Sparrow parrot: maintenance, care, reproduction

The sparrow parrot is a very cute tenant of fauna lovers’ apartments. This parrot lives in Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Barbados, Martinique, Jamaica. However, it can live in Russia with the appropriate content. And today we will analyze all the nuances of such content.

Sparrow parrot: his appearance

These parrots are called “sparrow” – they are miniature, but the body firmly beaten. As a rule, its dimensions are in the range of 12-14,5 cm. these birds are large, the beak is well developed, has a pink tint, eyes – brown. The legs are short but strong. Tail short too, shaped like circle or wedge. color is different, but in any case green tint is present. Females are always paler males.

There is several varieties of such birds:

• Sparrow a parrot classic – it is almost all green, except for the area in the lower area back, on the sacrum. On the listed areas you can see blue feathers. As for the saturation of tones, then they are brighter from above than from below. In females, the forehead may be yellow.
• Yellowface parrot – as you can understand from the name, These birds have a yellow head. More precisely, forehead, cheeks and throat. And here is the back of the head purple-gray, like the stripes from eye to neck. Back and part of the wings have a gray-olive tone. And the back body, tail and partially wings painted purple. У females tend to have wings more green with a little bit of blue. The beak is more gray than pink.
• Mexican the species is predominantly green, and in the lower part of the body has malachite shade. But the forehead, the sides of the head and throat yellowish. Some part wings may contain blue feathers – however, this is typical for males. Females, as well as young bluebirds do not contain feathers.
• parrot Lesson – he has an interesting manifestation blue coloration. She is like an arrow frames the eyes. Also blue border can be seen on the wings. Uppertail may also be blue. Otherwise these birds are bright green.
• Spectacle variant is different in that eyes are framed by a ring of blue tone in males and light green in females. It not wide, and the tone is weakly expressed, but such the drawing really looks like glasses. Basically, these birds are dark green, and malachite appears on their abdomen shine. Fly wings are dyed Blue colour. On the mandible you can see dark spot.
• blue-winged view – despite the name, blue color is observed only in males. Them coverts and flight feathers are painted, and also uppertail. The females are green absolutely, but around their eyes yellow areas may be observed.

Content of passerines parrots: recommendations

В what conditions to contain these beauties?

• Ideally, you need to keep this pet in an aviary, since such birds are very active, they love to fly a lot. But, of course, people who live in apartments most often acquire parrots. However, you should not despair – you just need to purchase a spacious cage for your new pet. It is believed that for a couple of parrots it is better to buy a cage with dimensions of 60x35x45 cm. The width of 80-90 cm is considered the best. In a smaller cell, the parrot will quickly gain weight, as it will not be able to actively move. In general, of course, the more extensive the pet’s home, the better.
• As for the materials from which the dwelling is made, it is best to purchase a metal product. Wooden parrots will quickly gnaw – they love to gnaw everything in a row.
• As for the form, the classic is preferable. Rectangular cages, as they were, and remain the most comfortable for the birds. The roof is best chosen either flat or domed.
• It is recommended to place the cage away from drafts and cold. However, stuffiness and direct sunlight falling on the cell for a long time are also not very useful.
• It is quite possible to keep sparrow parrots in a flock. During the period when they are not going to breed, they are quite good-natured towards each other. But one by one it is not worth keeping these birds, because, feeling lonely, they can start screaming, plucking feathers. Or, as an alternative, you will need to pay increased attention to the pet.
• The preferred air temperature for a parrot is from 18 to 25 degrees. If the apartment becomes cooler, you should take care of additional heating. As for the humidity level, the best is from 60% to 80%. Therefore, if it is lower, it is highly recommended to purchase an air humidifier.
• Of course, there should be feeders and a drinker in the cage. It is best to have separate feeders for dry and wet food. It is desirable to place them at the bottom so that there is less debris. But it is recommended to attach the drinker from above – thanks to this step, the water will remain clean for a long time. A bath for bathing is another container that the parrot will definitely not refuse.
• Of course, it is worth buying perches and toys – that is, ladders, ropes, bells, swings. By dealing with them, the birds will be able to fully expend their energy, which will allow them to avoid obesity.

Parrot care: useful tips

Как you need to take care of the sparrow parrot?

• Hygiene – a very important element of content birds. The tray needs to be wiped down every day. About once a month and a cell, and all accessories in it must be washed. Cleaning agents may not be used. – it is better to cook the most ordinary soap solution. Carry out disinfection possible and even necessary, but not more than once times in six months.
• Feed parrots can be quite ready feed – suitable, for example, feed for cockatiels, lovebirds. If not confidence in ready-made feeds or it doesn’t work they can be purchased, it is quite possible to make assortment of several types of seeds, cereals. The best options are oats, millet, wheat, buckwheat, safflower, hemp. It is also worth treating your pet with greens, vegetables, berries, fruits, boiled eggs, cottage cheese with zero percent fat content, nuts. Give nuts often no, they are fat. Can be added to diet honey, crumbly type cereals without adding sugar and salt. Cook porridge need, by the way, exclusively on the water – dairy won’t work. If possible you can give gnaw and twigs, but only from deciduous young trees. They need to be scalded first. boiling water, as well as other greens. Categorically do not give spicy herbs, persimmons, potatoes, dairy products, papaya, fish and meat. Dried fruits are allowed, but home made only as store often contain not very helpful supplements. Talking about how give food, it is worth noting that parrots tend to overeat, so portion should not exceed the amount of food, which the bird is able to master for once.
• Fresh water is essential, of course. And settled in advance. change it needed daily, even if it does not contain there is a lot of rubbish floating around.
• It is noted that centenarians meet at the owners, who feed their pets mineral and vitamin supplements. You can also put a mineral stone is both a source of minerals and great way to sharpen your beak. Also useful sepia – cuttlefish shell. AT it has a lot of useful substances! It is recommended to purchase white sepia, because it is the most natural.
• Definitely give parrots a chance take a dip. The bath should be deep. Pour into it should be clean water at room temperature. By setting bath away from food, you just need to wait until the pet wants buy – the frequency will depend only from the wishes of the parrot.

Passerine breeding parrots: what you need to know

What kind the nuances you need to know about reproduction sparrow parrots?

• Before all you need to understand is that for reproduction sparrow parrots are ready only in age of one year, not earlier. Some hosts try to get offspring from their wards before, however such a desire can cost parrot health problems.
• It’s desirable carry out the preparatory phase. It consists in the continuation of the light days some time before marriage parrot games. And in the diet germinated seeds, as well as cooked hard-boiled eggs and low-fat cottage cheese.
• chosen the owner should put a couple in a separate cell. It should also be spacious. Inside must be located socket format 20x22x25 cm. Entrance diameter in the nest should ideally be 5 see Inside the nest should be laid sawdust from aspen or birch. To the bottom the cage itself needs to be laid with grass, hay – it is likely that their female used to build a nest.
• When incubation and rearing offspring, it is better not to disturb the birds once again. В in principle, for a year a female can sit out 3 masonry. However, abuse it should not be, since such a load is not best effect on health birds. One clutch is incubated by the female usually 3 days. And after 1,5-2 weeks after the appearance of chicks, their parents begin feed – it serves as a signal to the fact that young people can be put away.

No not a single person who has not experienced tenderness at the sight of these lovely birds. They are really funny and With quality care, they can live even up to 25 years old! In a word, it’s wonderful. a pet that will become the most real family member.