(Forpus Coelestis)

Common Names: Pacific Parrotlet, Celestial Parrotlet, Lucida Parrotlet, Pocket Parrot

Description: In the normal form the males and hens both have a bright apple green face and cheeks. The back is a darker green while the belly is a lighter shade of green. Males have cobalt blue streaks which extend from behind the eye following around the cheeks, on the wing converts and on the rump. Hens may show slight blue eye streaks but lackthe bright blue on the rump and wing convets.

Size: This is one of the smallest parrot species in the world. The average size for this species is 5 1/2 inches (14cm).

Origin: Pacific Parrotlets originate from western Ecuador and northern Peru.

Sexing: This species is easily sexed when fully feathered as males have cobalt blue streaks which extend from behind the eye following around the cheeks, on the wing converts and on the rump. Hens may show slight blue eye streaks but lackthe bright blue on the rump and wing convets. Lutino Pacifica Parrotlets can be sexed as the males have white wing convert which in other mutations are blue in color. Lutino Parrotlet hens will have yellow wing converts. Albinos are the only mutation not visualy sexable and have to be DNA sexed.

Mutations/Sub-species: There are several color mutations of Celestial Parrotlets which include American Yellow (Dilute), European Yellow (Pastel), Blue, Lutino, Fallow, Isabel (Cinnamon), Pied and Grey-Green. Some of these mutations can be combined to form other mutations such as American White, Albino, Fallow-Blue, Pastel Blue. Some Parrotlet mutations still only exist in Europe but Dilute, Pastel, Blue, Lutino, Albino and American White are available in North America.

Green-rumped Parrotlet (Forpus Passerinus)- one of the smallest species of the Parrotlets though not very colorful

Yellow-faced Parrotlet (Forpus Xanthops)- similar to Celestial Parrotlets but lighter in coloration with yellow face and cheek area

Blue wing Parrotlet- (Forpus xanthopterygius)- males have bright blue on upper and under wing coverts but no blue eye streak

Mexican Parrotlet- (Forpus cyanopygius)- the largest of the Parrotlet species also known as Turquoise-rumped Parrotlets

Spectacled Parrotlet- (Forpus conspicillatus)- males have blue ring around eye and hens have emerald green around the eyes

Sclater's Parrotlet- (Forpus sclater)- there are no known birds of this species in North America

Diet: A good Parrotlet diet consist of a mixture of canary seeds and millets along with safflower and some sunflower seeds. Sprouted seeds, kale, boiled egg, spray millet, brocolli, grated carrot, corn, chopped apple, grapes, mango can also be offered and are relished by most. They are not picky eaters and seem to be willing to try new foods given to them.

General Care: Pets should be supervised when out of the cage as they can easily be stepped on or get into other trouble if they have free range of the home.

Compatibility: Pacific Parrotlets are best kept as single pets or one pair per cage/aviary. Although they are small it is not wise to mix them with Finches, Canaries or other species. These little hookbills can be quite agressive towards other species of birds. They are also not very suitable for colony breeding as males get agressive towards others during the breeding season.

Housing: Parrotlets are not big but are very active birds so the more space you can offer them the better. I would say the min. cage space for a pair would be 24 x 16 x 16. They do best in temps between 60-85 degrees.

Song: This species doesn't sing but they can learn to talk. They are not noisy and do not squawk or scream like Lovebirds, Conures or other hookbills. Parrotlets have more of a finch like chirping-chatter which sounds somewhat like a minature Red Rump Parakeet. Their small size, quiet disposition and sweet personality makes them one of the most popular pet birds in aviculture currently.

Breeding: Most Pacific Parrotlets prove to be prolific breeders once pairs are established. Hens can lay 4-8 eggs which normaly have a good fertility ratio. Eggs hatch after 18 days of incubation. Babies are weaned and independent at about 5-6 weeks of age. We cage breed our pairs in 24 x 16 x16 breeder cages and give them a parakeet size nestbox with a concave bottom on the far side. Most babies are pulled at 10-14 days old to be handfed. Parrotlets make really great pets but the more you have the interaction it will take for them to remain tame.