Celestial or Pacific Parrotlets aka Lesson's Parrotlets
(Forpus - Coelestis)
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Distribution:
The Pacific Parrotlets naturally occur in Western Ecuador and North-western Peru. They are considered an endangered species in the wild (CITES II).
Description:
The Pacific Parrotlet averages 4 to 4.5 inches long.
They are now available in several beautiful mutations; although the original green parrotlet sports a vibrant green color with equally bright blue accents - which are equally attractive.
The "normal" male is bright apple green on the forehead, crown and cheeks, becoming silver-blue over the occiput and the nape of the neck, with blue coloration being most prominent immediately behind the eyes. The lower back and rump are dark cobalt blue, as are the under wing coverts and axillaries, with the upper tail coverts being greenish blue. The 'upper part of the back and the scapulars are greenish gray. The inner secondaries are similarly colored, with the outer secondaries being cobalt-blue. The lower surface of the flight feathers is bluish green. The underparts are green, with a prominent gray suffusion on the sides of the breast and flanks. The tail feathers are a dull shade of green on their upper surface, and dusky beneath. Beak pale pinkish white; legs pinkish; irides dark brown.
Hens have the blue areas of the cock colored emerald-green, although some individuals retain a slight blue suffusion behind their edges, and occasionally on the rump as well. They are a purer shade of green overall, with less grayish suffusion, most noticeably over the wings.
Young birds resemble adults, but have a pinker beak on fledging. They can be sexed at this stage although young cocks are less colorful than adults. The area of blue behind the eyes is reduced, as is that on the wings. Additionally, the lower back and rump are of a bluish green shade, rather than being pure blue. [The Atlas of Parrots, Dr. David Alderton (1991)]
Sexing: Blue feathers on the parrotlet indicate male birds.
Talking / Personality:
They are able to learn to talk and share the "big parrot" attitude of the lovebirds. They can get nippy, and require training. Spraying them with a mister bottle helps in curtailing any negative behavior. They are not very noisy, about the same noise level of a cockatiel.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
- Parrotlets can be nippy, as 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. 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.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
Mutations:
Many beautiful color mutations have been bred in aviculture, as you can see from these beautiful photos. The below photos have kindly been provided by Marcy Covaul, President, Pyrrhura Breeders Association - www.birdcompanions.com. Marcy breeds these magnificent little parrots. Feel free to check out her website for availability.
Genus: Scientific: Forpus ... English: Parrotlets ... Dutch: Muspapegaaien ... German: Sperlingspapageien ... French: Perruche moineau 
Species: Scientific: Forpus coelestis ... English: Pacific Parrotlet, Celestial Parrotlet ... Dutch: Blauwe Muspapegaai, Sperling Papegaai ... German: Blaugenick Sperlingspapagei ... French: Perruche moineau à dos gris
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
