Description of species of grass parrots and the rules of their content

If you decide to have a difficult relationship with birds as pets, and ordinary canaries and budgerigars seem boring to you, pay attention to herbal parrots. Their friendly disposition and bright plumage will quickly conquer the hearts of your household.

This birdie is of small size - the adult is usually barely 25 cm, with very bright beautiful plumage. Most birds are dominated by green color with different shades. Australia and the island of Tasmania adjacent to the mainland are considered the birthplace of birds. Under natural conditions, these parrots prefer to settle in eucalyptus forests with grasses. Eat grass seeds, small berries and insects.

Unlike many of its relatives, grass parrots move mainly on the ground, and fly only in exceptional cases. In nature, they are perfectly oriented in the thick grass, preferring to take off only to the height of the shrub. For their constant maintenance at home, it is advisable to purchase a spacious enclosure not less than 1 meter in length.

Grass parrots are quite friendly and easy to tame. Despite the fact that the bird is constantly moving, it does not make excessive noise. Herbal parrots breed in captivity well - for the year the female can lay eggs 1-2 times. Childbearing age occurs at about 8-9 months, but experts do not recommend pairing birds before they are one year old.

Since these birds are from the tropics, the conditions of their detention in captivity should be close to the natural. The room with aviary should be warm, without drafts. The optimum temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is at least 60%. Herbal parrots are active in the afternoon. In the daytime, the bird hardly moves, but when it begins to close, it starts its trills, leading them out with its not very loud, but rather pleasant and melodious voice.

Therefore, in the evening you should take care of additional lighting.. The bird is very shy, so the transition from daylight to evening lighting should be carried out smoothly. Sharp darkness can cause stress in a bird. It is believed that a quiet whistle can soothe an agitated bird, but loud sounds, on the contrary, are very exciting and annoying. With proper maintenance, herbal parrots live in captivity on average 12-15 years, in some cases they lived to 20 years.

At home, parrots feed on cereal mixture. Canary, oatmeal and other cereals, millet, sunflower seeds are quite suitable. The main thing - do not overfeed the bird. An adult bird needs about one and a half tablespoons of feed per day. Parrots with pleasure eat finely chopped or grated vegetables and fruits, various greens.

In total there are 7 species of grass parrots, each of which has its own unique color. Let us examine in more detail each of these species.

The pink-bellied parrot, also known as the boork. The scientific name is Neophema bourkii. The size of the bird is about 23 cm, the length of the tail is about 10 cm.The plumage of this individual with a brown tinge, abdomen is colored red-pink. The female has white feathers on the cheeks, and the male has a blue spot on her forehead. In nature, the pink-bellied parrot is making its nests in the hollows of trees. The female at a time can lay 3-5 eggs, which incubate for 2-3 weeks.

The hatching chicks linger in the parental nest for about a month, after which they are fully prepared for independent living and leave the nest. This species was introduced to Europe in the 19th century and was so much loved that by the beginning of the 20th century the species was on the verge of extinction. Therefore, the Australian authorities have banned their export. The population has now been restored.

Azure parrot, scientifically Neophema pulchella. Bird sizes are the same as in the previous species. The color of the males is also quite bright. The back is painted in a deep green color, and the feathers on the abdomen are yellow chicken. On the head there is a cap made of soft turquoise little feathers. The wings have a double color: closer to the base are feathers of red-brown coloring, and at the tips of the wings, as if in tone with a hat, are gloves of the sky blue color. On the paws the color is hot pink, the beak is the color of gray asphalt. It is easy to distinguish an azure parrot female by a more modest attire.

The main color of the females, like the males, is dark green, the belly is also yellow, but the color is not as saturated as that of the male. And the red shades of females are absent altogether. The wings on the inside of the white spots. Azure parrots also nest in hollows, lay 5-8 eggs, quickly fly and run.

In some sources, this species is also called orange or gold-bellied. The scientific name is Neophema chrysogaster. Parrot lives on the islands of Tasmania and King. Refers to an endangered species whose trade is prohibited. The size of a golden parrot is not more than 20 cm. The main color of the male is emerald green, on the forehead is a blue spot with a blue tint, the cheeks are yellowish, the breast and stomach are of a protective marsh color. On the lower abdomen there is a bright orange spot, for which the species got its name.

On the bend of the wings, the feathers are dark purple, and on the inner side of the females there is a white stripe, which the males do not have. In nature, they prefer to settle on the sea coast, in an area with low vegetation. Nest inside eucalyptus trees in late autumn - early winter. In one laying usually from 4 to 6 eggs. Hatching chicks lasts 3 weeks, and after 5 weeks the chicks leave the nest.

In scientific sources it is designated as Neophema chrysostoma. Rare endangered species, included in the list of the convention banning the sale of rare species of flora and fauna, therefore, almost no pet shops. You can look at it only in some nurseries. The body size of the blue-winged parrot is standard, the basic color is also green.

On the brow and tail area there are small yellow blotches, the same on the cheeks there are birds. On the forehead there is a thin blue bridle, the same color and covering feathers on the wings. Outside the wings are dark brown, the tail in the middle is light yellow, smoothly turning into gray-green. Traditionally, the color of the female is less intense than that of the male.

Decorated or elegant, in Latin Neophema splendida. Body sizes are standard, the dominant color in color is green with an olive tinge. The brow area and the folds of the wings are saturated blue, the tail in the middle is blue with a grayish tinge, closer to the edge is light yellow.

The male from the female can be distinguished by the presence of a pale orange speck on the lower part of the abdomen. It feeds mainly on plant food, builds nests on branches or stumps. The female lays up to 5 eggs once a year, at the beginning of autumn. In captivity, birds live more than 10 years.

In some sources this species is called stone.The scientific name is Neophema petrophila. It is rarely seen at home, as it is an endangered species and is protected by law in its historic homeland. The size of the rock parrot is slightly more than 20 cm, the main color is marsh green, the breast is yellow, on the abdomen there is a barely noticeable reddish fluff. The brow area is blue, with a smooth transition to blue. The tail of a complex color is blue-green above, yellow below. The wings on the fold are blue, blue at the edges.

Females are traditionally dressed up less brightly, but have a white strip on the inside of the wings. Feathers on feet and beak are gray. In nature, they live in close proximity to water bodies, in rocky terrain, with sparse vegetation. It flies badly and only for short distances, preferring to hide in thick grass. Nests are built in rocky grooves.

This species is considered perhaps the most beautiful among all grass parrots. Due to the special coloring it is also called glossy. In scientific literature, the species is called Neophema splendida. With standard body sizes, the red-breasted parrot has a tail as much as 17 cm! The male has an elegant shiny blue cap, a bright purple scarf around the throat. The upper part of the bird, the back and the tail, is green, and the multicolor is observed below: the belly and lower tail feathers are yellow, the belly is bright yellow, and the breast is bright scarlet.

The wings on the ends are black with blue tint, covered with blue feathers on top. The paws have a neutral beige color, and the beak is blue-black. Like other species, the female's color is much more modest than that of the male. And it has a white stripe on the inside of the wing. Parrots of this selection prefer flat areas, often settling on farms and in orchards. They prefer to flock up to 20 individuals, at the end of the summer they begin to nest.

The fact that you can and can not give grass parrots, see the following video.