Plum Headed Parakeet

Scientific Name: Psittacula cyanocephala

Origin: India and Sri Lanka

This species may be housed with some of the larger seedeaters, such as cardinals and other gentle natured parrot like types, such as the Cockatiel. This species is hardy and remains outside all year round, if a frost-proof shelter is provided.

Description:

Size: 36 cm (14 in)

COCK:

Head: rose pink. Throat and neck ring: black. Upper parts: green. Breast: yellowish-green. Shoulder patch: dark red. Wings and tail show some blue and yellow feathers. Beak: orange-red. Legs: grey.

HEN:

Similar, but her head is blue-grey, her beak yellow and her body does not have the red shoulder patches.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Plain canary seed, mixed millets, sunflower seed, peanuts and a little hemp form the basic diet. This bird enjoys apple and plenty of green food. Grit and cuttlefish hone must always he provided.

Breeding:

Since young cock birds resemble adult hens, it is hest to purchase a fully mature pair when hoping to breed.

Pairs usually breed best in separate accommodation but can be bred in a mixed aviary, if it is fairly large.

Nest boxes should be slightly larger in size than the normal budgerigar box, although some Plum-Head pairs use this size. Boxes should be hung fairly high with space left on top to allow the bird to sit and guard the nest. Nesting material should consist of sawdust and wood shavings. This should be provided in the base of the boxes.

Four to six eggs are laid which the hen incubates alone. She does not leave the nest until the eggs have hatched and the chicks are ten days old. The cock bird feeds the hen and chicks from the time the eggs are laid. Hard-boiled egg, soaked bread, ants' eggs, mealworms and soaked and sprouted seeds should be supplied. Plum-Heads are shy breeders and abandon their nests if disturbed.

Plum Headed Parakeet Information

• The bird is native to countries like India, Sri Lanka, Western part of Pakistan and Nepal.
• While in captive the bird is to be given fresh food and water on a regular basis. The birds can be given food items like seeds, fruits, leaf buds, nuts, blooms and such. You can also offer your little birdie with commercial pellets and vegetables. They love to devour nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans. Even food ideal for human beings like cooked chicken, beans, rice and other grains can be given to the bird. Sometimes an occasional serve of millet sprays may add taste to its diet.
• Arrange for a proper cage which is quite roomy and comfortable. The bird is highly sensitive towards freezing temperatures.
• The plum headed parakeet is an extremely social bird. It stays with other bird species with harmony. Only in the breeding season they can turn out to be aggressive like all other members of the parakeet family.
• Flying and chewing are very common in parakeets. So, you have to provide them with spacious homes along with toys, wood chew and swinging perches for the bird.