Birds Coo
Scientific Facts
| Common Name: | Blue-winged Parrotlet |
| Scientific Name: | Forpus xanthopterygius |
| Life Span: | 20-30 years |
| Size: | 5 inches |
| Habitat: | Savannahs, tropical forest edge, woodland |
| Country of Origin: | Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, and Bolivia |
Physical Description
Primarily, blue-winged parrotlets are described as small creatures. They are also referred to as “pocket parrots” considering their size. Adult parrotlets commonly have an average length of only 12 centimeters and only weigh around 28 grams. Despite the simplicity and limitation of their colors, and relatively the same to other breeds of parrotlets, they have distinct fine points which make them captivating and striking with their plain classy appearances. The color of the body is nearly fully light-green, with the front side that is relatively lighter and the darker back. Their wings are comprised of deep blue flight feathers with little patches on the top. Blue-winged parrotlets are sexually dimorphic. Males have blue underwing coverts, bend of the wing, rump, and lower back. Female blue-winged parrotlets do not have blue colors; instead, they are entirely green with the flanks and head being yellowish.
The young ones look alike with the adults, although young males have lowered violet-blue portions in the wings, with the underwing-coverts and rump in green with outstanding violet-blue dissemination.
Lifespan
Blue-winged parrotlets may be small in size, but they can have an impressive lifespan, which can last around 20 to 30 years. However, the life of parrotlet is entirely dependent on the kind of environment it is exposed to. The manner of handling is also a big factor in the lifespan of these birds. For this reason, owners are expected to render plenty of time to handle and care for their birds.
Eating Habits
Blue-winged parrotlets commonly feed on fruits, seeds, and crops. However, they are also observed to sometimes feed on other kinds of plants such as grasses. They are known to transfer to another place in the local according to the seasons of fruiting and flowering of some of the primary plants in their diet.
They search for food in some fruit-bearing plants and the upped shade of trees. They climb in the branch and utilize their beak to serve as their third foot. Their paws hold the food, directing to the beak. They prefer seeds over fruit pulps. They get attracted to fruit trees such as guava trees, mangoes, papaya trees, jabuticabeira, and orange trees. The coconuts of most palms have their favored food. Blue-winged parrotlets also love chewing herb as their vegetative supplement.
Sleeping Habits
Blue-winged parrotlets can easily get sleep in a dark environment. They need at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep for them to get a good sleep. Covering their cage during night-time can help consider darkness as their cue to sleeping time.
Development and Reproduction
Blue-winged parrotlets breed from May to August, but their occupation on nests has been noticed in July, January, and March in various areas of the parrotlets’ range. Female parrotlets lay 3 to 7 little, white, and practically spherical eggs. Some parrotlets were noticed to scrape the nests of rufous hornero through their beaks. Although this is no clear reason for this, nests made by rufous horneros were utilized by the blue-winged parrotlets to foster their broods, which has directed to the invitation that the blue-winged parrotlets are “taste-examining” the material of the nest to figure out whether it is appropriate, based on the unknown standards, for their requirements.
How to Breed
Determining the Sexes
Sexes of blue-winged parrotlets can be determined by taking a look at their physical appearance. There is a distinction when it comes to the physical look of male and female blue-winged parrotlets. Males have brilliant blue underwing coverts, wings, and rump. Females, on the other hand, are entirely green. They are identified with their pale bill.
Courtship and Mating
Male parrotlets normally begin to become sexually mature once they reach 5 months to 1 year old. The male will normally put his foot on the back of the female parrotlet. Their tails will turn over, so the cloaca’s grope. There are times that the female position her foot on the male parrotlet. It is common for the parrotlets to do mating in the nest box or the lower portion of the cage.
Eggs and Incubation
Breeding season runs from September to January, with 1 to 2 attempted broods every season. The blue-winged parrotlets utilize both dead and live trees, mainly eucalyptus, as nesting venues up to 20 meters over the ground. The clutch size is normally around 4 to 6 oval or round smooth white eggs; each is commonly 22 meters and 19 mm wide. Incubation happens for around 20 days. The chicks spend 35 more days in the nest.
Common Health Problems
Many parrotlets get sick every time they are shown to draught or rapid alterations in temperature. Parrotlet can catch a cold and fluffs up the feather, acts indifferent, sneezes, and experiences runny nose. Other types of infections damage the lower respiratory tract, and the parrotlet creates a sound that resembles coughing.
Parrotlets may also experience difficulty in breathing, and some instances experience choking fits, which could last for some minutes. Some birds attempt to rescue themselves by fastening the beak in the bars. Doing so will help them extend their trachea, and then breathing becomes more manageable.
Preventing Illnesses
Since blue-winged parrotlets have a very vulnerable respiratory system, they must be situated far from gusty places and places that may experience extreme changes in the temperature. Moreover, highly scented things like household cleaners and incense must be kept distant from these birds since it can be extremely toxic for them.
Owners should also provide their pets with plenty of toys to bolster a hearty and decisive emotional condition, while also giving various perches to combat against atrophy. Nonetheless, consulting your trusted veterinarian is essential in case you notice something different in your pet.
Behavior
Blue-winged parrotlets are little creatures but easy to manage, cuddlesome, and astonishingly humorous. Despite their little size, they are packed with energy and can be comparably naughty. They can be a bit noisy, but the level of their noise is just tolerable. You wouldn’t mind getting parrotlet in your apartment because it does not create too much noise. These birds have strident, high-pitched natural calls with a loudness that is just fair. They have the habit of repeating some simple words in an animating and rambling manner, putting it a whole volume of waggishness.
