
I am trying to find a baby parrotlet in my area so it doesn't have to be shipped. I have looked at the pictures and really think the light blue ones are very beautiful. A lady a few hours from me said that she has a baby "holland blue" parrotlet with Indigo on its wings and back. Unfortunately, she doesn't have a computer and doesn't know how to send pictures on her cell phone so she can't get a picture to me. I have tried looking it up online but nothing shows up under "holland blue" parrotlet. Do you have any idea where I could find a picture like this so I would know what he looks like before we drive four hours just to look at him? I would really appreciate any help you could give me. Here is a picture of the color of bird I am looking for: Could you tell me what color this bird is? If this is not Holland blue do you have any idea where I could find a baby parrotlet this color somewhere in Wisconsin? We live in the Wausau area but are willing to travel within Wisconsins if we find a bird.
Again, thank you so very much.
Elysheva (Elly)
Dear Elly:
Thank you for your email. There is no such bird as a ‘holland blue’. That is an internet term that was made up by someone and passed around like a virus. But it means nothing. All of the blue mutations came from Europe – mostly Belgium but also Germany, United Kingdom and Holland but it doesn’t matter since that happened more than 17 years ago and many generations have been produced in this country. Wherever their origins, they are most certainly “American-made” these days.
Blue is a mutation that has a wide range of color tones. It can run the gauntlet from a deep teal to a light powder blue. Males and females are also different (and btw ALL males except for albino have dark blue feathers on the wings, backs and rumps – that’s how you determine they are males). Males tend to have more gray especially on the back and wings. This is because the normal male parrotlets have more melanin than females. Females therefore tend to be more blue than males. I always tell people its like blond hair in humans. Some people are platinum blonds, some honey blonds, some strawberry blonds, etc., but they are still all blonds. Also, unlike humans, birds often change colors as they molt – particularly the first year. Even look at the parent birds is not going to give you an accurate picture of what the offspring are going to look like since birds are not dogs and you are not going to make exact replicas of the parents because of the factors I have already told you about.
The picture of the bird you sent is a male blue Pacific. That’s it. The only way you can be assured of buying a bird like this is for you to go out and look at them. I certainly, after more than 30 years of breeding parrotlets and having seen thousands of them as well as producing hundreds, cannot tell you where you can find a specific color of bird and promise that it will stay that way. No honest breeder can. Parrotlet mutations haven’t been bred long enough in this country for us to have uniform colors like they do with budgies, lovebirds and cockatiels. Perhaps in another 100 generations or so.
So, if color is the most important thing to you – rather than personality, pet quality or companionship factor, then only you can decide what is as ascetically pleasing to you. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So no, I can’t recommend anyone to you although I know hundreds of breeders – you will have to go physically look at every bird to see if that is what you want and then hope it doesn’t change as it grows and molts, especially if it is a male.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
Secretary, International Parrotlet Society
Monday, July 11, 2011
Breeding Lutinos Together
hi not long moved over to keeping pacific parrotlets . my question is having produced lutino babies from unrelated sources is a lutino to lutino a viable pairing or is there a promlem with rearing chicks from this pairing .would lutino to spilt for lutino be a better pairing thanks mick
Dear Michael:
Thank you for your email. As someone that has kept parrotlets for almost 30 years, I am in this for the long-haul. I have always thought about and planned for the future of the captive-bred population in the US. I don’t really care about pretty new colors but health, vigor, conformation and the vitality of the species including keeping mutations from destroying them. After all, mutations are genetically abnormal and can have very deleterious affects on captive-bred populations especially when no normal or wild-type birds can be imported with which to outcross and keep them healthy and strong. It is for that reason and the fact that color mutation parrotlets, unlike budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds which have been bred for hundreds of generations, have only been around about 15 years, I never breed two of the same visual colors together. This is certainly not enough time to breed out genetic flaws. Perhaps in a hundred years or so but even then, I would never breed two red-eyed visual birds together. Even cockatiels, budgies and lovebirds have problems when you breed red-eyed to red-eyed so, in my opinion it is not a good thing. I’ve seen birds develop cataracts, been born blind or even one woman had some birds born without any eyes at all. So no, in my opinion it is much better to breed a visual red-eyed bird, whether it is a lutino, fallow, cinnamon, etc., to a split.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Dear Michael:
