Variety Overview
English Name: Barred Parakeet
Origin: Found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru
Size: Small
Care Level: Easy to care for
Morphological Features and Identification
The barred parakeet is a small, adorable, and quiet parrot measuring 16 centimeters in length. Adult males typically have green plumage without any black on their crowns or underparts. Their abdomens display a mix of black, olive-green, and green shades on the sides, while their chests lack these markings. The curved wing angles and undersides of their coverts and flight feathers show a blend of black and blue-green hues. Their tails are dark green with extensive black feathers in the center. They have slightly pinkish beaks and dark brown eyes. Female barred parakeets have narrower black markings which are absent on their underparts, and their central tail feathers feature narrow black edges.
Reproductive Knowledge
The breeding season for the Central American subspecies begins around December, whereas in South America it typically occurs between May and July. Captive barred parrots are notably quiet and have a calm temperament. In their cages, they primarily climb rather than fly or jump. It is advisable to lightly mist them with water and provide a diet of mixed small parrot seeds along with some fruits and vegetables. These parrots can be bred in groups with relative ease throughout the year, using standard lovebird nesting boxes. Each clutch usually contains about 4-5 eggs, with an incubation period of approximately 21-22 days, and their feathers fully develop after about 6 weeks.