Common
Names:
The Plum-Headed Parakeet is sometimes also known as the
Plum-Headed Parrot, the Plum-Headed Parrot, and the Blossom-Headed Parakeet.
Scientific Name:
Psittacula cyanocephala.
Origin:
Plum-Headed Parakeets hail from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
and surrounding lands. They thrive in the woodlands and forested areas where
they make the trees their habitat, although escaped pet Plum-Headed Parakeets
have been reported to be able to survive in a variety of climates around the
world.
Size:
The Plum-Headed Parakeet is a smallish-medium sized bird.
Typically, they reach lengths of up to 12 inches long from head to tail,
although it should be noted that a good deal of that length can be attributed
to their long, slender tailfeathers.
Average
Lifespan:
Like many hookbills and
members of the parrot family, Plum-Headed Parakeets can live for a very long
time. Although their average lifespan is usually between 15 and 20 years, pet
birds in captivity, when properly cared for, have been reported to live for up
to 30 years and beyond. If you're thinking about adopting a Plum-Headed
Parakeet, then you should definitely prepare yourself to be taking care of your
bird for quite some time. It's best to assume that your bird will live its
maximum life expectancy when committing to such a long term situation.
Temperament:
Plum-Headed Parakeets in general are often reported to be
gentle, social, and affectionate birds by their owners. They are relatively
quiet for a parrot, and so they may be a good choice for those bird owners who
live in apartments or
other housing situations that place them in close proximity to their neighbors.
When hand fed as babies, Plum-Headed Parakeets can become very tame and will
bond strongly with their owners. It is important for those who do not have
experience with Psittacula species, however, to understand that many of these
birds will go through a bluffing phase
during their adolescence. This is strictly hormone related, and should not be
taken as an indication of how the bird's personality will be once it reaches
maturity. Birds that are handled daily
will achieve the greatest levels of tameness and bonding with their owners.
Colors:
Plum-Headed Parakeets are a dimorphic species,
so it is relatively easy to tell mature males and females apart by the color
variants of their plumage.
The body of both sexes is primarily green, with varying shades occurring on the
breast, abdomen, back, and wings. Males have purplish-red heads that are
outlined by a black ring around their necks. Females exhibit blue-gray feathers
on their heads, and lack the black neck stripe. Instead, many of them have
yellow tinged feathers around their necks.
Feeding:
Like other parrots, Plum-Headed Parakeets do best in
captivity when they are fed a diet consisting of a high quality seed and pellet
mix, supplemented daily with fresh, bird-safe fruits
and vegetables. These birds enjoy variety in their diets, so be sure to
experiment with foods like sprouts, leafy greens, berries, and even peppers.
Birds do not have the ability to pick up on "hot" flavors like humans
do, so many of them enjoy picking apart spicy peppers to get at the seeds
inside.
Exercise:
Plum-Headed Parakeets are very active birds in the wild, so
in captivity they must be provided with an area to exercise and play in. These
birds should be allowed a minimum of 3 to 4 hours outside of their cages each
day, in a safe, bird proofed play area. They should be supervised by their
owners during this time to prevent accidents and injuries -- so anyone who is
interested in owning one of these birds should make sure that they have ample time
available to spend with their pet.
Plum
Headed Parakeets as Pets:
While like any asiatic
parakeet they can be a challenge to deal with during hormonal periods,
Plum-Headed Parakeets make excellent pets for those who are familiar with what
it takes to raise them. If you are interested in learning more about this
beloved species, contact a breeder or your local bird club or aviculture
society. An experience owner who is familiar with these birds will be your
greatest source of information when it comes to deciding whether or not the
Plum-Headed Parakeet is a good fit for you. Make the best use possible of these
sorts of resources before jumping into adopting one of these birds, or any type
of feathered friend.