Thank you for your email. As someone that has kept parrotlets for almost 30 years, I am in this for the long-haul. I have always thought about and planned for the future of the captive-bred population in the US. I don’t really care about pretty new colors but health, vigor, conformation and the vitality of the species including keeping mutations from destroying them. After all, mutations are genetically abnormal and can have very deleterious affects on captive-bred populations especially when no normal or wild-type birds can be imported with which to outcross and keep them healthy and strong. It is for that reason and the fact that color mutation parrotlets, unlike budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds which have been bred for hundreds of generations, have only been around about 15 years, I never breed two of the same visual colors together. This is certainly not enough time to breed out genetic flaws. Perhaps in a hundred years or so but even then, I would never breed two red-eyed visual birds together. Even cockatiels, budgies and lovebirds have problems when you breed red-eyed to red-eyed so, in my opinion it is not a good thing. I’ve seen birds develop cataracts, been born blind or even one woman had some birds born without any eyes at all. So no, in my opinion it is much better to breed a visual red-eyed bird, whether it is a lutino, fallow, cinnamon, etc., to a split.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
New Parrotlet Questions
Hi there,
i have just got a parrotlet for the first time, I am used to budgies but have never had a parrotlet before. I am concerned that the bird seems to eat all the time although there is a lot of uneaten seed at the bottom of the cage which he throws from his dish. I am about to introduce him to pellets and have also tried to give him a variety of fruit and vegetables, but as yet, he is not interested even although I know he ate them prior to coming to me. I will continue to offer them to him, its early days yet, I have only had him for two days!. However, I am concerned that he is always at his food bowl. I would be grateful for any advice. Thank you.
Dear Ann:
Thank you for your email. 2 days is not enough time for this bird to adjust. I have a page on my site called Bringing Home Baby and I suggest you read it as it will explain all various issues the bird is going through, what you can expect and tips for training, etc. Remember that budgies are domesticated birds and parrotlets are still very much wild. They need to adjust to you and become familiar and comfortable in the environment and that can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the bird. As for his eating habits, this how parrots behave. “Wasting’ food is how Nature designed them to be part of the eco-system in the wild. They spread seed across the environment and this is all part of the natural ecosystem. It can be frustrating to owners but such is the Nature of the beast. Also, parrotlets are very high energy birds and gram for gram eat more than macaws so again, this is very normal behavior. As far as pellets are concerned, again, I have a page on my site and a very extensive blog on the subject that explains exactly what they are, what they were intended to be used for and whether or not they really are the best nutritional value for birds. You can find it at http://www.parrotletranch.com/pellets.html or an updated version on my blog at http://parrotletblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/pellets-color-mutation-parrotlets.html
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your new bird!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
i have just got a parrotlet for the first time, I am used to budgies but have never had a parrotlet before. I am concerned that the bird seems to eat all the time although there is a lot of uneaten seed at the bottom of the cage which he throws from his dish. I am about to introduce him to pellets and have also tried to give him a variety of fruit and vegetables, but as yet, he is not interested even although I know he ate them prior to coming to me. I will continue to offer them to him, its early days yet, I have only had him for two days!. However, I am concerned that he is always at his food bowl. I would be grateful for any advice. Thank you.
