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Pet Parrotlet Breeds: Types of Parrotlets Most Commonly Kept as Pets
If you’re reading this article, you’re likely considering adding a pet parrotlet to your life. With their feisty personalities, adorable attitudes, and playful nature it’s no wonder that pet parrotlet breeds are rapidly growing in popularity.
Parrotlets are one of the smallest parrot species (averaging about 5 inches in length). Being so small, they are often referred to as ‘pocket parrots’ and are divided into three categories: Forpus, Touit, and Nannonpsittaca. The three most common pet parrotlet breeds fall into the forpus category. Before we get into the breed types, let’s learn a little bit about wild parrotlets.
Parrotlets in the Wild
In the wild, parrotlets are endemic to Mexico, and Central & South America, meaning they are only found in that specific region and do not migrate. While there is conflicting information among reputable sources about lifespan, most sources say that wild parrotlets live for approximately 10-20 years (read more about captive parrotlet lifespans here). Being the affectionate creatures that they are, parrotlets form strong bonds and mate for life.
Wild parrotlets live in flocks ranging in size from a few pairs to over one hundred birds. They can thrive in moist or dry conditions and prefer to build nests in hollow trees in lowland forests and shrubland areas. They eat mainly grass seeds, leaf buds, flower blossoms, berries, cacti, insects, and other small fruits.
Forpus Genus
While a quick search in the Integrated Taxonomic Information System returns 18 results for ‘parrotlet’, in this article, we are going to focus on the three types of parrotlets most commonly kept as pets.
The forpus genus includes seven parrotlet species. The first three in the list below are the most common pet parrotlet breeds (more on the three specific species later):
- Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis)
- Mexican Parrotlet: aka Turquoise-rumped Parrotlet or Mexican Blue-rumped Parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius)
- Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus)
- Blue-winged Parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius)
- Green-rumped Parrotlet (Forpus passerinus)
- Sclater’s or Dusky-Billed Parrotlet (Forpus modestus or Forpus sclateri)
- Yellow-faced Parrotlet (Forpus xanthops)
Parrotlets as Pets
If you’re considering adding a pet parrotlet breed to your life, it’s great that you’ve gotten this far in the article. It means you’re investing time into researching and caring for a new pet parrotlet. Parrotlets are long-term pets so make sure you are ready for the commitment.
Parrotlet Personality
Pet parrotlet breeds are feisty, playful, intelligent, curious, and fearless little creatures. They are often described as large parrots trapped in teeny little bodies. While they make great pets, they can be aggressive at times, are fine challenging other animals and humans, and can inflict painful bites (that can and will draw blood) when they are angry, annoyed, or feel threatened.
It’s not a guarantee, but the best way to ensure you will end up with a friendly parrotlet is to purchase from a reputable breeder who hand weans and handles the babies regularly.
Can Pet Parrotlets Talk?
Male and female pet parrotlet breeds have similar personalities, but males are known for being more proficient at talking than females. ‘Talk’ in this instance means a few words and phrases. If it’s important to you to have a parrotlet that can talk, a male might be your best bet. You can teach many words and phrases through repetition and training.
Can Pet Parrotlets Be Kept Alone?
Parrotlets are commonly kept as individual pets and bond strongly with their owner(s). If kept as pairs they are more likely to make strong bonds with their cagemate than with the humans around them. However, even bonded pairs have been known to injure or kill each other.
If you leave a parrotlet alone in their cage for long periods and they don’t get the necessary amount of attention (about two hours per day) they can lose their companionability. This also causes stress in the bird and can lead to feather plucking and other stress-related disorders.
How Loud is a Pet Parrotlet?
Parrotlets are the quietest parrots to keep as pets, creating 65 decibels of noise on average. They are commonly recommended for those living in apartment buildings as they aren’t as loud as other parrot species. With that said, they can certainly be LOUD. 65 decibels is the equivalent of listening to a normal conversation, laughter, or a piano playing. However, when they want to really get your attention, the noise level can go way up to 95 decibels or the equivalent of a motorcycle engine!
