Grass Parakeet

Origin: South and West Australia

The Elegant Grass Parakeet may be kept safely with other birds, except during the breeding season when it is wiser to house it alone, unless in a large aviary.

Description:

Size: 23 cm (9 in)

Body: live green. Forehead: Its head have a deep cobalt-blue band, edged with light blue. Wings: exhibit these same two shades on their edges. Throat and chest: greenish-yellow. Belly: yellow. Beak: charcoal grey. Legs: greyish-brown.

HEN:

The hen looks similar to the cock, but all the color tones are much paler so they can he sexed easily.

Diet: Seedeater

Mixed millets and plain canary seed with a small amount of sunflower and hemp seed form the basic diet. Seeding grasses, regular supplies of green food, grit and cuttlefish bone should be provided. This bird is easily managed and does not require a large flight unless kept with others for breeding. A sunny, warm aviary suits it well but some shade is necessary to prevent sun stroke. A dry, frost-proof shelter should he provided for cold weather. It is not quite as hardy as some parrot like species.

Breeding:

Place nest boxes and hollow logs in the accommodation. The Elegant Grass Parakeet requires a slightly larger nest box than a budgerigar. The cock bird's courtship display is amusing to watch as he performs a head bobbing dance accompanied by a twittering song. The hen lays four to five eggs which she incubates for 18 to 21 days. Sprouted seed should be provided for the parents to rear the brood. This is the only necessary addition to the normal seed diet. Parents even rear their young on hard seed. Chicks are ready to leave the nest in approximately 28 to 34 days. Young Elegant Grass Parakeets are very shy when they first leave the nest, so make sure there are plenty of bushes in the aviary to provide cover for the timid youngsters and they soon gain confidence.

Grass Parakeet Information

• The parakeets that are native to Australia are known as grass parakeets. They are so named because the birds spend most of their time among grasses feeding on grass seeds.
• There are a variety of breeds of parakeets that belong to the group of grass parakeets.
• The small sized grass parakeets are known as Neophemas. Neophemas include the birds like scarlet chested parakeet, turquoisine parakeet and elegant parakeet.
• The group named Neopsephotus has only one member named the Bourke parakeet.
• The Psephotus group has birds that are of medium size. The birds like red rump and the multicolored and hooded parakeets.
• The largest group of the grass parakeets is known as Platycercus. The group commonly consists of birds like the rosellas, polytelis and the princess of Wales parakeet.