Dear Ann:
Thank you for your email. 2 days is not enough time for this bird to adjust. I have a page on my site called Bringing Home Baby and I suggest you read it as it will explain all various issues the bird is going through, what you can expect and tips for training, etc. Remember that budgies are domesticated birds and parrotlets are still very much wild. They need to adjust to you and become familiar and comfortable in the environment and that can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the bird. As for his eating habits, this how parrots behave. “Wasting’ food is how Nature designed them to be part of the eco-system in the wild. They spread seed across the environment and this is all part of the natural ecosystem. It can be frustrating to owners but such is the Nature of the beast. Also, parrotlets are very high energy birds and gram for gram eat more than macaws so again, this is very normal behavior. As far as pellets are concerned, again, I have a page on my site and a very extensive blog on the subject that explains exactly what they are, what they were intended to be used for and whether or not they really are the best nutritional value for birds. You can find it at http://www.parrotletranch.com/pellets.html or an updated version on my blog at http://parrotletblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/pellets-color-mutation-parrotlets.html
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your new bird!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
New Parrotlet Question
Dear Ann:
Hi there,
i have just got a parrotlet for the first time, I am used to budgies but have never had a parrotlet before. I am concerned that the bird seems to eat all the time although there is a lot of uneaten seed at the bottom of the cage which he throws from his dish. I am about to introduce him to pellets and have also tried to give him a variety of fruit and vegetables, but as yet, he is not interested even although I know he ate them prior to coming to me. I will continue to offer them to him, its early days yet, I have only had him for two days!. However, I am concerned that he is always at his food bowl. I would be grateful for any advice. Thank you.
Thank you for your email. 2 days is not enough time for this bird to adjust. I have a page on my site called Bringing Home Baby and I suggest you read it as it will explain all various issues the bird is going through, what you can expect and tips for training, etc. Remember that budgies are domesticated birds and parrotlets are still very much wild. They need to adjust to you and become familiar and comfortable in the environment and that can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the bird. As for his eating habits, this how parrots behave. “Wasting’ food is how Nature designed them to be part of the eco-system in the wild. They spread seed across the environment and this is all part of the natural ecosystem. It can be frustrating to owners but such is the Nature of the beast. Also, parrotlets are very high energy birds and gram for gram eat more than macaws so again, this is very normal behavior. As far as pellets are concerned, again, I have a page on my site and a very extensive blog on the subject that explains exactly what they are, what they were intended to be used for and whether or not they really are the best nutritional value for birds. You can find it at http://www.parrotletranch.com/pellets.html or an updated version on my blog at http://parrotletblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/pellets-color-mutation-parrotlets.html
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your new bird!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Hi there,
i have just got a parrotlet for the first time, I am used to budgies but have never had a parrotlet before. I am concerned that the bird seems to eat all the time although there is a lot of uneaten seed at the bottom of the cage which he throws from his dish. I am about to introduce him to pellets and have also tried to give him a variety of fruit and vegetables, but as yet, he is not interested even although I know he ate them prior to coming to me. I will continue to offer them to him, its early days yet, I have only had him for two days!. However, I am concerned that he is always at his food bowl. I would be grateful for any advice. Thank you.
Thank you for your email. 2 days is not enough time for this bird to adjust. I have a page on my site called Bringing Home Baby and I suggest you read it as it will explain all various issues the bird is going through, what you can expect and tips for training, etc. Remember that budgies are domesticated birds and parrotlets are still very much wild. They need to adjust to you and become familiar and comfortable in the environment and that can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the bird. As for his eating habits, this how parrots behave. “Wasting’ food is how Nature designed them to be part of the eco-system in the wild. They spread seed across the environment and this is all part of the natural ecosystem. It can be frustrating to owners but such is the Nature of the beast. Also, parrotlets are very high energy birds and gram for gram eat more than macaws so again, this is very normal behavior. As far as pellets are concerned, again, I have a page on my site and a very extensive blog on the subject that explains exactly what they are, what they were intended to be used for and whether or not they really are the best nutritional value for birds. You can find it at http://www.parrotletranch.com/pellets.html or an updated version on my blog at http://parrotletblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/pellets-color-mutation-parrotlets.html
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your new bird!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Unwanted Breeding
Hi Sandee,
Hopefully you can offer some needed advice. I recently adopted a bonded pair of parrotlets from a rescue here in NC. The two birds (5 &6) have had several different homes over the last 5 years and I knew that I could provide a stable place for them. The day after I got them home I had an egg. That was about 10 days ago. Now I have 5. I don’t want to breed the birds and was told by the rescue to “addle” or “shake” the eggs vigorously to keep them from hatching.