It’s a great idea to extensively research pet parrotlet breeds if you’re considering adding one to your family. Too many end up in parrot rescues because owners don’t realize how much time and attention they need, how loud they can be, and just how long they live.
What is a Pet Parrotlet’s Lifespan?
As mentioned before, wild parrotlets live approximately 10-20 years. In captivity, a parrotlet can live much longer. There are fewer threats than in the wild and regular vet checks along with proper care can increase lifespan. Again, there is conflicting information on the lifespan of a pet parrotlet but you can expect your parrotlet to live anywhere from 15-40 years.
How Much Does a Pet Parrotlet Cost?
Parrotlets can range in price from $100 to $750 depending on the breeder (or the aviary) and the color mutations available. There are also cages/enclosures, toys, and food to consider when investing in a parrotlet. Simply put, they are an investment.
Most Popular Pet Parrotlet Breeds in the US
1. Pacific Parrotlet
Pacific Parrotlets are also referred to as Celestial Parrotlets, Western Parrotlets, Lesson’s Parrotlets, or Ridgway’s Parrotlets. They are native to Columbia, Western Ecuador, and North-Western Peru (on the Pacific coast). They are the most common type of pet parrotlet.
In the wild, Pacific Parrotlets are all green with a slightly dusty gray cast. There are many color mutations (including blue, dark blue, yellow, cinnamon, fallow, lutino, albino, white, dark green, and blue-fallow) that are highly sought after when purchasing these little creatures from breeders, however, wild mutated birds are quickly shunned from the flock and left to die as the color stands out and can attract predators. The feet and beaks of this pet parrotlet breed range in color from pinkish to light peach.
There are many reputable breeders in the US who have Pacific Parrotlets available for purchase. These parrotlets are about 5.5 inches in length and have spicy personalities.
2. Green Rumped Parrotlet
Green Rumped Parrotlets can be found throughout Brazil, Columbia, the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana), and Trinidad. They are the second most common pet parrotlet breed available in the US and are one of the smaller parrotlet types measuring about 3.5 to 4.7 inches.
The male Green Rumped Parrotlet is bright emerald green, and the underneath and tops of the wings are a beautiful and brilliant mix of cobalt blue and deep turquoise. Females are entirely green with yellow to yellow-green on the forehead. The beaks and feet are a pinkish color. There is only one color mutation in Green Rumped Parrotlets—yellow with dark eyes.
Several breeders offer Green Rumped Parrotlets for purchase in the US.
3. Spectacled Parrotlet
Coming in third among the most common pet parrotlet breeds is the Spectacled Parrotlet. They measure in at about 4.7 inches and are native to northern and central Colombia, Venezuela, and eastern Panama. This pet parrotlet breed was not available in the US until late 1992 when they were imported from Belgium.
Males are mostly deep or bright green with bright violet-blue around the eyes (in a distinctive ring), on the wings, and on the rump. Females are a slightly lighter shade of green lacking any blue coloring. The feet and beaks are light pinkish in color.
Spectacled Parrotlets are not as stubborn or feisty as Pacific Parrotlets making them a good option for children. They are, however, extremely active and like other parrotlet breeds can get bored quickly and easily.
This pet parrotlet breed isn’t as widely available in the US as the other two highlighted so finding a breeder might prove difficult.
Summary of Pet Parrotlet Breeds:
The three types of parrotlets most commonly kept as pets in the US are the Pacific Parrotlet, the Green Rumped Parrotlet, and the Spectacled Parrotlet. They all have feisty, fun personalities and can make wonderful companion birds. These beautiful birds are small in size and don’t require a lot of space. They are also relatively quiet and lovable when hand-weaned and raised by a reputable breeder.
What breed of pet parrotlet do you have, or are you interested in getting as your next pet? Let us know in the comments below!
