Though this bird is related to the Ringnecks, they are quite different in personality. They are reported to be mellower and not as noisy as the Ringnecks, though the Mustache Parakeet has been described as "feisty." They are generally calmer than the Indian and African Ringnecks as well as the Plumhead.

They are also excellent eaters and will readily sample new foods that other birds may pass up.

The Mustache Parakeet is related to the Ringneck Parakeets, and like them, they can often talk, though they are not as clear of speech as some of the larger parrots, such as the African Grey. However, they are reported to speak with more clarity than the Ringnecks.

It is important that Mustache Parakeets are handled regularly from a young age, as they can become aggressive, if they are not well socialized and handled regularly.

If you want a smaller parrot with a lot of personality, the Mustache Parakeet may be the bird for you. However, they are also "opinionated" and have been described as stubborn. Not surprisingly so, considering their intelligence. Obedience training is strongly recommended.

The Mustache Parakeet is a voracious chewer and should be provided plenty of chew toys. Other toys are also a must to stimulate this intelligent bird. If they are not given plenty of exciting toys, they will grow bored and behavioral problems can result.

Like other parrots they require companionship, and if you keep them singly you must be able and willing to spend large amounts of time with them. The same is true if you want to maintain their tameness. They should be handled regularly and be well socialized.

In the wild this bird is often seen in flocks of 10 to 50 individuals. These flocks may often be heard before they are seen. This is a fact that should be kept in mind before deciding to purchase a Mustache Parakeet.

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

• Companion birds do present challenges, such as excessive screaming or chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Undisciplined parrots will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.
  
  
  • Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.
  
  
  
  • If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
    
    • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
      • Stop Biting
      • Perform Tricks &
      • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
    • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

Care and Feeding:

Diet: Basic parrot/parakeet mix, but reduce the Sunflower seeds in the warmer months. Please refer to bird nutrition for further information on feeding your parakeet for long life and good health.

Housing: They require long aviaries, rather than wide, as they are strong, straight flyers. They also like a protected area when breeding. The entry-door to the aviary should be at the opposite end. Double-wire between flights is recommended to prevent birds in adjoining aviaries from biting each other - especially during breeding season.

• Purchasing a Parrot
• The 3 Key Elements That Will Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy
• Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
• Housing your bird
• Caring for your companion bird

Distribution / Habitat:

The Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) is among the more widespread species of the genus and is the species which has the most geographical variations. Most of the subspecies are confined to small islands or a cluster of islands in Indonesia. One subspecies occurs in the Andaman islands, India and one subspecies occurs in continental South East Asia and partly extending to North-eastern parts of South Asia along the foothills of the Himalayas. Some of the island races may be threatened by the wild bird trade. The nominate race which occurs in Java is close to extinction. Feral populations of this species have now established themselves in cities like Mumbai and small numbers occur in other cities such as Chennai and Bangalore in India. The binomial commemorates Alexander the Great. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

In the wild this species feeds on fruits, berries, flowers, nuts, seeds, nectar, and leaf buds

Breeding and Propagation:

The Mustache Parakeets are commonly bred in captivity. They reach maturity somewhere between 2 and 3 years of age. It is recommended that birds be paired up at a young age. The female may at times dominate the males. Courtship starts in late winter and the hens can be seen begging the males to feed them.

In the wild they breed between the months of December and April, though this is variable depending on the weather and altitude. A thick-walled hollow log can be provided as a nesting box. If not available, a commercially available nesting box should suffice.

Egg laying generally commences early spring and clutches vary from 2 to 4 eggs, and the young fledge in 52 days. Palm fronds should be placed at the aviary front and leafy branches must be placed at the back to protect the fledging young from hurting themselves as they hit the aviary walls and fall to the aviary floors. If this is not done, many of the young will die of head injuries or severely damage their scalps. Fledging chicks don't have a great amount of control as they start flying.

The young can be left in with the parents for 9 months, but must then be removed as the parent will be ready to bred again. The young wean at 12 - 14 weeks.

Rearing food is very important, such as sprouted sunflower seed, soaked chick peas, diced apple, celery, raw or boiled corn, green feed, s well as shell grit, coarse sand and pieces of charcole. Supplementing with multi-vitamisn and liquid calcium is especially important prior to egg laying.

Andaman Moustached Parakeets: Species: Scientific: Psittacula alexandri abbotti aka Palaeornis alexandri abbotti ... English: Andaman Moustached Parakeet ... Dutch: Andaman Roseborstparkiet ... German: Andamanen Bartsittich ... French: Perruche barbe du Abbott CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Andaman Islands Description: Description: as fasciata, but plumage generally much paler; grey head with only light lilac-blue tinge; breast and upper abdomen pale salmon-pink washed lightly with lilac-blue; upper mandible red, lower mandible black; larger. Female as male, but breast and abdomen without lilac-blue tinge; pink extends up to side of neck; upper and lower mandible black. Length: 36 cm (14 ins), wing length 163 - 181 mm (6.5 - 7 ins)

Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 5 - click on link to view photo.)

Kangean Moustached Parakeets: Species: Scientific: Psittacula alexandri kangeanensis aka Palaeornis alexandri kangeanensis ... English: Kangean Moustached Parakeet ... Dutch: Kangean Roseborstparkiet ... German: Kangean Rosenbrustbartsittich ... French: Perruche barbe ... First description : Hoogerwerf 1962 CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Kangean Islands, Indonesia Description: as alexandri, but with only faint blue tinge to head; median wing-coverts yellowish; bill heavier; upper and lower mandible in both sexes red. Length: 33 cm (13 ins), wing length 158 - 161 mm (6 - 6.5 ins)

Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)

The nominate race which occurs in Java is close to extinction. Feral populations of this species have now established themselves in cities like Mumbai and small numbers occur in other cities such as Chennai and Bangalore in India.

The binomial commemorates Alexander the Great. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Species: Scientific: Psittacula alexandri cala aka Palaeornis alexandri cala ... English: Simeuluean Moustached Parakeet ... Dutch: Simeulue Roseborstparkiet German: Simeulue Bartsittich CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Simeulue Island, Indonesia Description: as fasciata, but plumage slightly paler; forehead and eye areas without green tinge; breast and upper abdomen darker pink, less salmon-colour and without lilac-blue tinge; lower abdomen strongly washed pale blue; upper mandible red, lower mandible black; slightly larger. Female as male, but upper and lower mandible black. Length: 36 cm (14 ins), wing length 168 - 185 mm (6.5 -7 ins)

Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 6 - click on link to view photo.)

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