Identification of Male Pacific Parrotlet

Dear Sandee, My name is Judy, and I am from Wisconsin. I am asking for your help and expertise. I lost my beloved little parrotlet last Sunday. He had been my trusted and faithful companion for the past nine years. He succumed to an accident, and I am absolutely heart broken. He was an exceptional bird with a big personality and heart. My life will not be the same without him. I had been to a local pet store to pick up seed for our cockatiels nine years ago when I first spotted my little Beaker in a fish tank. He looked so tiny and lost. When I approached, he followed me everywhere. When taken out of the tank, he immediately climbed on my shoulder and stole my heart. It was love at first sight, and he came home with me that day. I am looking to purchase another little bird to love. I have enjoyed your book on parrotlets and wonder if youl have birds for sale at this time. Also, I am confused about the sex of my little Beaker. Beaker was a green celestial parrotlet that the store sold to us as a male. He was olive green with a very faint small area of turquoise blue just behind the eyes but not on the head. His face and underside were lighter with a slight yellow wash. His back side and head almost seemed to have a very light grayish wash. He had absolutely no blue on or under his wings, He did have cobalt blue with indigo highlights on the back rump when you moved his wing feathers. His primary feathers had no blue and from the underside were grayish. The underside coverlets were emerald green. He was a little smaller and shorter than my daughter's green female parrotlet. She is more pear shaped (seems wider below the chest extending into pelvic area). Beaker was sleek all the way. However, when he puffed up, his chest appeared wider. We have pictures that we have posted, and are getting conflicting responses as to Beaker's sex. I have been told that some male green celestial parrotlets do not have blue on their wings. Is this true? Other say that evidence of a cobalt indigo rump, even though no blue was on the wings, is still indicative of a male. We have also been told that both male and female celestial can have the cobalt-indigo rump, The only way to differentiate the male from the female is by the absence of blue on the wings. I did look at Beaker's wings after he died. There was no significant blue anywhere on his primary top and underside feathers. The coverlets on the under side were emerald green but only one tiny feather among the coverlets above the first primary feather on each wing had a faint turquoise wash--but only one little father in the underside coverlet of each wing. Is that significant? Now, I am totally confused at to Beaker's sex. I would greatly appreciate your expert advice and am hoping that you have that little bird that we are so desperately are looking to adopt into our loving home. Thank you, in advance, for you help. Judy Dear Judy: I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your bird. It is always so heartbreaking to lose these little guys. Nine years is a long time for a parrotlet to live these days and I am sure that every day with you was filled with kindness, love and happiness for your little guy. I hope you can find comfort in that. I do not breed parrotlets any longer as more than 30 years of hand-feeding parrotlets has given me terrible arthritis in my thumb so I can no longer depress a syringe and feed them. The male Pacific parrotlet is one of the easiest birds to visually sex. Even in color mutations including the albino, the dark cobalt blue on the wings, rumps, backs and streaks behind the eyes are always distinctive and easily observed. In albinos, this coloring can be seen when the bird is placed under a UV light where the color is striking and vibrant. There is no mistaking a male Pacific. Unfortunately, anyone with a keyboard, an opinion and Photoshop can be an expert when it comes to being on the Internet. Now, females from the subspecies of Pacific known as ‘lucida’ often have blue on their rumps, backs and streaks behind the eyes but rarely on the wings. Even if they do, it is always much fainter than the blue on males. This is often the case where people think they have a male because the rump is dark blue but the wings are green; again the bird is not male at all but a female lucida. Unfortunately, hardly ANYONE who has parrotlets these days ever saw a single wild-caught parrotlet. I raised wild-caughts for 15 years before they were no longer allowed to be imported. As someone who saw them come directly out of quarantine (plus we had NO color mutations in the US at the time) ALL male Pacifics have dark blue rumps, wings, backs and eye streaks. If any of those parts of not blue, the bird is a hen. If you are still confused you are welcome to send me a picture. I can identify your bird in an instant. Sincerely yours, Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S. The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest. Camaroonian Phrase