Here is my dilemma: Up until yesterday only the female was exhibiting cage/food aggression, now it’s both of them. When the male is out of the cage he is good for a while then will just bite down hard for no reason. I am not reacting, just putting him down. I don’t take him out of the cage, he comes over to me. I’ve been practicing positive reinforcement but he seems to just like to test the waters. Usually it’s my fingers he goes for. He’ll just walk right over and “chomp!”
Question 1: This nesting/hormonal/aggression should end after the hen has gotten bored of sitting on the eggs, right?
Question 2: I don’t want to separate them, they’ve been together for years and sleep next to each other, preen, chat and get along fine. I don’t want to cause other problems. Help?
Question 3: Is there a good chance that this will only happen once a year? Or, even better, stop?
PS: I don’t have a happy hut, nesting box, cuddle toy, anything like it. The hen decided her food dish was a good spot. No, it wasn’t empty.
Thanks for your input,
Kim
Dear Kim:
Thank you for your email. It sounds to me like these birds are acting perfectly normal for two Pacific parrotlets that are a bonded breeding pair. Parrotlets are very territorial and aggressive especially when they are a bonded breeding pair. You have to understand that Nature designed these birds to protect themselves and their offspring from predators. Pacifics come from a very dry, desert-like area and they have to compete for food and nest sites not to mention everything preys on them including other birds. I always say parrotlets have to be tough because they come from region where spiders are bigger than they are. Just because we humans take them into our homes and ‘love’ them like feathered kids doesn’t mean they give up that instinct. They are not domesticated birds like budgies or cockatiels but are still very much wild animals. That is why offspring have to be pulled for handfeeding and imprinted upon. Otherwise they would be just as wild and unhandleable as their untamed cousins in the wild. Even if they are hand-fed and imprinted, unless they are placed in a pet home upon weaning and constantly interacted with by humans they revert to their wild natures. Again, it is how they were designed to help the species survive in very harsh conditions. Even hand-fed socialized pet parrotlets are aggressive and territorial with their cage – that behavior never changes. If these birds were pets, would act this way in defense of their territory.
Parrotlets are either pets or breeders. They are not both. They either imprint and bond with humans or with other parrotlets. These birds are half way finished with their lives and are a bonding breeding pair doing what Nature designed them to do – procreate. While anything can happen, I would be money you will never be able to tame them, never be able to handle them, never make them into pets as we humans define them. They can live perfectly happy lives breeding and producing offspring as God and Nature designed them to do. I never can understand why people think that is such a terrible thing. Had we not interfered with them, that is what they would be doing. I think its appalling a shelter would allow them to keep breeding and then kill the embryos rather than placing these birds in a breeding environment so they can do what they were supposed to do. As for your question about stopping them breeding, short of separating them, that isn’t going to happen until they are physically unable to produce.
Wish I had better news for you but to me, it really is about the birds. They can live the rest of their lives quite happily without any human interaction other than feeding and cleaning going on to produce offspring as Nature intended. The question is can you live with that. If not, I would recommend placing these birds with a breeder who can attend to their needs and make them comfortable until they are no longer able to produce chicks.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your birds.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
________________________________________
Hopefully you can offer some needed advice. I recently adopted a bonded pair of parrotlets from a rescue here in NC. The two birds (5 &6) have had several different homes over the last 5 years and I knew that I could provide a stable place for them. The day after I got them home I had an egg. That was about 10 days ago. Now I have 5. I don’t want to breed the birds and was told by the rescue to “addle” or “shake” the eggs vigorously to keep them from hatching.
Here is my dilemma: Up until yesterday only the female was exhibiting cage/food aggression, now it’s both of them. When the male is out of the cage he is good for a while then will just bite down hard for no reason. I am not reacting, just putting him down. I don’t take him out of the cage, he comes over to me. I’ve been practicing positive reinforcement but he seems to just like to test the waters. Usually it’s my fingers he goes for. He’ll just walk right over and “chomp!”