Their little size does not indicate delicate health. These creatures are recognized for their impressive aptitude to adjust. They normally feel certain things a lot easier compared to the bigger birds. Thus, an excellent temperature is important to stamp out a draft and to provide them natural sunlight and plenty of interplays. These birds enjoy and appreciate snuggling, having fun and messing around. They are bold and aggressive, and they can be taught to talk. They are very smart and can learn tricks if they are given sufficient attention and reiteration.
Moreover, blue-winged parrotlets are comparably clean birds that can groom themselves; nevertheless, it is highly advised to regularly sprinkle them using a clean spray bottle to keep them clean, bright, and happy.
In the wild, they live in a group of up to 20 parrotlets, and when they touch down, they gather together by pairs. They occupy the borders of the riverside forest, cerradoes, and dry forest. They are very dynamic, drifting around huge places, always with clamors of contact. Perched, these birds are concealed with the leaves.
Habitat
Cage
Even though blue-winged parrotlets are very little in size, there is no such thing as “too big” when it comes to their cages. Despite their size, they require a very spacious cage so they can move freely. These parrotlets are also territorial. The minimum dimension of the cage must be more protracted than high because these birds are characterized to fly sideways and not upwards. The cage should not directly stand in the ground. It should be fixed at least 80 centimeters over the ground.
The spacing of the cage bar is also very important. Spacing should be half an inch; otherwise, the bird might get hurt or even die once it gets its head stuck in between the bars. Bars should not be too distant; otherwise, the bird can escape from the cage. Because blue-winged parrotlets enjoy climbing, braiding or crossbars are recommended because they can better grasp on there. Bars should be dark in color because shiny or white bars can look as an unrelenting flicker to the bird. Your pet can have a better vision with dark bars. Lacquered or plastic-coated bars must not be used for the cage of the parrotlet. They nip off the coverings using their beaks and ingest the tiny particles.
Substrate
Different kinds of substrates can be utilized to line the base of the cage, depending on the inclination of the owner. In certain circumstances, aspen pellet bedding can be applied as the base of the cage because of its ability to grasp the moisture and droppings better than others. Other pet owners choose to use cage paper to better supervise the droppings of fecal, which are commonly used as signs of health.
Lighting
Parrotlets do not require any special lighting. Nevertheless, these creatures will essentially benefit from natural sunlight. It is often suggested to secure a UVB bulb invigorating natural sunlight to augment hearty emotional development. Blue-winged must experience the natural cycle of daytime and night-time.
Temperature
Overall, blue-winged parrotlets can adjust to a medium household temperature. Nevertheless, owners should be mindful when it comes to ultimate temperatures and alterations. The ideal temperature is 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toys
Blue-winged parrotlets are smart creatures that require a maximum volume of stimulation. Hence, it is important to give these birds different toys in superior quality. The toys must give the bird an array of benefits like mirror toys, bells, and other alike things.
Diet
Their diet is naturally comprised of fruits, seeds, crops, and small insects. As an ideal base of a balanced and healthy diet, owners may get a commercial parrotlet seed mix. Parrotlet seed mix has all the essential goodies such as the millet, oats, canary grass seeds, wheat, and weed seeds. These ingredients contain important nutrients and proteins these birds need. To cater to the requirement for a balanced diet, owners must regularly include fresh vegetables and fruits to contribute more vitamins. Freshwater in a clean cup must be readily available in the cage. This cup must be regularly replaced and should be free of waste throughout.
Although these creatures enjoy a superior quality diet that is packed of variation, some foods must be avoided knowing that they are noxious to them. Owners should never consider feeding their parrotlets are pitted fruits, chocolate, caffeine, coffee, and avocados. Further, high seed diets are beneficially lacking and may result in fatty liver disease. Blue-winged parrotlets must be supplied with calcium supplements, or else weak bone formations and probable egg impaction can happen.
How to Care for Blue-winged Parrotlet
Blue-winged parrotlets are social, emotional, and loving that require an essential amount of contact and handling. Since your pet would demand a regular affection, the wings are suggested to be trimmed to limit their flights and potentially harming themselves. Considering the size of blue-winged parrotlets, big baths and showers are no longer applicable. Instead, use spray baths to provide your pet with good hygiene.
Blue-winged parrotlets have various parts that require maintenance and proper grooming, more particularly the nails, beak, and wings. To guarantee the proper growth of their nails, their nails should be trimmed regularly. When it comes to oral care, different beak conditioners like cuttlebones and lava blocks which can be placed inside the cage to facilitate the wearing down of the beak. If by any instance, the owner notices an overgrown beak in their pet, the bird must be delivered to a veterinarian for an appropriate filing. Further, these birds must be regularly brought to a veterinarian to have their nails and wings checked.
Where to Get One?
Blue-winged parrotlets are available in many pet stores. You can also get them from known breeders. Because there are plenty of choices when it comes to where you can get your pet parrotlet, it is important that you only get it from a reliable seller.
FAQs
I am getting one for my kid, but is the parrotlet safe for her?
Yes. Blue-winged parrotlet is a great pet and is not dangerous to your child. But adult supervision is still advised to ensure proper care for the pet.
Are there restrictions on their diet?
Some foods are highly toxic to your pet. Pitted fruits, chocolate, caffeine, coffee, and avocados should never be fed to blue-winged parrotlets.
How can I ensure good health?
Give them a balanced and nutritious diet. Make sure that its environment is clean. Give them plenty of toys to keep them busy.