Parrotlet Breeder Referrals, Talking Ability, Small Children

This is Danielle lookin for a awesome breeder for my new baby ..i live in Indiana n have a 4yr old son looking for a sweet n cuddly pretty blue with lots of personality n being able to b taught to talk is important too. Dear Danielle: Here are the names of reputable breeders that I can recommend. I have no idea what they have available but they are honest, knowledgeable and will work with you to get you the bird you want. However, I must caution you that parrotlets are not birds that are known for the talking ability. While quite a few learn to talk, there are no guarantees that ANY bird will learn to talk including the world’s best talking parrots such as Amazons or African greys. I always tell people to buy a bird that is well-socialized and a good pet. IF you can teach it to talk, so much the better but please never buy any parrot with the expectation it will learn to talk unless its already learned to talk when you purchase it. Also, it is very important for the safety of the bird that anytime it is out with your child, you are supervising their interaction. A 4 year old is very young and can easily injure or kill a parrotlet quite by accident. This is not only horrible for the bird but it could traumatize your child. It takes only a second for an accident to happen so its imperative that the bird never be out with the child unless an adult is present. Good luck and be sure and tell them I gave you the referral. Hope this helps. Sincerely yours, Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S. The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest. Camaroonian Phrase

Chronic Egg-Laying in Female Pacific Parrotlet

Hi Sandee, I sent you an email before Christmas respecting my female parrotlet, Skye. She has now laid her fourth clutch since September 2011. She has laid a total of 19 infertile eggs! I have an appointment with the vet on Thursday, and she is going to administer Luperon in order to try to shut down the egg laying process. But, I do have a concern. Skye has started laying another clutch and laid her first egg yesterday morning. She usually lays 5 eggs. I’m afraid that if she gets an injection there may be an egg forming in her body and, Skye may become egg bound. Should I delay the hormone shot until she has finished laying all her eggs? I did everything you suggested in your previous email. But I think I may be the problem. Skye thinks I am her mate and absolutely loves me. I love to kiss her little head. Should I stop handling her? Thanks for your help. It is sincerely appreciated. By the way, will there be a parrot show in Victoria this year? Kind regards, Sylvia Dear Sylvia: Thank you for your email. I can’t answer your question because I have never had a bird get Lupron shots. I would make sure you do all the research you can but in all actuality, no one knows what the answer is. Unfortunately, most avian medicine (and certainly Lupron administration is right up there) is more of an art than a science and most of the time, they really don’t know what the outcome is going to be. If you read my article on Lupron, even vets that are pro-Lupron admit it is at best a ‘bandaide’ and not something that can be reasonably relied upon to manage the issues for which it is usually prescribed. However, 19 eggs is a lot and I would certainly, under these circumstances, give the shot if everything I had tried (reducing daylight hours to less than 10, removing all nest-like structures and providing extra calcium in her diet) didn’t work. I would ask your question of your vet – I would think it might be a problem but again I’m not a vet nor do I have any experience using Lupron in my birds. As for bonding, bonding isn’t what makes birds lay eggs. All birds think their owners are their ‘mates’. Kissing the bird on the head I wouldn’t think would stimulate egg laying at all. Generally, in large birds such as Amazons, petting them on their backs can trigger a hormonal response but I have no idea in parrotlets. After all, they may be parrots but they are all different species. I will say that in 30 years, this is only the 3rd or 4th parrotlet I’ve ever heard of that couldn’t be managed with environmental changes to stop egg laying. It simply is not a common problem in parrotlets. I know that doesn’t make it easier for you but I am a honest breeder and don’t make up things or rely on what I’ve read online and repeat it. If I don’t have experience with something, I say so and this is a very unusual problem in parrotlets. As for a bird ‘show’ not sure what you mean. I don’t believe the Parrot Symposium is going on this year, haven’t heard anything about it. As for bird shows, i.e., sanction competitions, I haven’t heard anything and as for bird marts, those things go on all the time. I’m sure if you look online, you can find one. Best of luck and let me know how it turns out. 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 will keep you posted. Have a wonderful weekend. Sylvia Thanks. Yes, please let me know. 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 Sandee, Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to answer my questions. The vet also said that the underlying problem has to be resolved, as Lupron may not resolve the problem. I decided to forego the Lupron until Skye has finished her clutch. She has now laid two eggs. Thank you for advising me that this is an unusual problem because I have never owned a female parrotlet before. I have all boys (3). I got Skye from a rescue organization in Vancouver and the rescuer told me that the girl gave up Skye because she didn’t have time for her. I did email the rescuer and tell her about Skye’s egg laying problem, but she didn’t respond. I’m starting to think she knew Skye had a problem laying eggs. I feel so sorry for this little bird because I know that it is very stressful for her when she is laying an egg. I ensure she has lots of calcium on her food and water. Thank you for being honest with me. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, if she doesn’t stop laying the eggs. I will try restricting the light situation for more hours. I will make the bottom of her cage uncomfortable for her, as I have paper towels on the bottom right now. Last time, I had a little hut in her cage and she laid eggs in it. That has now gone. I’m glad that kissing her head is ok because I love this little bird. She is so sweet. Yes, I was referring to the Parrot Symposium. I hope the Parrot Symposium comes back again. I will let you know what transpires with Skye. Many thanks again for your kindness. I have the highest respect for you as a breeder. Kind regards, Sylvia Thank you Sylvia for your very kind words. Best of luck. Please keep me posted. 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 Hello Sandee, I hope you, your family and little parrolets are all keeping well. I would like to give you an update on Skye, my female rescue parrotlet, who was laying unfertile eggs non-stop. Skye finished laying another clutch of 6 eggs in March. I took her to a vet for a check-up, and he recommended the Luperon shot, if I wanted it. He also told me that the parrotlets are up and coming prolific egg layers! He gave me various suggestions (same as you suggested), in order to help her stop laying eggs. I decided to forgo the Luperon shot. I remember you telling me that these little birds are hardwired, and it is best to leave the eggs; so that is what I did. Skye has been sitting on the eggs since March. She even pecked two eggs, in order to make small holes (interesting). I took all the eggs away, except two, three weeks ago. She is finally fed up with sitting on the eggs and is now interacting with me, grooming herself and sleeping on her highest perch (thank goodness). I am still leaving the two eggs in the bottom of the cage just in case. She is such an intelligent little bird and very loving. Thanks again for your advice; I thought you would like to know the outcome of the chronic egg laying. Best, Sylvia Thanks so much Sylvia for letting me know. Glad to have been of help! 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