Question 1: This nesting/hormonal/aggression should end after the hen has gotten bored of sitting on the eggs, right?
Question 2: I don’t want to separate them, they’ve been together for years and sleep next to each other, preen, chat and get along fine. I don’t want to cause other problems. Help?
Question 3: Is there a good chance that this will only happen once a year? Or, even better, stop?
PS: I don’t have a happy hut, nesting box, cuddle toy, anything like it. The hen decided her food dish was a good spot. No, it wasn’t empty.
Thanks for your input,
Kim
Dear Kim:
Thank you for your email. It sounds to me like these birds are acting perfectly normal for two Pacific parrotlets that are a bonded breeding pair. Parrotlets are very territorial and aggressive especially when they are a bonded breeding pair. You have to understand that Nature designed these birds to protect themselves and their offspring from predators. Pacifics come from a very dry, desert-like area and they have to compete for food and nest sites not to mention everything preys on them including other birds. I always say parrotlets have to be tough because they come from region where spiders are bigger than they are. Just because we humans take them into our homes and ‘love’ them like feathered kids doesn’t mean they give up that instinct. They are not domesticated birds like budgies or cockatiels but are still very much wild animals. That is why offspring have to be pulled for handfeeding and imprinted upon. Otherwise they would be just as wild and unhandleable as their untamed cousins in the wild. Even if they are hand-fed and imprinted, unless they are placed in a pet home upon weaning and constantly interacted with by humans they revert to their wild natures. Again, it is how they were designed to help the species survive in very harsh conditions. Even hand-fed socialized pet parrotlets are aggressive and territorial with their cage – that behavior never changes. If these birds were pets, would act this way in defense of their territory.
Parrotlets are either pets or breeders. They are not both. They either imprint and bond with humans or with other parrotlets. These birds are half way finished with their lives and are a bonding breeding pair doing what Nature designed them to do – procreate. While anything can happen, I would be money you will never be able to tame them, never be able to handle them, never make them into pets as we humans define them. They can live perfectly happy lives breeding and producing offspring as God and Nature designed them to do. I never can understand why people think that is such a terrible thing. Had we not interfered with them, that is what they would be doing. I think its appalling a shelter would allow them to keep breeding and then kill the embryos rather than placing these birds in a breeding environment so they can do what they were supposed to do. As for your question about stopping them breeding, short of separating them, that isn’t going to happen until they are physically unable to produce.
Wish I had better news for you but to me, it really is about the birds. They can live the rest of their lives quite happily without any human interaction other than feeding and cleaning going on to produce offspring as Nature intended. The question is can you live with that. If not, I would recommend placing these birds with a breeder who can attend to their needs and make them comfortable until they are no longer able to produce chicks.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your birds.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
________________________________________
Parrotlet Foot Question
Bless your giving heart sandee
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Used to live in Santa Cruz and up in davenport with lundberg studios years ago....
Had a gallery with my wife partner .....we lost it all in the 89 ' earthquake....!
Moved to portlandia after ...
Brought up Jewish in new York...I'm 62 now...
I always say I never had a mammal pet....not common in new York when young
Always birds fish reptiles....from parakeets to macaws , greys, and a red head
tuff boy amazon
Now, in retirement i have a pacific parrotlett male.... odysius or Odie ...great bird
Any familiarity with foot leg weakness...?....not weakness but fragile
Past year took him to the local veterinarian over foot pain/damage twice..ok
Odie still limping ...holding his left foot in the air..from recent floor tumble fell.
Not broken but sore...we keep his wings clipped ....good advice always
Limiting his time outside his cage unattended ....home we are most of the time
so, when we are out in the garden..we keep him locked in his cage
He has injured his same left foot twice now from either leaping off his cage
to find us last year....or two days ago falling off barbara's shoulder and hitting
the wood floor....any advice or other parrotlett history of foot damage....?
