Besides canaries, parakeets are the favorite birds to have at home as pets, thanks to their sociable and fun temperament; since they are animals that can sing and even imitate people’s voices. They are originally from Australia and today they have conquered the homes of the world.
They are known as Australian parakeets, as they are native birds to Australia. They are generally nomadic and live in large groups that often move in search of water and trees to inhabit. They are currently commercially bred in different parts of the world to meet global demand.
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General Aspects of Parakeets
They are small birds with an average weight of 35 g and a size of 17 cm. They are very sociable and in addition to canaries, it is one of the most popular birds thanks to its cheerful character and its ease of domestication.
They have 4 toes on each of their legs, 2 forwards and 2 backward; which favors the grip on the branches. They also have striking plumage with bright colors, with yellow, green, and blue being the most attractive. Similarly, black and white stripes stand out on his head, and his eyes are on each side.
Likewise, they are intelligent animals; they can learn to speak and imitate human voices with due training and perseverance. Therefore, the sounds of parakeets are one of the most fascinating characteristics of these birds.
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Types according to plumage
The types of parakeets can be classified according to the coloration of their plumage. Although in the wild and originally green in color, these birds have evolved and developed other attractive colors through mutations. For this reason, among the best known, we have the blue parakeet and the yellow parakeet.
However, there are also other colors such as dark green, gray or mauve, yellow face, and cinnamon. In addition, we have parakeets that have lost the pigmentation of their plumage, they are albino parakeets that have red eyes and a characteristic intense white color.
Similarly, the lutine color is a mutation in green parakeets, resulting in intense yellow plumage. While the harlequin color, they are the parakeets with depigmented areas of the body.
How long does a parakeet live?
Different factors could determine the life expectancy of parakeets, such as their genetic variety or the habitat in which they live. For example, the English parakeet could live 5 to 10 years, a shorter life than its Australian counterparts.
Australian specimens can live up to 15 years in captivity and 4 to 6 years in the wild. This is because in the wild they are very susceptible to attack by predators and disease. Another factor that can reduce the life expectancy of these birds is the number of times they have young, which could cause stress and loss of their feathers.
If you are interested in how to tell the age of a parakeet, the answer is to look at the feathers on its head and eyes. The characteristics of a young parakeet are a striped crown that reaches the beak and the eyes are totally black. On the other hand, an adult parakeet has a striped crown away from the beak and the eyes have a light gray or brown colored iris.
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Considerations For your Successful Life in Captivity
Regarding their life in captivity, if these birds attract your attention, you should first consider offering them a comfortable place where they can feel safe. This can be solved by buying cages for parakeetThereere is more than one cage for the bird the market ds that could cover with the characteristics of size and accessories necessary for them.
You should also take into account that these are sociable birds that prefer to live in company with the same species, so it is advisable to acquire pairs of parakeets; one parakeet for each male would be a good option.
Another relevant aspect is choosing the right place in the cage for parakeets inside the home. In this sense, you must put it in a place where they do not feel abandoned or alone; Therefore, it is best to put it in a crowded place, where the parakeet or parakeets interact with the family and listen to the noises in the house. Likewise, you should avoid putting it near the kitchen tools not inhale vapors or fumes.
You should not overlook the importance of incorporating distraction elements into the cage so that the bird can play and feel at ease. Therefore, among the care of parakeets, in addition to their feeder and water trough, you should add accessories such as natural wood sticks, a bathtub, a limestone to sharpen their beak, sand specially designed for birds, ropes, wicker balls, and nests.
Also, keep in mind how parakeets sleep and remember to cover the cage with a sheet and place it in the dark so they can rest. Otherwise, they will be active all night playing, which could cause damage to their health.
Not Just Birdseed
When we don’t know what parakeets eat, the first thing we usually put on their plate is birdseed. Although it is a nutritious and convenient food for its size, these birds also enjoy other foods and seeds.
In this context, the best food for parakeets and their food base could be the seeds of millet, birdseed, wheat, and oats. Similarly, you can also feed them vegetables such as lettuce, chard, spinach, and carrots. The apple and the banana are also fruits that they love and that provide them with nutrients.
On the other hand, in case a parakeet reaches your hands newborn or with a few days of life, you should feed it with a syringe and with baby food during the first 3 weeks of life. Hence the name of papillons or hand-reared parakeets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parakeet
How long do parakeets live?
Can parakeets talk?
What do parakeets eat?
How much do parakeets cost?
How to take care of a parakeet?
How to train a parakeet?
Can parakeets eat bananas?
How to tell if a parakeet is male or female?
How to clip a parakeet’s wings?
Are parakeets good pets?
Can parakeets eat grapes?
Can parakeets eat strawberries?
How do parakeets sleep?
Can parakeets eat apples?
Can parakeets eat watermelon?
Can parakeets eat oranges?
Where to buy a parakeet?
Can parakeets eat blueberries?
Can parakeets see in the dark?
Can parakeets eat popcorn?
Do parakeets drink water?
How to know if your parakeet is pregnant?
Why do parakeets stand on one leg?
Do parakeets attract mice?
Do parakeets sleep during the day?
How to potty train a parakeet?
Why is my parakeet rubbing his head on the perch?
Can finches and parakeets live in the same cage?
Do parakeets sneeze?
What can cause a parakeet to die?
How much water do parakeets drink?
What toys do parakeets like to play with?