Questions on Pair Feeding Chicks

Sandee, I have a pair of green pacific parrotlets. They have 3 newly hatched young, about 4 days old. In checking on the young over the past few days, their crops have been full. Yesterday I noticed that the male was in the nest box. I didn’t see him out of the nest box yesterday and he is still in there today, huddled over the hen. The babies’ crops look empty. It has been extremely hot in our house and I have kept fans going but the house has been over 80 degrees during the day but it did cool off yesterday. Should I intervene? Maybe give the hen some electrolytes? Take the male out of the box? Handfeed the babies? I have handfed before but not such tiny ones. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kathy B. Dear Kathleen: Its best to leave them alone. The more you disturb them and that means looking at them, the more likely they are to abandon the nest or even kill the chicks. This is especially true in a first clutch. They are nervous and inexperienced but your interference will bring up their predator/prey reaction and they will most likely just abandon the chicks. I know we humans like to think that we things go better when we are involved, but that isn’t true when it comes to raising parrotlets. Handling the chicks or the parents will almost certainly result in them abandoning or killing the offspring. That is how they survive in Nature. Better to abandon the nest if it is disturbed than get eaten by a predator. Eating offspring will give the parents the energy needed to lay another clutch. I know this seems barbaric to humans but that’s why they are animals. Nature guides them by instincts that have evolved over millions of years and keeping them in our homes, doesn’t change that. They are still very much wild animals that react on instinct – they are not domesticated like cockatiels or budgies to accept human interference. Also, with a first clutch you do not want to stress them out and have them possibly never be good parents. As for the heat, these birds originate near the equator – unless its over 100 degrees I sincerely doubt they will be affected by it. Remember, sometimes the hardest thing to do, is nothing. Best of luck. 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

Pacific or Green Rump?

Hello,
I was wondering if a Pacific Parrotlet can be just as nice and gentle as a Green Rumped? Or if a Green Rumped will like to come out of it's cage and be with me just as much as a Pacific would. I am having a hard time deciding on which type and not really sure of the real differences in temperment. Is it true the Green Rumped won't nip? And how can you tell if it is a good baby or not in temperment? Or is that not possible...
Thank you,
Apryl


Dear Apryl:

Thank you for your email. All birds are individuals and you cannot determine an individual bird’s personality or pet quality based solely on its species or even sex. A bird’s individual personality, how it was imprinted (socialized and handled as a young chick) and the training it receives from its owner are the biggest determining factors in how a bird is going to behave. Pacific parrotlets are the most popular pet parrotlets in the world. There are literally tens of thousands of them kept as pets and that includes being owned by children, older adults and the handicapped. Green Rumps, like all birds (or all animals for that matter) certainly DO bite any anyone who claims otherwise clearly doesn’t know what they are talking about. Parrotlets are not domesticated animals like puppies or even cockatiels or budgies and they will not act in their normal manner around strangers. This is a survival instinct ingrained in them by Nature in order to help them survive. Therefore, the judgment about which particular bird is right for you is best left to the breeder, which is why it is SO important to find one that a) has enough experience to be able to judge a parrotlet’s personality and b) is honest enough to match each bird’s personality with the appropriate owner.