More to tell....I will email you again
If ever in the Portland Oregon area would love to meet you...show you our Odie
and visit us here at home for a nice lunch for you
I know you are busy....thanks again for your academic work...zoo work...breeding etc
Parrotlets are amazing
Odie starting talking the first month after adopting...says good morning Odie
How ya doin....good morning o' this morning and much more
Bought from Donna at parrot perch in washinton state
From a breeder ...I believe he was a month past weaning then...
Male parrotlett energies as you have talked about....very sweet...sometimes,often a real handful
My wife says now I have my first child
Also jangling key chain and....omg...plastic bags...noise of bags just delights him
Encourages his game playing...goin' to get you... A tag game we play around the
plastic bag sound...any familiarity with that one...?
As time permits advise me as you can
Thank you so much Sandee
Mark
Dear Mark:
Thank you so much for your very kind words. I sincerely appreciate them.
Parrotlets are no more inclined to foot damage, especially from an injury than any other bird. The only condition I know of that can contribute to feet problems other than mites or bumble foot, is gout. Gout is very uncommon (as is bumble foot or mites) in parrotlets but it is possible. However, the vet can diagnose that if it is a problem. Not sure what the course of treatment is, if any in birds. I do know it is a very difficult problem to manage in people but, of course, you would need a diagnosis indicated gout.
It is possible that the bird broke or cracked the bone and it never healed correctly. This would also cause continuing problems but again, these are not unique to parrotlets. This would be possible with any bird or even any animal including humans. The only thing that is different about parrotlets is that they do not grip as tightly as other birds so if falling is a problem and the bird has a pre-existing condition that causes issues, you might want to keep the bird off your shoulder when you are walking around and engaging in physical activities. Odie can still join you when you are working or moving about, just put him in a cage or on a play gym where he can keep his balance better and doesn't have to grip as hard.
That's my best advice. Hope it helps and thank you so much for your kind offer. I will keep that in mind. I would love to meet you and your wife as well as the wonderful and talented Odie.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
I Don't do Facebook but get your web and blog on my lil' iPad
Used to live in Santa Cruz and up in davenport with lundberg studios years ago....
Had a gallery with my wife partner .....we lost it all in the 89 ' earthquake....!
Moved to portlandia after ...
Brought up Jewish in new York...I'm 62 now...
I always say I never had a mammal pet....not common in new York when young
Always birds fish reptiles....from parakeets to macaws , greys, and a red head
tuff boy amazon
Now, in retirement i have a pacific parrotlett male.... odysius or Odie ...great bird
Any familiarity with foot leg weakness...?....not weakness but fragile
Past year took him to the local veterinarian over foot pain/damage twice..ok
Odie still limping ...holding his left foot in the air..from recent floor tumble fell.
Not broken but sore...we keep his wings clipped ....good advice always
Limiting his time outside his cage unattended ....home we are most of the time
so, when we are out in the garden..we keep him locked in his cage
He has injured his same left foot twice now from either leaping off his cage
to find us last year....or two days ago falling off barbara's shoulder and hitting
the wood floor....any advice or other parrotlett history of foot damage....?
More to tell....I will email you again
If ever in the Portland Oregon area would love to meet you...show you our Odie
and visit us here at home for a nice lunch for you
I know you are busy....thanks again for your academic work...zoo work...breeding etc
Parrotlets are amazing
Odie starting talking the first month after adopting...says good morning Odie
How ya doin....good morning o' this morning and much more
Bought from Donna at parrot perch in washinton state
From a breeder ...I believe he was a month past weaning then...
Male parrotlett energies as you have talked about....very sweet...sometimes,often a real handful
My wife says now I have my first child
Also jangling key chain and....omg...plastic bags...noise of bags just delights him
Encourages his game playing...goin' to get you... A tag game we play around the
plastic bag sound...any familiarity with that one...?
As time permits advise me as you can
Thank you so much Sandee
Mark
Dear Mark:
Thank you so much for your very kind words. I sincerely appreciate them.
