Blossom-headed Parakeets

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

The Blossom-headed Parakeet (Psittacula roseata) is native to northeast India eastwards into Southeast Asia. It undergoes local movements, driven mainly by the availability of the fruit and blossoms which make up a large part of its diet.

The Blossom-headed Parakeet is a bird of forest and open woodland. It nests in holes in trees, laying 4-5 white eggs.

The Blossom-headed Parakeet is a gregarious and noisy species with range of raucous calls

Description:

This is a green parrot, about 12 inches (30 cm) long with the tail accounting for more than half of that length. They weigh, on average, 2.5 to 3 ounces (~ 75 - 85g).

The male's head is pink becoming pale blue on the back of the crown, nape (lower back of the neck) and cheeks. There is a narrow black neck collar and a black chin stripe. There is a red shoulder patch and the rump and tail are bluish-green, the latter tipped yellow. The upper beak is yellow, and the lower beak is dark.

The female has a pale grey head and lacks the black neck collar and chin stripe patch. The lower beak (mandible) is pale. Immature birds have a green head and a grey chin. Both upper and lower beak are yellowish and there is no red shoulder patch.

Female attain their adult plumage at 15 months and males by 30 months.

There are no known mutations.

The different head color and the yellow tip to the tail distinguish this species from the similar Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala).

Pet Quality / Training and Behavioral Guidance:

As these parakeets are so rare, experts prefer any captive birds to be placed into a well-managed breeding program. If for some reason, an individual is unsuitable for breeding and you are considering it for your aviary or as pet, you may want to consider the following.

Ringneck parrots are 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: They can be noisy - albeit not as noisy as their larger cousins. 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. Ringnecks are known for their talking and whistling ability, and teaching and encouraging your pet to talk is one way to reduce undesirable 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

Breeding the Blossom-headed Parakeets:

These parakeets are rare and expensive and require experienced breeders. Immature Blossom-headed Parakeets, Slaty headed and Plum headed Parrots are almost identical so if you purchase young birds, be sure to do so only from a reputable breeder.

To ensure breeding success, each pair is best provides its own aviary. Do not house them with Slaty-headed Parakeetst or Plum-headed Parrots to avoid hybridization. Blossom headed parrots make attractive aviary occupants and are generally not aggressive to smaller birds. The Blossom headed parrot is usually quiet and are not very destructive of timber.

The hen is usually the dominant bird.  She reaches breeding age at about 3 years.  New pairs should be introduced to each other several months prior to the start of the breeding season so the birds have plenty of time to establish a strong bond between each other.  A good pair bond will usually result in better breeding results. 

Housing & Diet:

The minimum aviary size should be about 10 feet (3 meters) in length and 3 to 3.5 feet (about one meter) wide. Double wiring between each aviary flight is necessary. Non-toxic leafy branches can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches of various diameters, and placed at various angles, make great perches; and satisfies their need for chewing.

This parrot should be provided a quality parrot seed mix along with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Seeding grasses and green can be offered.Sprouted or germinated seeds are usually more easily accepted by "seed addicts" than fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Sprouted seeds are healthier as the sprouting changes and enhances the nutritional quality and value of seeds and grains. Sprouted seeds are lower in fat, as the process of sprouting utilizes the fat in the seed to start the growing process - thus reducing the fat stored in the seeds.
• Sprouted seeds will help balance your bird’s diet by adding a nutritious supply of high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.
• Soaked and germinated "oil" seeds, like niger and rape seeds, are rich in protein and carbohydrates; while "starch" seeds, such as canary and millets, are rich in carbohydrates, but lower in protein.
• It is in invaluable food at all times; however, it is especially important for breeding or molting birds. Sprouted seeds also serve as a great rearing and weaning food as the softened shell is easier to break by chicks and gets them used to the texture of seeds.

• For more on parrot nutrition, please click here.

Nesting Box:

Dimensions are average and can vary widely, influenced by the bird's and the owner's preferences.  Parent bird's preferences can be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which they have been raised. Offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, will allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season. Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed. 

The length of a nest box / log should approximate 20 inches. A log's internal diameter about 8 to 9 inches square; and the internal diameters of a nest box about 9 to 10 inches square. The inspection hole should be around 4 inches (square or round). A removable top / lid is recommended for easy inspections and for cleaning. The best location for the nest box / log is high in the covered part of the aviary, but not too close to the roof to be affected by heat from the roof in the summer months.

Wood nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through.

Nesting:

They generally nest in July / August. producing one clutch per year, with about 4 to 6 eggs each clutch. Both the male and female incubate the eggs for 22 to 24 days. The chicks stay in the next box for about 7 to 8 weeks and are independent within another 2 to 3 weeks after that.

The young are often left with the parent birds for a while after they fledged, and this will generally not cause any problems as the Blossom-headed parrot usually only produce one clutch a year.  The extra time with the parents will provide young birds with additional opportunities to learn from them.   If, however, aggression is observed the affected bird or birds need to be separated.

Inexperienced young blossom-headed parakeets often fly into the wire mesh of the aviary and this can cause injury or even death of a bird.  Attaching leafy branches at the end of the aviary will reduce this problem.

• Please visit this webpage for more detailed information on breeding.

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

Taxonomy:

Species: Scientific: Psittacula roseata roseata ... English: Blossom-headed Parakeet ... Dutch: Bloesemkopparkiet ... German: Rosenkopfsittich ... French: Perruche à tête rose ... CITES II - Endangered Species

Distribution: Lower Himalayas in West Bengal, Assam to Pakistan, northern Burma

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Burmese Blossom-headed Parakeets:

Distribution: southernmost Assam and southern Burma east across Thailand to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Description: As blossom-headed Parakeet described / featured above, but plumage generally slightly paler and more yellowish; brown-red patch to wing-coverts slightly larger; middle tail-feathers very slightly paler blue; outer feathers paler yellow-green. Female and immatures as in nominate type, but plumage likewise generally more yellowish. ... Length: 30 cm (12 ins)

Species: Scientific: Psittacula roseata juneae ... English: Burmese Blossom-headed Parakeet ... Dutch: Burma Bloesemkopparkiet ... German: Birma Rosenkopfsittich ... French: Perruche à tête rose de Junea ... CITES II - Endangered Species

Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 5 - click on link to view photo.)

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