Best of luck and I hope this helps!

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

Green Rump Pairs

Hello Sandee,

I recently lost my conure at 18 years old. This is the first time in my life I haven’t had a bird and we really miss the presence of a feathered friend. I am contemplating a pair of green rump parrotlets. Is it true they are the gentlest of the parrotlets? If I got them at a young age, would they continue to be close with each other? I knew someone who had a pair of Pacifics and the female decapitated the male so I just want to make sure that doesn’t happen. Also, do you have youngsters from different lines just in case they did breed at some point? It’s not a goal of mine (finding homes is a chore), but certainly a concern that any offspring would be healthy.

Thank you in advance,
Tiffany

Dear Tiffany:

Thank you so much for your email. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your conure.

There is a big misconception about Green Rumps that they are ‘sweeter’ or ‘more gentle’ than Pacifics and that just isn’t true. They are very timid, very shy birds and many people misinterpret that shyness as being sweet or that they make better pets. Also, as a lifelong bird owner, I’m sure you must be aware that all birds – just like people – are individuals and while one can make generalizations about certain characteristics, the bottom line is that how a bird is imprinted, socialized and trained is a much better indicator of how a bird is going to behave as a pet. That being said, I do have to state that I am not taking reservations for Green Rumps anymore since my waiting list is more than a year long.

As for two birds staying close, that really isn’t something that happens with parrotlets. Parrotlets are either pets or breeders, not both. This is probably what happened with your friend’s Pacifics. You have two healthy adult well-fed birds of the opposite sex kept in a cage together and if they are not set up for breeding, then hormones get out of control and mate killing can happen. I also know that just because the bird was ‘decapitated’ it does not mean that the hen did it. If the dead bird’s feet were chewed up and there is blood all over the cage and perches, then the hen is the culprit. If not, the bird died of something else and the hen mutilated the body. Parrotlets often cannibalize a dead bird – this is an instinct that helps them survive in the wild, both to keep predators away and to consume energy. It’s not pretty but Mother Nature rarely is. It’s what has helped the species survive for millennia in very harsh conditions. In captivity, this instinct is not necessary and is one that often is very upsetting to owners but there are ways to prevent it. Pet parrotlets are best kept as single birds unless they are kept in separate cages. One bird will often become dominant over the other and ‘share’ is not a word in the parrotlet vocabulary. The dominant bird will keep the other from eating, perching, playing, etc., and while they may preen one another or sit next to each other on a perch (again, survival instincts but not ‘love’ or ‘affection’ as many people think) then injury or death can occur. That is why I always recommend that pet parrotlets be kept in separate cages.

I have bred parrotlets for almost 30 years and have written 3 books on them as well as give seminars on parrotlet care around the world. I have always sold unrelated birds to people regardless of whether or not they intend to breed them. I learned a long time ago that instinct is what governs birds so make sure that any pairs sold are unrelated, whether the birds are going to be pets or breeders.

Hope this helps!

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

Female Parrotlet Odor

Can anyone tell me if female parrotlets have a distinct odor? I have a 2 year old female that emits a skunk like odor. Is this common?

Thank you.

Parrotlets, like all parrots do give off a musty order. In females it can be more pronounced if her hormones are in flux, she is breeding or during a molt. However, it is not a strong odor per se but some people are more sensitive to it. It is a genetic thing in people not something that has to do with the bird.

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
Secretary International Parrotlet Society

Dilute/Yellow Pacifics, Color Mutation Nomenclature

Was just wondering why the American yellows were renamed dilute? I can't believe how much has change with these birds in the last few years.

Matt

No problem Matt. The name was changed to dilute years ago – at least 5 years ago or probably longer. The reason? The bird isn’t yellow. Genetically, it is a dilute not a yellow and since the probably is that eventually we will have a true yellow, the name was changed. One only has to look at “American white” also not a genetic white and the name was changed to the correct term of dilute-blue. We now actually have a dark-eyed white so it was prudent to get the name corrected before the white was produced.

A lot of people have the misconception that just because there is a new color mutation in a bird like a parrotlet that it can be named whatever people want to name it. Not true. There are nomenclature standards that are accepted by the world-wide scientific community for the genetics of color mutations in birds. These are based on scientific and biological interpretations and follow the guidelines established for other birds. Hence a blue ringneck is the same genetically as a blue parrotlet as a blue Amazon as a blue budgie and so on.

Hope this helps and have a great weekend!

