Red Rump Parakeet

Scientific Name: Psephotiis haematonotus

Origin: Australia

This is one of the most popular species of Australian parakeets, because it is hardy and simple to feed, and therefore easy to keep. Breeding results are normally good. However, take great care when attempting to keep this specie with other birds, as it can be very spiteful. If in doubt, keep a pair alone. In any case, it is best to have only one pair in a mixed collection.

Description:

Size: 28 cm (11 in)

COCK:

Body: varying shades of green. Stomach: yellow. Wings: edged with dark blue. Rump: red. Beak: black. Legs: grey.

HEN:

Does not have the red rump and is less distinctive in color. Beak: grey.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Plain canary seed, mixed millets, sun-flower, hemp (if available), groats and oats form the basic diet. This specie enjoys green food and loves apple. Grit and cuttlefish bone must always be available.

A spacious aviary is required with a dry, frost and damp proof shelter for bad weather. Plenty of wing exercise is important.

Breeding:

For those fanciers inexperienced in breeding birds, the Red-humped Parakeet is a good choice, as pairs require the minimum of supervision. A pair nests very readily if a large nest box is provided. Rotting wood should be placed in the base to a depth of 10 cm (4 in). A normal clutch of eggs numbers between four and seven. The incubation period is 21 days with the hen sitting alone. The parents rear their young with very few additions to the normal diet, but try to provide soaked and sprouted seeds. The young fledge in one month and may be left with the parents for a further two or three weeks until the hen begins another round. They should be removed at the first sign of this, or the cock may attack the fledglings.

Red Rump Parakeet Information

• The bird has been able to adopt well with the environments of human settlement. They are often seen in roof tops of farm houses and along with domestic hens. They are also often seen perched in roadsides.
• Even in wild the bird may interbreed with other bird species like starlings and sparrows.
• The birds are not accounted as pests as like other birds. They do not cause any damage to wheat fields. The birds are often provided by farmers with nest boxes where they can build their nests and lay eggs.
• The bird mainly feed on seeds of grass, poppies, chickweeds, millets and flaxes.
• For proper digestion you jay provide the birds with bits of charcoal and sand in the aviary.
• At night the birds split into small groups and roost in tree branches.
• The birds generally nest at tree holes or old sparrow nests or the nests of bee eating birds.
• Only the hen roosts on the eggs until all the chicks are fully fledged. In the initial stages the cock stays near the nest and safeguards it. Later, the male joins the flock but returns back to the nest at regular intervals to feed the hen and the chicks.