Parrotlet
| Parrotlet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A pet male Pacific parrotlet (Forpus coelestis) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Tribe: | Arini |
| Genera | |
Parrotlets are a group of the smallest New World parrot species, comprising several genera, namely Forpus, Nannopsittaca, and Touit. They have stocky builds and short tails and are endemic to Middle and South America.[1]
In the wild, parrotlets travel in flocks ranging in size from about four to over a hundred birds. Most species travel in flocks of about five to forty. They form lifelong, tight pair bonds with their chosen mates.
Parrotlets are the smallest parrot species commonly bred in captivity. The genus Forpus, particularly the celestial or Pacific parrotlet, is growing in availability and popularity in aviculture due to their size .
Behavior
Personality & Behavior. If left alone for too long, a single parrotlet can lose some of its companion-ability. The Pacific parrotlet, in particular, does not understand that it is a tiny bird, and has little trouble challenging other animals and humans. Parrotlets in general are feisty, affectionate, and willful. If someone wants a great companion they should keep only one bird, because a pair of parrotlets will probably bond closely to each other to the exclusion of the owner. However, parrotlets are dimorphic and easy to pair up, and they do enjoy each other’s company. They can also be kept peaceably in groups in large aviaries, but it’s best to keep them separate from other species. They will quibble and fight over object and territory, so keep that in mind.
Parrotlet species
The following species within three genera are considered to be parrotlets:
Forpus
- Mexican parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius)
- Green-rumped parrotlet (Forpus passerinus)
- Blue-winged parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius)
- Turquoise-winged parrotlet (Forpus spengeli)
- Large-billed parrotlet (Forpus crassirostris)
- Spectacled parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus)
- Dusky-billed parrotlet or Sclater's parrotlet (Forpus modestus)
- Pacific parrotlet or celestial parrotlet (Forpus coelestis)
- Yellow-faced parrotlet (Forpus xanthops)
Touit
The Touit parrotlets are a genus of parrotlets found in the Venezuela-Guyana area, the northern Andes, and Bahia. Only three of the seven species have ever been brought into aviculture, none successfully.
- Lilac-tailed parrotlet (Touit batavicus)
- Scarlet-shouldered parrotlet (Touit huetii)
- Red-fronted parrotlet (Touit costaricensis - sometimes included in T. dilectissimus)
- Blue-fronted parrotlet or red-winged parrotlet (Touit dilectissimus)
- Sapphire-rumped parrotlet (Touit purpuratus)
- Brown-backed parrotlet (Touit melanonota)
- Golden-tailed parrotlet (Touit surdus)
- Spot-winged parrotlet (Touit stictopterus)
Nannopsittaca
There are only two species in the genus Nannopsittaca.
- Tepui parrotlet (Nannopsittaca panychlora)
- Manu parrotlet or Amazonian parrotlet (Nannopsittaca dachilleae)