Parrotlets are no more inclined to foot damage, especially from an injury than any other bird. The only condition I know of that can contribute to feet problems other than mites or bumble foot, is gout. Gout is very uncommon (as is bumble foot or mites) in parrotlets but it is possible. However, the vet can diagnose that if it is a problem. Not sure what the course of treatment is, if any in birds. I do know it is a very difficult problem to manage in people but, of course, you would need a diagnosis indicated gout.
It is possible that the bird broke or cracked the bone and it never healed correctly. This would also cause continuing problems but again, these are not unique to parrotlets. This would be possible with any bird or even any animal including humans. The only thing that is different about parrotlets is that they do not grip as tightly as other birds so if falling is a problem and the bird has a pre-existing condition that causes issues, you might want to keep the bird off your shoulder when you are walking around and engaging in physical activities. Odie can still join you when you are working or moving about, just put him in a cage or on a play gym where he can keep his balance better and doesn't have to grip as hard.
That's my best advice. Hope it helps and thank you so much for your kind offer. I will keep that in mind. I would love to meet you and your wife as well as the wonderful and talented Odie.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
IPS Registered Bands
If i want to order leg band, how is my breeder code choosen?
Also do i hae to be a member of ips in order to order the bands?
Yes, you must be a member of IPS to order IPS registered bands. The breeder submits three codes in order of preference and the code is assigned based on the fact no one else has that code.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
Secretary, International Parrotlet Society
Also do i hae to be a member of ips in order to order the bands?
Yes, you must be a member of IPS to order IPS registered bands. The breeder submits three codes in order of preference and the code is assigned based on the fact no one else has that code.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
Secretary, International Parrotlet Society
Monday, July 4, 2011
Waiting List, Coloring of Blue Mutation Parrotlets
Hi there! My name is Yael and i would love to purchase a parrotlet
from u. I am looking for an affectionate, sweet, friendly and social
parrotlet preferably in the powder blue color or turquoise. Please
feel free to email me back any time. Thanks a lot!
Yael
Dear Yael:
Thank you for your email. I always have a waiting list and currently it is at least 4 months long. While I breed blues, I do not breed turquoise. Also, you should know that the blue color mutation has a huge variety of color tones ranging from light powder blue to teal to deep blue, however they are all the same mutation. I always tell people blue is like blond hair in people. There are honey blonds, platinum blonds, ash blonds, strawberry blonds, etc., but they are all blond. Same with the blues. Also, the color a bird is when it feathers out is not necessarily the color it will be when it is an adult since plumage often changes as the birds age and molt. Finally, females have a more clean coloration when it comes to mutations than males. Males often have gray or slate coloring to them especially in the blues because the amount of melanin that males have in the normal coloration. Whether you get a bird from me or not you should know this so you will not be disappointed if the color changes as it matures.
I do not take deposits and work on a first-come, first-served basis. Let me know if you would like your name placed on my reservation list.
Thank you so much!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
from u. I am looking for an affectionate, sweet, friendly and social
parrotlet preferably in the powder blue color or turquoise. Please
feel free to email me back any time. Thanks a lot!
Yael
Dear Yael:
Thank you for your email. I always have a waiting list and currently it is at least 4 months long. While I breed blues, I do not breed turquoise. Also, you should know that the blue color mutation has a huge variety of color tones ranging from light powder blue to teal to deep blue, however they are all the same mutation. I always tell people blue is like blond hair in people. There are honey blonds, platinum blonds, ash blonds, strawberry blonds, etc., but they are all blond. Same with the blues. Also, the color a bird is when it feathers out is not necessarily the color it will be when it is an adult since plumage often changes as the birds age and molt. Finally, females have a more clean coloration when it comes to mutations than males. Males often have gray or slate coloring to them especially in the blues because the amount of melanin that males have in the normal coloration. Whether you get a bird from me or not you should know this so you will not be disappointed if the color changes as it matures.
I do not take deposits and work on a first-come, first-served basis. Let me know if you would like your name placed on my reservation list.
Thank you so much!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
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