• History
  • Temperament
  • Speech and Vocalizations
  • Colors and Markings
  • Care
  • Health Problems
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Where to Adopt or Buy
  • Further Research

Origin and History

Species Overview

This parrot lives in large flocks that can reach over 100 birds, though mating pairs will fly off to find a tree cavity to nest in for the breeding season.

Temperament

Similarly, they love to interact with their human flock. Many owners say that the bird will simply wander around looking for someone who can give them attention. When they find that family member, they’ll wait patiently to be picked up or played with. 

Speech and Vocalizations

These birds are excellent talkers and can pick up a diverse vocabulary. It’s quite comical to listen to them repeat phrases using different inflections every time.

The species’ other common name, blue-crowned parrot, is due to a blue patch that’s on its crown. On some birds, this may be more of a purple color and some have a patch of yellow on their forehead.

These birds also have bursts of red and blue on the edges of their feathers and flesh-colored legs. Their beaks range from horn- or yellow-colored to dark gray, and they have a featherless white ring around the eyes.

Routine bathing or misting with a shower head is vital to maintaining good plumage and skin. Allow the birds to dry in a warm room or in the sun, or gently dry the bird with a warm blow-dryer.

Common Health Problems

  • Feather-picking, which can lead to skin infections and balding
  • Psittacosis, also called parrot fever, a disease caused by the chlamydia bacteria
  • Poor eating habits and obesity
  • Bacterial and fungal infections

Diet and Nutrition

Give seeds and nuts as an occasional treat. Although they are a bird’s favorite, they are loaded with fat and can lead to obesity if your bird becomes a picky eater and only wants seeds.

Never feed avocado, chocolate, rhubarb, alcohol, or coffee beans; these foods are toxic for your bird.

Exercise

You should be able to offer a minimum of three to four hours of supervised, outside-of-cage time per day. This activity will allow the bird to burn excess calories and stretch its muscles on top of providing essential mental stimulation.

The bird’s cage should also allow room to move and explore with ladders, a perch, and other enticing elements. Providing bird-safe toys is going to keep the bird occupied while inside. Rotate toys to prevent boredom and, since they do like to chew on things, gives the bird an outlet other than your furniture to take care of that instinct.

  • Hookbills for Sale
  • Adopt a Pet
  • Royal Bird Company

If buying through a breeder, make sure you interview the breeder, look at the general health of their birds, check out their living conditions, and talk to past customers. Signs you should avoid the breeder include cramped living conditions, inactive birds, and breeders who avoid your questions or do not seem to have much information on their birds.

More Pet Bird Species and Further Research

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