Song parrots: description, rules of keeping and breeding

Song parrots are a fairly common species of birds, suitable for keeping in cages and aviaries. They are unpretentious to food, caring for them is not particularly difficult. In response to care and love, these birds will delight their hosts with melodious singing.

Range - the southeastern and northeastern regions of Australia. Under natural conditions, birds gather in huge flocks and can “raid” the planting and sowing of cultivated plants. They feed on seeds, berries, fruits, insects. Most of the time is spent on earth. Song parrots are mostly medium-sized and medium-sized, with a long tail, a wide variety of colors.

Males differ from females in a brighter, contrasting color plumage and beautiful melodic singing. Song parrots often settle near human housing, nesting in barns, barns and other buildings. A singing parrot was first introduced to England in the mid-19th century. These birds live well and breed in captivity. With proper care, a singing parrot can live at home from 15 to 25 years.

There are several types of song parrots.

• Yellow-winged, gold-shouldered or Queensland. The males have large golden-yellow spots on the wings in the shoulder area, and red spots in the lower abdomen. Females are grayish in color, with brownish-green hues. These parrots are medium sized, quite calm.

• Hood. A distinctive feature of this species is a black “hat” or “hood” on the head. Males are brightly colored: various shades of green prevail - from light turquoise to dark, olive.The central part of the back is gray-brown, the abdomen below is red with an orange tint, yellow stripes on the wings. The plumage of females is dominated by muted, faded colors.

• Red-backed. The birds are small - the body length is from 26 to 28 centimeters with colorful plumage. A long tail (12-14 cm) is usually a darker shade. The males have feathers of bright, catchy colors. The back, head, chest are green, the abdomen is yellow, and the wings are greenish with a yellow speck in the middle and with blue fly feathers. On the back are several bright red feathers.

Although the plumage of females is faded and inconspicuous, they are also very beautiful. These birds have a calm character, they are quite peaceful towards other species of birds, but usually share territory with relatives.

• Red-tailed Cinnamon. As the name implies, these parrots (males) have blue spots on the “face”, that is, near the ears, eyes, and beak. The back and chest are brownish, the abdomen is yellow-red, the wings and tail are blue-violet. Very beautiful, spectacular coloring. However, despite the external beauty and melodious singing, experts do not recommend this species for breeding at home, especially for inexperienced poultry farmers.

The fact is that behind the angelically beautiful appearance hides a difficult character. Birds are aggressive and non-living, they enter into a fight with any representatives of a feathered tribe, without distinguishing between friends and foes.

Song parrots have long been tamed by humans and therefore have adapted well to life in an apartment or house. However, there are some features of their content that you need to know in order to provide them with the most comfortable living environment. The main thing to remember: small cages are not suitable for these birds. It is better to settle them in an aviary, with a length of 1 to 2 meters, a width of at least 80 centimeters, with a high ceiling.

A layer of sawdust or sand is poured on the floor, about 5 centimeters thick. The litter is changed as it becomes soiled; it is better to do this once a week. It is necessary to equip drinking bowls, feeders, perches for sitting, as well as various toys for entertainment and physical activity, for example, ladders, swings, tree branches. Parrots need to be fed 2 times a day, morning and evening, at about the same time. Change the drinking water daily.

The menu must include such foods as:

• the seeds - sunflower, millet, oats, buckwheat;
• cereal - fresh and boiled corn, sprouted wheat;
• bean - boiled beans, lentils, peas;
• fruits - pears, apples, pomegranates, as well as exotic berries;
• vegetables - carrots, green bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli;
• greens - chard, celery, branches of shrubs and trees;
• you can add porridge.

In addition, parrots eat well the most common weeds, such as dandelions, wood lice, amaranth, and wheat grass. Suitable and special food, which is sold in pet stores. And also in the cage must be standing bowls with crushed eggshell, chalk, fine-grained sand. Such additives are needed for better digestion and assimilation of food. Periodically, you can buy in stores fertilizer and vitamins intended for parrots.

The following products should not be given:

• milk, kefir, fermented baked milk;
• chocolate products;
• coffee;
• avocado;
• parsley;
• fried foods;
• salt.

Be sure to look at the expiration date and appearance of any products intended for feeding. To avoid diseases, birds are given only high-quality and fresh food. The air temperature in the room where the parrots are kept should be from 25 to 30 degrees with a humidity of about 65 percent. Do not place the cage near heating appliances or in a draft.

Long exposure to direct sun should also be avoided.Parrots are very fond of swimming. They arrange a “bathing day” for them - they put a shallow but wide tank with clean water on the floor of the enclosure. At the end of the procedure, the "bath" is removed.

Song parrots breed well at home. They have a mating season in the autumn-winter months. It usually begins in September or October and ends in December or January. In some cases, this period lasts until May. By this time, a nesting house of plywood or boards is installed in the aviary, resembling a regular birdhouse in shape and size. It is better to sprinkle the bottom with sawdust or sand.

The male takes care of the female, spreads her tail, rises on her paws, long and melodiously sings. The female reciprocates him, the birds sit nearby, quietly coo, with their beaks sorting feathers from each other. In clutch there are from 4 to 8 testicles. The female hatches them very carefully, almost without leaving the nest. The male takes care of her all this time, brings food. After about 21 days, chicks appear. Parents feed them in turn, at this time it is necessary to add protein ingredients of animal origin to the menu - chopped eggs, small worms.

Feeding lasts about a month or a little more. After that, the grown-up “children” leave a cozy nest, but still remain in the care of their elders for 2-3 weeks. As soon as young birds become independent, they need to be transplanted to another enclosure - otherwise the separation of territory and fights will begin, since they do not have a sense of affection, kinship.

Like any animals and birds, parrots can get sick. Due to their small body mass, metabolic processes in them go very quickly, so do not neglect treatment. At the slightest ailment, an urgent need to contact a veterinary clinic or a specialist ornithologist. It should also be remembered that there are diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

The main sign of any incipient disease of the bird is a decrease in its activity. The parrot becomes lethargic, drowsy, sits in one place, with a cracked nose, the plumage looks sloppy, dull. He eats very reluctantly or completely refuses food.

Often diseases arise from improper conditions of detention, errors in care and feeding. For good health and physical fitness, birds need to move a lot, fly. So, it is necessary to provide them with such an opportunity and keep them in large enclosures. Food should be of good quality, not spoiled, without mold and rot. It should be poured in small portions so as not to stale.

Should provide a complete and varied diet, including vitamins and mineral supplements. Rinsers and drinking bowls are rinsed daily. Housekeeping is done weekly. Wash and disinfect completely about 1 time per month. Compliance with these conditions will make keeping parrots a pleasant and easy task. Cheerful and healthy birds will delight their owners for many years.

For what are the parrots, see the next video.