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com

Pacific Parrotlet/Yellow Face Hybrids

Hi Sandee,

What a pleasure to "meet" you today! I am forwarding the pictures of my two hens, Lauper and Abby, Abby being the one I believe to be hybrid. I hope these are good enough but I can take new ones if need better pics.

I await your feedback and guidance. Again, many thanks for taking the time to help, it is greatly appreciated!

Kind Regards,

Didi

Thank you for the pictures. In my opinion, they are both hybrids between Pacifics and Yellow Face. Abby is probably about 90% Pacific; I’d say that Lauper has more YF – but is also a hybrid. I’d say probably 50%-60% Pacific. Hope this helps!

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com

WOW!!!

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I am disappointed but grateful for the information. I guess I should stop thinking about breeding them, even Lauper, if she's not yellow faced, the whole point of me breeding them was to try to help the conservation efforts of these little guys!

May I pick your brain as to what made you see the pacific in her? I know I am but a novice, and to my untrained eye, she looked like a full yellow faced, but haha, I've only ever seen them in pictures in your book and on the web! If you could guide me in what you saw that led you to conclude she was hybrid, I can be more discriminating if I try again.

Since you mentioned the virtual impossibility of getting full 100% yellow faced here in the US, would you suggest I try to get them from Peru or Europe instead? How hard would it be to do this? I read the plight of Henry (how saaad!!!) but I am wondering if there have bee nany changes since you wrote it in 2006... any laws changed yet or who do I have to harass?? (haha!)

On another note, I am also very interested in the Lucida Pacific, but seem to have a hard time finding 100% full that have not been crossed. In your article you mentioned that you had started the Lucida breeding with birds caught in the wild, I was wondering if you still had availability of these? I would love to be able to conserve these.

Thanks for taking me under your wing, so to speak!! : )

Kind regards,

Didi

Dear Didi:

Unfortunately, there are many species of parrotlets in the US which are pretty much genetically dead – Yellow Face are certainly one since they were never imported in large numbers. Mexicans are almost gone since they were difficult to breed in the first place. Blue Wings are also on that list – most people finding them difficult to breed and they were considered too nervous and flighty to be good pets so after almost 20 years of non-importation, these species are pretty much gone from US aviculture. Fortunately, there are tons of them in Europe and Asia so even if Americans can’t breed them, the species’ will survive. Also none of these parrotlets are highly endangered in the wild.

I don’t know how I can explain to you the differences in a YF/Pacific hybrid since you have never seen a pure YF. Its kind of like describing a Catalina macaw (blue & gold hybridized with a scarlet) if you have never seen a blue and gold macaw. Mainly its size – YF are much larger than Pacifics about the size of a PF lovebird, the structure – YF weigh about 30 grams or more than Pacifics, placement of color – the yellow is supposed to go from the crown of the forehead around the entire face including cheeks and chin, down the throat, the entire chest, belly and all the way to the tail and it is a pure deep yellow and not that washed out greenish yellow. It is a deep, deep bright yellow. Finally, the beak doesn’t have enough black on the upper mandible nor is it dark enough. The entire upper mandible should be dark black. So while there is YF in both birds, one is at least 3 generations of hybridizing with Pacifics, the other could have had one Pacific and one YF parent although I doubt it. It probably is 2 generations of hybridizing with Pacifics.

As for the lucida subspecies of the Pacific, these birds have been bred interchangeably since people first started breeding Pacifics and certainly since the WBCA ban in 1992. With the introduction of color mutations, they are all but gone although unlike the YF, they are not hybrids. They are called ‘generics’ because they are still Pacifics but have a commingled subspecies.

Sorry. I appreciate your offer but you cannot change the law. There are exceptions to it if you are a zoo, a US&FW approved foreign breeding facility or a breeding cooperative sponsored by a non-profit (which is what IPS tried to do but was unable due to people refusing to cooperate and the fact that the most of the birds were either hybrids or had TB or both). But the WBCA was written in accordance with the parameters set up by CITES (Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species) which the US is a signatory. They were written to protect species from becoming extinct in the wild. More and more countries are passing laws to prevent the sale of wild caught birds – the EU passed their own version several years ago. The only species of parrotlets that can be legally imported are visual color mutations of the Pacific parrotlet. Ironically, it is because of this exception that we have lost most of the other species from American aviculture as people dumped the rarer species in order to make more money when the new colors were imported.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.

