Hi there,
I have a wonderful Celestial (Pacific) Parrotlet, Jester. I wondered if anyone else has parrotlets or if anyone has any interested in learning more about them. They are terrific pets and a good choice to consider for prospective first time Parrot Parents.
They are fairly new to the pet parrot scene, but gaining popularity because they are so charming, trainable and easy to care for. They also have the unique distinction of being the smallest true parrot(they are only about four inches tall), they don't screech, have loads of personality, come in many color variations and types and bond well with humans.
Would love to share about them.
I have attached two photos. They are not of my bird, though the blue and green one is the same varity.
p.s. They look a little bit like lovebirds (they both have short tails and are similar in size) but they are not related. The closest relatives are the Amazon Parrots. Parrotlets are indiginous to Mexico and South America (Celestials originally come from Peru). They are now domestically bred by responsible professional breeders.
Hello!
I had a parrotlet (female) for five years. She and I had an instant bond, and she loved to tease me. We would play several different games, and she was the one to mostly come up with new ones.
One day, I noticed she was losing her feathers , but she was not (at least at that time) picking at herself. I tried many dietary solutions, but sadly. regardless of the diet changes, she became a tiny bald bird! I had taken her to several different vets, but to no avail. Although featherless, she still seemed to be herself. Playful, attention seeking etc. The one thing I noticed was that she would pick through all her food and only eat the sunflower seeds. While they are a good part of her diet, they don't have enough protein to keep her daily allowances of all other needed nutrients. I removed most of the seeds from her diet, but she became cranky and resentful.
Several times a year, she would get an enlarged lower abdomen. The vet treated her with antibiotics, which seemed helpful at first. Then...She became listless, began a wholehearted picking at herself, (so I made her a tiny birdcape), but nothing was working to make her well. The last time her abdomen became swollen, I took her to a new avian vet. She explained that my "SweetPea" was attempting to produce eggs, but that they were getting lodged in her birthing canal, causing her to become septic.
Knowing that she would be trying to produce eggs for many years to come, we knew antibiotics would soon become ineffectual. We decided on a bird hysterectomy, to stop the process. She survived the surgery, but not the anesthesia. We lost her. I miss her every day of my life, and am looking for another someday soon.
Sweetpea was the greatest little friend a person can have! Although I have many other species of bird friends, she stands out as one of the best!
Critterlover
Critterlover, I'm so sorry you lost your baby. It is heartbreaking.
It is nice to "meet" another Parrotlet lover. They are catching on, but they are still not as common as one might expect for such personable, charming little fellows. I think their diminutive size is deceiving and people don't realize that they are true parrots, not parakeets, lovebirds or conures. Not to disparage those lovely birds. I was surprised myself at how clever and playful parrotlets are and that they have complex, large personalities for such little birds.
But they are fragile - easy to forget because, while tiny in stature, their attitudes are so big. I lost a parrotlet to a broken leg. He survived the anestesia and splinting of his leg (they used a wooden Q-Tip!), but he passed away during the following night. I don't know if it was shock or residual issues from the anesthesia, or if amputating the leg would have improved his chances of survival. He was feisty and had survived the night in the hospital cage I set up (since there was no emergency 24 hour vet we could see), the trip to the vet, the examination and the period during which we had to wait before his leg was set, the trip home, he objected to the medicine I gave him - in his characteristically endearing outrage at being restrained - and seemed to be eating, so I had hope that he could recover. I only can hope that we did everything possible for him. It hurt so to see him suffer and not be able to help. So many what ifs...
I hope, when your grieving process allows, you will find another parrotlet. No one will replace Sweetpea, but they do bring such joy into your life.
I'd love to hear about the games you played with her. I worry that Jester gets bored and frustrated and want to find ways to keep him happy, engaged, stimulated and for ways to deepen our bond.
Also, a year or so ago, he seemed under the weather and spent a few days in the hospital. Apparently, his bloodwork indicated that he might have injured himself (not sure how they determined that - he wasn't displaying any indication of injury, was just listless and sat with his eyes closed, his feathers all fluffed up). Anyway, that freaked me out. He did NOT enjoy the medicines I had to give him and ever since has not allowed me to pet him and scratch his head and neck. He'll still step up on my hand and sit on my arm and shoulder, but he's other wise hand shy, does not like to be held or touched and clearly feels insecure outside his cage - he doesn't even seem to enjoy his playset any more. I feel like he just doesn't trust me and I'm desperate to win that back. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Thanks!
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with the sudden loss of a parrotlet. After 10 years my little angel flew into something and seemed to have hit her head and she died. I am devastated and beside myself. This just happened last night and I don't know how to deal with this. I've had birds but never a parrotlet and never for this long and I am feeling sor horribly at fault for this. Any suggestions?
Oh, BirdieMom I am so terribly sorry to hear this I know how hurt you must feel. The parrotlet has become part of the family after such a long time -
There is nothing I can say. Just. Don't feel guilty. You took good care of her for 10 years and she had a wonderful life and accidents happen...
I am so sorry for your loss. These little birds are fierce and hardy, but fragile none the less. If you can, don't punish yourself. As Florence said, accidents do happen. It may not ease the pain of losing her, but at least you'll be able to enjoy the memories of your many happy years together. Take care...
Thank you so much Florence and Jesterbird. I guess since her personality was so big and fearless and so lively that I never dreamed that she could be so fragile for such a tiny little bird or that anything like that could ever happen. It hurts so much to lose a pet but and losing one so suddenly rather than to an illness is harder to accept. They are such a part of the family. Thank you again so much
I know it is very hard, BirdieMom. It will take some time to 'get used' to the empty place she has left behind and I agree with you that with accidents you don't have time to even consider the worst can happen...
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Perhaps I will start thinking about getting one once my situation allows for it. You most certainly raised my interest in them B)
I miss her every day of my life, and am looking for another someday soon.
