Turquoisine Grass Parakeet
The Turquoisine Grass Parakeet, also known as the Turquoise Parrot, is a small parrot species that are native to Australia. These birds are named for their striking turquoise-colored plumage, which covers most of their body, with the exception of their wings and tail, which are a darker greenish-brown.
Turquoisine Grass Parakeets are typically found in grasslands and savannas, where they feed on a variety of seeds, fruits, and insects. They are social birds and are often seen in small flocks, but they can also be found in pairs during the breeding season.
In captivity, Turquoisine Grass Parakeets are popular pets due to their beautiful colors and active personalities. They require a spacious aviary with plenty of room to fly and exercise, as well as perches, toys, and other forms of stimulation. They also need a balanced diet that includes a variety of seeds, fruits, and vegetables, as well as live insects.
Turquoisine Grass Parakeets are known for their playful and curious nature, as well as their ability to learn and mimic sounds. They can be trained to perform simple tricks and respond to human interaction, making them a great choice for bird enthusiasts who are looking for a lively and interactive pet. However, they can be somewhat noisy, so they may not be the best choice for people who live in apartments or other noise-sensitive environments.
Scientific Name: Neophenta pulchella
Origin: New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia
This brightly colored parakeet is easy to manage, feed and breed. It may be kept with other parrot-like species, such as Bourke’s Parakeet if the aviary is fairly large. It becomes active in the evening but is quiet and lethargic during the day. It needs plenty of flying space. A frost-proof shelter is required for bad weather.
Description:
Size: 20 cm (8 in)
COCK:
Body: green. Lures and cheeks: turquoise-blue. Throat and chest: yellow. Wings: blue and chestnut red. Beak: horn color. Legs: yellowish-grey.
HEN:
Similar, but duller colors. No chestnut red on the wings. Less blue on the face.
Diet: (Seedeater)
Mixed millets, plain canary seeds, and sunflower seeds form the basic diet.
Green food and a liberal quantity of maw seed are appreciated. Soaked and sprouted seeds should be fed at all times. Grit and cuttlefish bone must always be provided.
Turquoise Grass Parakeet Breeding
The courtship display of the cock includes a soft whistling smug. Nest boxes should be provided for breeding pairs and they often use a budgerigar nesting box. The base should be filled with damp moss or wood pulp.
Four to five eggs are laid and the hen incubates alone. The incubation period is just 17 to 19 days. The cock bird feeds her while she is sitting and for a further few days after the chicks have hatched. Both parents then feed the young. Rearing food should include soaked and sprouted seeds, soaked bread, green food, and maw seed. Young birds should not be allowed to breed until they attain two years of age.
Turquoisine Grass Parakeet Information
- The turquoise grass parakeet is found in the rain forests of Australia, areas like southeast Queensland and the northern part of central Victoria. The birds are commonly seen in woodland areas and open grasslands. Generally, the woodlands consist of timber and creeks lined with trees. Though far from being extinct the trading of the bird is protected by the laws passed out by the Australian government.
- The bird stays in small groups but sometimes they can be found in flocks of 30 to 40 birds. The birds have an erratic direction of flight and are often fluttery.
- The bird produces mainly two types of calls. One call has a soft soothing tone while the other is the weak twittering sound produced by the bird when feeding itself.
- In the wild, the breeding season for the bird starts in the month of Augusts and ends in December.
- The bird is very fertile and is capable to breed at an early age of 5 months.
- The male bird becomes very aggressive during the breeding season.
- The bird in the wild prefers to build their nests in hollows that are usually at a height of around 1 meter from the ground. The hollow nests of the bird consist of hollows in the tree trunks, dead tree stumps, fence posts,, and such.
With the aid of selective breeding, turquoise grass parakeets can be bred into a varied range of colors in captivity.
See more: Three-Coloured Mannikin