Male or Female Parrotlet As a Pet

Hello my name is Meg and I have been trying to get some info or advice on whether to get a male or a female parrotlet. I can't find the answer online so I wondered if you might help. My worry is that the male will get aggressive when he gets to the stage where he wants to mate, I had a female parrotlet for a few days before I gave her to a friend and her personality was wonderful, but now I am feeling conflicted because my breeders newest clutch has 2 blue males and 1 blue female so far and we don't know what the 4th baby is yet. I read online that males can tend to be a little more outgoing and nippy and females are a little more down to earth. Since you are a breeder what do you think? I think I should listen to my gut about getting a female I am just worried that I will only have the one female to pick and wonder if I should consider one of the males if I like its personality. I am just worried about later down the road. Any response would be appreciated.

Dear Meg:

Thank you for your email. It is important to remember that just like with people, dogs or any other living creature all animals are individuals and no one can really predict what kind of personality any particular animal is going to have just based on things like species or sex. Parrotlets are not domesticated birds like parakeets or cockatiels and therefore still rely predominantly on their natural, wild instincts rather than having been bred to accommodate human tolerances. Parrotlet personalities are based primarily on the bird’s own individual personality – some birds naturally prefer other birds and others will accept human companionship – and imprinting. Imprinting is the process where wild characteristics are overshadowed by imprinting desired behaviors. Many people call this ‘socializing’ or ‘bonding’ but really it is simply acclimating the bird to overcome its natural instincts such as escaping from humans to enjoying being around and accepting human contact. As someone who has bred parrotlets exclusively for almost 30 years I can tell you that the way was raised, handled and socialized by the breeder is a much greater indication of how a bird is going to be as a pet as opposed to sex or species.



That being said, both males and females can and do have issues with hormones as well as natural metabolic processes – again, it is about their basic instincts for survival in the wild and not because they have been programmed for captivity by selective breeding. Males and females can be territorial, particularly with regard to their cages – this is very natural behavior for all species and genders of parrotlets. Same with certain times of the year where things like molting happens. Again, both sexes have the ability to become aggressive and nippy. Indeed, all birds can become nippy based on a variety of reasons - I always tell people if you really want to get a bird that won’t nip or bite, get a canary and never take it out of the cage. Otherwise, just like with dogs or any other animal, its personality largely depends on the bird itself, how it was raised and socialized and how it was trained by the owner.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com

Parrotlet Aggression & Territorialism, Interaction With Other Birds

Ms. Sandee,

On June 29, 2010, I purchase a blue male parrotlet (now named Jasper) at a Florida bird fair. He was born April 1, 2010. He has shown no signs of aggression. The only exception to this is his cage. Jasper must be out for me to put my hand in his cage to change or add something; otherwise he comes charging. My Green Cheek, Sydney, is also cage possesive.so this is nothing new. The exception to this aggression is coming out of his cage. Jasper then hops right on my hand ready to go. He also lets me rub his head some.
I respect his wishes if he does't want me to.

I also have a very gentle 5 yr old cockateil and a 1 yr old.mischievous but sweet Green Cheek Conure. I have all 3 birds out of their cages all the time and on me with no problems. I have been doing this since the quarantine was over. We do this everyday since I spend a lot of time with my birds.

There have been a few non serious swipes a couple of times among the three but nothing with intent to harm & no harm done. I immediately separate, discourage, scold, and stress not to get in the other's area. If I see one heading toward another's area, I immediately run interference. I might have one bird on one shoulder, another on my collar or neck, and one on the other shoulder or my head. Each is to stay in their own area. They also play on the table, bed or their cage tops with me supervising at all times.

I have recently read a few things that worry me concerning aggression in the parrotlet. My son warned me just today. His friend knew a parrolet that tore the beak off another larger bird. I do not want to be foolish and have someone hurt. Yet, Jasper has shown no aggression toward my establish flock.. I would appreciate it very much if you could please take the time to advise me. Thank you.

Betty

Dear Betty:

Thank you for your email. Your parrotlet’s behavior is very normal for a Pacific parrotlet. Almost all parrotlets are very territorial and aggressive around their cage. That is why it is so important to teach them the “Step Up” command as soon as possible so you can remove them from the cage before you have to service it.

Parrotlets are not domesticated birds like your cockatiel but are still very much wild and are guided by instinct. They are also not ‘flocking’ type birds like your conure. Parrotlets have a well-deserved reputation for not getting along with other birds. This is largely due to the fact that they originate in a very dry, desert-like region in which they have to compete for everything – food, shelter, nesting spots, etc. They are also very tiny and easily preyed upon by everything from reptiles to other birds; even spiders are bigger than they are so nature has designed them to be tough and aggressive in order to survive. These instincts do not change just because they are hatched in captivity and kept as pets.

