So, you’re looking at different bird breeds to adopt and are wondering if parrotlets specifically make good pets? We’ll give you all the details in this article!
You may already be a parrot lover and simply want to know more about this adorable breed. Regardless of whether you are a newbie or a veteran to owning birds, read on to know more about parrotlets and whether or not they make good pets!
The simple answer to the burning question is that yes, they do make good pets, excellent even! As the smallest member of the parrot family, they more than make up for their size with their big personalities.
Parrotlets are generally friendly and quite the fun addition to the family, and as long as they are properly cared for, they can be very loving pets. It is no wonder that they are often referred to as big birds in small bodies, since their personalities are quite bold.
Parrotlets are also quite intelligent and can be taught tricks pretty easily, including the ability to talk!
Two of the most common parrotlet species are the green rumped parrotlet and the Pacific parrotlet. They also originate from Mexico and Central and South America.
Below we will list everything you need to know about parrotlets, such as their behavior as pets, what you need to do to care for them, whether you should get more than one, and how much they generally cost.
1. What do parrotlets look like ?
They are small in size, ranging from five to six inches long with a stouter body shape.
The male pacific parrotlets are green with a blue streak near their eye and blue on their back and wings, while the female pacific parrotlets are fully green, and some may have a faint blue streak behind their eye.
Male green rumped parrotlets on the other hand are, as their name says, green with some blue coloring on their wings while the female green rumped parrotlets have no blue coloring whatsoever.
2. Are parrotlets friendly ?
Yes! Parrotlets can be friendly and enjoy interacting with people and other parrotlets.
It is very important that you incorporate regular handling and socialization in to each and every day with your parrotlet, as sometimes the pacific parrotlet can become aggressive if it goes on for too long without its required interaction.
The green rumped parrotlets are known to be gentler and less active than their pacific counterparts.
Any parrotlet, with enough handling and interaction, can become very affectionate with their owners. They are also known to enjoy play and have a lot of personality, while not being particularly noisy either.
One of the reasons why they are considered a great bird for newbies is that they are relatively quiet and are an excellent option for people that live in an apartment building.
Parrotlets are also known to be quite the intelligent bird and can be taught to repeat words and simple phrases, however, they are not really talkative in general.
3. Parrotlet care
They enjoy playing, and despite them being on the smaller side, need a lot more space. It is generally recommended that you get them a larger cage and provide them with a lot of toys to keep them mentally stimulated.
Parrotlets love to chew on things so make sure to have a lot of shreddable toys made out of natural materials, such as rope or soft wood, at your disposal. They also really enjoy swings and places to perch on.
They often need their own separate space away from any other birds. Parrotlets can quickly become territorial, even with their own mates, so it is for the best that you provide them with a larger cage so that they can have their own space.
They need daily handling, such as playing with them, hand feeding them, or even teaching them a trick or two is all important to maintain the parrotlet’s good attitude.
It is also recommended that you keep them in a busy area in your home so that they can be in the middle of anything that is happening, just make sure that that area is not the kitchen as the fumes can be toxic to them.
4. What do parrotlets eat ?
Their diet should primarily consist of pellet foods, but similarly to parrots they do enjoy their fresh fruits and veggies, just make sure that both are finely chopped to an appropriate size.
They also need a source of calcium like a cuttlebone as well as a fresh water dish so that they can drink and bathe.
A great way to socialize a parrotlet is by hand feeding it!
5. Should you get more than one parrotlet?
Majority of people get parrotlets, and birds in general, in pairs with the purpose of giving them a companion, but because of the parrotlets’ friendly and rather playful nature, they do tend to bond closely with their companion.
In the wild, a parrotlet will develop a life long bond with their chosen mate. It is important to know that if they have a companion, they are more likely to bond more closely with it rather than their owner and this could in turn affect their interaction with you.
However, if you do not have enough time to interact daily with your parrotlet then it is for the best that you give them a companion to ensure that their regular interaction need is met.
6. How do parrotlets get along with other animals?
They are known to do well in pairs; however, this is not necessarily the case when paired with other species of birds as they can get pretty territorial. Even if you get a pair of parrotlets it is still a better option to keep them in separate cages.
Their big personalities makes them largely unaware of their small size and they will attempt to attack other pets, like dogs or cats for example, if they feel threatened by them.
7. Parrotlets training
Parrotlets are fairly easy to train. They can be taught to speak basic words and short phrases and can learn commands, including their own name. How neat is that?
Additionally, they can learn basic tricks like hanging from your finger etc. It is generally recommended that you start to train your parrotlet as soon as possible and keep their training playful and fun while you’re at it.
8. Are parrotlets expensive ?
The green rumped parrotlet and pacific parrotlet are two of the most common species and are pretty easy to find at local pet stores. They are quite reasonably priced as well. Their prices can range anywhere from 150 $ to 350 $
However, there are many other species of parrotlet that are generally harder to find, such as the Mexican parrotlet, the blue winged parrotlet, the yellow faced parrotlet, and the tiny spectacled parrotlet.
Conclusion
Parrotlets are a playful species, that is also quiet in nature, and small in size making them a great option for new bird owners. If they are handled regularly, along with being treated well, they can be quite the loving bird.
So long as their owners can free up some time of the day to spend with their parrotlets, they make great companions.
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