Splendid Grass Parakeet

Scientific Name: Noephema splendida

Origin: Australia

This parakeet is peaceful and tolerant even during the breeding season and may safely be housed with Bourke's Parakeet and/or the cockatiel, although it is keener to breed if kept on its own. It is much sought for its beautiful colors.

Description:

Size: 23 cm (9 in)

COCK:

Head: Deep blue. Upperparts: green. Stomach: yellow. Chest: red. Wings: green With blue and black feathers. Tail: green with black and yellow feathers. Eyes: brown. Legs: blackish-brown. Beak: black.

HEN:

No blue on head or red on chest. Under-side: olive green, and brown above.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Plain canary seed, mixed millets, sunflower seed and oats form the basic diet. Green food and apple are appreciated. Grit and cuttlefish bone must always he available.

A spacious aviary with a dry, frost-proof shelter should be provided, with protection from harsh winds.

Breeding:

Large boxes, slightly deeper than those liked by budgerigars, should be placed in the quarters. Pairs are usually quite eager to go to nest.

A clutch of eggs may number up to seven. The incubation period is 19 days and both parents share in sitting and rearing. When the young fledge they resemble the hen. Young cock birds smut sprout a few red feathers around the base of the neck and some blue on the head. Two rounds of eggs per breeding season are acceptable.

Splendid Grass Parakeet Information

• Though rarely found in USA mutations or other sub-species of the bird can be found in various parts of the world. The bird can be available in various colors including pastel, cinnamon, sea green, fallow, lutino, albino, pied, silver, blue, white breasted blue and red billed forms. Although the species of birds of the above mentioned colors are expensive but the brilliance of colored plumage of these birds are of not match with the original bird breed.
• The specie is hardy and can be ideal for novice bird breeders. The bird thrives well under a considerable range of temperature. But it gets affected under prolonged season of dampness.
• The bird is peaceful in nature and can be kept with other peaceful birds in an aviary. Though the male birds become bit aggressive and territorial in nature but their fights are nothing fatal as such.
• The birds are devoid of the ability to talk.
• The size of the aviary where the birds would be kept must be spacious and roomy. The birds enjoy great deal of flying in large aviaries.
• The bird is perfect as a pet for those who are not tolerant towards nosy birds. The male bird can not sing but is able to produce sounds that are melodious to hear.
• You may provide nest boxes of size 12 x 10inches to help the pair to build their nesting place. The female is generally a tight sitter while the male may not be an active participant for incubation.