However, unlike this story of a parrotlet biting off the beak of another larger bird, which, I have to admit after almost 30 years of breeding parrotlets, I find very difficult to believe, it is generally the parrotlet that is injured or killed when they attack another bird. A larger bird such as a conure can easily injure or kill a parrotlet in one bite should the parrotlet exhibit aggressive behavior. Indeed, lovebirds, which are not much bigger than parrotlets, often maim or kill parrotlets so both your cockatiel and your conure are a danger to the parrotlet rather than the other way around. It is because of the danger to themselves that I recommend species’ separation. They should never been kept in the same cage as other birds and should always have their wings kept clipped and only allowed interaction with other birds on a strictly supervised basis. Personally, I would never take the chance and would simply keep the parrotlet in its own space such as a basket or playpen and not allow it to have physical access to birds that exhibit more flocking behavior like conures and cockatiels both of which are much more social birds and do live very harmoniously with mixed collections. Parrotlets are just not built that way and for everyone’s safety should be kept physically separated. It isn’t hard to do – just keep everyone’s wings’ clipped and make sure the parrotlet has his own space to play and be active on.

I hope this helps!

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com

Personalty Differences, Noise Factor, Shipping, Waiting List

Hi Sandee,

I am interested in a hand-fed male parrotlet.

I've read that Pacifics tend to be more feisty/stubborn with the exception of the blue mutation. I've also read that Green Rumped and Spectacled are also more mellow than Pacifics in general. Could you compare/contrast the temperament (in general of course, I understand each individual bird is different) of blue Pacifics, Green Rumped and Spectacled please? In addition, how do the noise level and tame-ness compare across all three?

I understand you have a waiting list right now - could I ask how long it is? Last but not least, what is the cost of shipping?

Thanks,
Joseph

Dear Joseph:

You are right in that when it comes to parrotlets that all birds are individuals and that it’s more nurture than nature when it comes to personality. These birds are not domesticated animals like dogs and cats or even budgies or cockatiels – species that have had hundreds of generations to domesticate them and have their personalities become more predictable. Parrotlets are still very much wild creatures acting on instinct rather than ‘designed’ by humans through selective breeding. Therefore, “imprinting”, the process by which wild instincts are over-come by socialization and human interaction, is much more important than species.

I always tell people parrotlets are not like breeds of dogs where a poodle has a much more different personality than a pit bull but are more like standard poodle vs. a miniature poodle vs. a teacup poodle. That being said, generally speaking, Pacifics tend to be more outgoing and bold. Green Rumps tend to be much more timid and shy and Spectacles, are somewhere in the middle. Outgoing but not so stubborn as Pacifics but not timid like Green Rumps. I don’t really see much personality differences in the mutations although generally speaking people consider them ‘less aggressive” although I don’t believe that is a correct assumption. Pacifics do not originate in the rainforest or jungle but come from a very dry almost desert–like region where they not only have to compete for food and nesting space but are preyed upon by everything from reptiles to other birds. I believe that since Nature weeds out the mutations because they are a genetic anomaly they do not develop a survival instinct like normal Pacifics. People misinterpret this lack of a survival instinct as ‘sweetness”. Same thing with the Green Rumps and Spectacles that come from regions that are lush and tropical and there are plenty of places to nest and find food. Again, these are generalizations not hard and fast rules. I have seen very aggressive Green Rumps and very sweet and gentle Pacifics. Also, Pacifics are the most popular pet parrotlet in the world and are owned by small children, the elderly and people with disabilities. It really depends on the individual bird’s personality, how it was raised and socialized and dealing with a breeder that will honestly evaluate their birds and match them with the prospective owner’s desires for a pet.

As far as ‘noise’ factor is concerned, that is even more nebulous. I always say that noise is in the ear of the beholder. All species of parrotlets tend to be ‘quieter’ as far as volume level from other hookbills. Indeed, canaries and budgies are louder volume wise. However, parrotlets chirp and chatter and tend to chirp and chatter all day long. Some people find this pleasant and appealing, others do not. I know I have a problem with the location calls of male cockatiels and would rather listen to a macaw screaming at full volume but again, that’s my individual preference. Other people are different. I always recommend that people go listen to a parrotlet before they purchase it as only you can determine if you are annoyed by their calls.

I always have a waiting list and right now it will probably be at least 4 months before I would have birds available depending on what you want. I spent the last 2 years caring for my mother who died of cancer and have only recently set my birds up. The Pacifics are breeding but again my list is at least 4 months out. The Spectacles will take longer and it would probably be 6 months or so and the Green Rumps have shown no sign of any interest in breeding so I’m not even taking names for those. I work on a first-come, first-served basis and do not take deposits. If you are on my list, about a month before the bird is weaned, I will contact you. If you want it, great, we will make arrangements. If not, I just move on down my list. Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee I will have a bird available by the time you want it as I have no control over the birds’ breeding nor whether or not a bird will make a good pet. If it isn’t pet material, I will not sell it as a pet.

