Red-rumped Parakeet

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment15–25 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Respiratory issues · Obesity · Egg binding

The Red-rumped Parakeet (Psephotus haematonotus) is a slender grass parakeet from the plains of southeastern Australia, where the male is a glossy emerald-and-yellow bird with the namesake brick-red rump and the female a soft olive-grey. Pets weigh 50-70 g and live 15-25 years, and the male sings a genuinely pleasant, melodic warble. Red-rumps are peaceful, quiet and calm, one of the best choices for anyone who wants a colourful parakeet without the noise. They are not natural cuddlers and are usually kept as aviary or flight-cage birds, where a bonded pair will fly, forage and sing contentedly; hand-reared birds can become finger-tame with patience. Feed a small-parakeet seed mix and pellets heavily supplemented with sprouted seed, vegetables and leafy greens, and provide grit and cuttlebone. They love foraging on the aviary floor, so ground space and a low, wide layout suit them. With a long flight cage or planted aviary, a fresh varied diet and a calm environment these gentle grass parakeets thrive for many years and breed readily; overcrowding and damp are their main enemies.

• How much activity does a Red-rumped Parakeet need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Red-rumped Parakeet need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Red-rumped Parakeet need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Red-rumped Parakeet a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Red-rumped Parakeet live?

  15–25 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Red-rumped Parakeet?

  Keep an eye out for Respiratory issues, Obesity, Egg binding. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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