Abyssinian Parakeets

Ringneck / Long-tailed Parakeets ... Ringneck Photo Gallery

The Abyssinian Parakeet (Psittacula krameriis) is endemic to northwest Somalia, across northern Ethiopia to Sennar district, Sudan. Feral flocks consisting of imported stock are also found in the UK and the U.S. Abyssinian Parakeets prefer tropical habitats and generally live in areas that are lightly forested.

These noisy parakeets are generally not timid, and will announce their presence loudly to anything approaching them. They can frequently be observed foraging for food consisting of seeds, fruits, flowers and nectar or roosting in trees. They generally travel in small groups, although they sometimes will gather to feed and roost in larger groups, sometimes reaching over a thousand birds in a flock.

They are a subspecies of Ring-necked Parakeets and are commonly kept as pets.

Description:

Similar to the Rose-ringed Parakeet, krameri, but the face is pale green; breast and abdomen feathers in both sexes with marked grey-white tinge; smaller upper beak is red with a black tip.

The average length (head to tail tip) is about 40 cm (15.5 ins), with a wing length 146 - 160 mm ( 5.5 - 6 ins).

Abyssinian Parakeets, like other Ring-Necked Parakeets, are characterized by the colored ring around their necks.

The males have a rose-colored ring, while the female's ring is less distinct and emerald-green in color. Males can also be distinguished from females by the black bib which extends from directly underneath their bill to the ring.

The bill of the Abyssinian Parakeet averages 19.6 millimeters in length and is red on the top and black on the bottom.

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Ringneck parrots tend to be less demanding than other parrot species, which makes them an excellent choice for someone who wants to "step up" from an easy-going and easy-care cockatiel or budgie.

Consistent training and behavioral guidance from a young age is recommended to ensure potential owners enjoy a bird free of destructive and annoying habits.

Behavioral challenges that ringnecks present include:

• Chewing: Any parrot will chew. In nature, they use their beak to "customize" their favorite tree, to enlarge the size of their nest in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps their beaks in good condition. The problem is excessive and undesirable chewing. Undisciplined ringnecks may chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. The owner needs to provide plenty of "healthy" chewing opportunities (bird toys, natural wood branches, etc.) and training is necessary to teach a parrot what is "off-limits."

• Jealousy / Aggression: The ringneck parrots can be jealous of other family members and pets. They can develop a bond with only one human and refuse to interact with other people, even attacking them in some cases. Although this is a small bird it does not seem to believe so, and will attack larger birds and even dogs if it feels it or its human is threatened. Owners should be cautious in multiple-pet homes. Continuing to socialize the hand reared pet bird from a young age and letting many people handle and interact with it can prevent single-person bonding and allow it to become an excellent family pet.



• Noise: This species is known to be noisy. Not everybody can tolerate the natural call of a ringneck parrot, and even though it can't (or should not) be entirely eliminated, there are ways to discourage screaming / screeching in your pet.
  

Continuous obedience training is recommended ...

• AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.


• If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
  
  • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
    • Stop Biting
    • Perform Tricks &
    • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
  • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:

• Procuring your Parrot



• Click here for a Breeders Listing
  • Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.


• Ringnecks love to climb and play and need to be provided with a cage that allows them to move around freely and toys to entertain themselves with. Info on Housing Your Bird



• The 3 Key Elements to Your Pet Bird's Happiness and Health



• Training Your Bird



• Bird Nutrition



• Parrot Products

Ringneck Parrots are generally hardy birds. However, the following diseases have been reported in this species:

• Polyoma
• Sarcocystosis
• Aspergillosis (fungal disease)
• Bacterial infections (pneumonia)
  
• Hypovitaminosis A
  
• Psittacosis

Relevant Resources:

• Identify a sick bird
• Sick bird care

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Taxonomy:

Species: Scientific: Psittacula krameri parvirostris ... English: Abyssinian Parakeet ... Dutch: Abessijnse Halsbandparkiet ... German: Abessinischer Halsbandsittich ... French: Perruche à bande rose de l'Abyssinie | CITES II - Endangered Species

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