Shipping depends on the airlines but generally runs about $100 plus I charge a $50 refundable deposit on the cage and carrier.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com

IPS Bands, Color Mutation Terms

Hi Sandee, I'm Pam from Nebraska. An amateur, hobby breeder. I was wondering if you still offer colored bands for Pacific parrotlets? Other than silver? I now have a second hen laying on eggs, (the fathers are brothers from the same clutch) and I would like to have a different color to distinguish between the two. If so, how much? Also, how do you interpret green split to blue, or double split? Is that describing the father first, then the mother? What is double split, or triple split? Thank You Pam

Dear Pam:

Thank you for your email.

I'm assuming that when you said 'you' regarding the bands you meant the International Parrotlet Society. IPS does offer other colors of bands - blue, green, red, black, its just silver is the easiest to read for most people so that is the 'default' color but you're welcome to use another color of you wish. It is the same price as the other bands; there is no additional charge.

Recessive mutations have nothing do with sex; those are sex-linked mutations and we only have one of those, so far, in parrotlets. They are called 'palid' and those have not been imported into the US at this time.

Recessive mutations are very simple - either parent can pass on the color gene but both parents need the same color to produce visual offspring. The term 'split' refers to a bird that carries a color gene but looks like a normal bird. So a blue split would be a green bird that carries the blue gene. A double split is a bird that carries two color genes. True triple splits are rare but its possible to have a bird split to three colors such as dilute, blue and fallow. Double and triple splits can be visual i.e., such as a blue bird carrying a dilute gene but it can also be a green bird that carries blue and dilute.

I have a lot of information on my website at http://www.parrotletranch.com/mutbasics.html on breeding mutations including terms and basic inheritance modes. Most people find it very helpful.

Hope this helps!

Recessive, Dominant & Sex Linked Color Mutations

Hi:

I have a question and if you have the time to answer I'll be glad to know your reply.

Are the parrotlets male have dominant genes like the cockatiels?

For example:

An albino cockatiel can produce albino babies and it don't matter the female mutation color. But an albino female cockatiel can't produce albino unless you pair her with an albino or split to albino male.

My question is because I have a green parotlet split to blue male (I think that is split to blue because both of his parents are green split to blue) and I want to buy him a mate that can produce blue or yellow.

Thank You,
Sheila

Thank you for your email Sheila. I have a page on my website at http://www.parrotletranch.com/mutbasics.html that I think you will find very helpful in understanding parrotlet mutations. First, remember that unlike cockatiels, there are several species of parrotlets and the one that has the most color mutations in the US are Pacifics. Also, all but one, dominant pied, is recessive. None are sex-linked as the only sex-linked mutation, the palid, to my knowledge, has not been imported. This includes lutino which is sex-linked in almost all other birds including cockatiels. Albino in Pacifics is not a true genetic albino but a combination of blue and lutino.

If you think of inheritance modes instead of colors, you should have absolutely no problems. After all, recessive in parrotlets is the same as all other birds including cockatiels, budgies, lovebirds and even chickens.

Hope this helps.

Housing Retired Pairs Together

I have a few older pairs of Parrotlets I want to retire from breeding. I have a large outside flight that is 8' X 20' X 8' tall. Can I release them in it together. They have been faithful parents and want them to retire happy. Thanks for your help,


Thank you for your email. It has not been my experience that more than one pair of parrotlets (male and female) should be housed together and that includes birds that may be too old to breed, especially Pacifics, which I assume these are. Green Rumps or Spectacles maybe but not Pacifics. They are too aggressive and territorial and that instinct does not fade with age or time. I had tried to house retired pairs together in large flights although I confess they are not as large as the ones you are proposing – mine were 6’ tall, 6’ wide and 10’ long and were planted and I still had aggression problems. The most dominant pair attacked and bullied the others and no matter how many feeding stations, perches, enrichment items, plants and other things I placed in the flight, nothing stopped their instinct to drive away the ‘intruders’. This is very reflective of their behavior in the wild so I would doubt having a larger flight would make it safer. However, they are your birds and you certainly can do whatever you want to with them but my almost 30 years experience has proved that the instinct that made them such good parents, probably does not diminish when it comes to setting up territory and defending it from others. If you do decide to put them together I would love to know how it works out for you.

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.