Red Rump Parakeets
(Psephotus Haematonotus)
Common Names: Red Rump Parakeet, Red Rump
Description: This species is mainly a dull green in hens. The male is is a darker green on the back with a bright green covering the head, chest and upper tail coverts. There is a blue suffusion on the mantle and primary wing coverts and a bright red rump on the male birds. I have seen hens with a few faint red feathers on the rump but normaly it molts out as they mature. The underbelly of both sexes is yellow but more pronounced on the male Red Rump Parakeets. The eyes are dark and the legs are flesh colored.
Size: The average size for this species is 10 inches (25cm).
Origin: Red Rump Parakeets originate from Southeastern Australia.
Mutations/Sub-species: Red Rumps come in a variety of mutations. Take a look at the chart below.
Red Rump Genetics Chart
|
Mutation
|
Genetic Inheritance
|
|
Normal (Wild Type)
|
Dominant
|
|
Australian Cinnamon
|
Sex-linked Recessive
|
|
UK Cinnamon ( Pallid, Lime, Yellow & Dilute)
|
Autosomal Recessive
|
|
Australian Blue
|
Autosomal Recessive
|
|
UK Blue (Pastel Blue, Par Blue, Dilute Blue)
|
Autosomal Recessive
|
|
Australian Platinum
|
multiple allemorph with lime-platinum-lutino
|
|
Lutino |
Sex-linked Recessive
|
|
Opaline
|
Sex-linked Recessive
|
|
Pied
|
Autosomal Recessive
|
|
Fallow
|
Autosomal Recessive
|
Sub-Species
Many-coloured or Mulga Parakeet (Psephotus Varius)- In many ways like a Red
Rump but more colorful..
Diet: A good Red Rump diet consist of mixed canary seeds, millets, and a small amount of sunflower seeds. A lot of people use a Parakeet mix and add in some Sunflower seeds. They also seem to be fond of Cockatiel mix. If you use a Cockatiel mix try to buy it without fillers such as maize or dog food as most cage birds won't eat these anyway. To condition our birds we coat the seed mixture with Wheat Germ Oil (1/2 tsp per pound of seed). It helps prevent egg binding and provides vitamins. Fresh water, cuttlebone, oyster shell and grit should be supplied at all times. We provide other supplements such as Petamine breeding formula (during breeding season) and Feather Up (while molting) in small treat cups. Lettuce, spinach, chickweed, peas, green beans, corn, spray millet, eggfood, soaked seed, apple, broccoli tops and carrot tops can also be offered on a regular basis. Be sure to wash all fruits & veggies before allowing birds to consume them!
General Care: These birds are fairly low maintence but provide bath water daily to keep feathers in good condition!
Compatibility: Red Rumps can be aggressive and are best kept alone or in single pairs.
Housing: They can be housed in breeding cages or aviaries. Red Rump Parakeets can tolerate low temperatures of 40 degrees if natualy aclimatized to it over a period of time but if they are suddenly removed for warmer temps and placed into cold climate they can become ill. I would suggest a minimum breeding cage space of 32 inches long x 20 inches high x 20 inches wide. We breed our Red Rumps in tier-style box cages made of 1 inch x 1/2 inch welded wire. Do not house them in round cages.
Song: Compared to most Parakeets, Red Rumps have a pleasant sounding call which could almost be considered a song. It is much softer than the sounds of Budgies (Parakeets) and can be very melodious and almost chime-like.
Breeding: Our experience with Red Rumps is that they are easy breeders and make good beginner birds for people just starting to breed Grass Parrakeets.They seem to prefer verticle nest boxes. We supply our Red Rumps with boxes 10in x 6in x 6in that have a concave bottom with a little aspen shavings so the eggs can not roll all over. When in breeding condition the male can be seen side stepping from one side of the perch to the other calling at the hen. Then he will raise to his full height, lean forward and fan his tail while bobbing his head. The male feeding the hen is a sure sign of eggs soon to come. After mating has taken place the hen will lay 4-6 eggs. For the most part the hen does the majority of the incubating while the male guards the nest. The male will relieve the hen to drink & eat or will feed her himself. Some males will at times incubate with the hen. The eggs hatch after 20-25 days of incubation and the babies are covered in a soft white down. Below is a photo of a baby. Red Rumps can and will breed all year if allowed so be sure to give them sufficient rest exspecially during hotter and colder months. I would only breed those which are 1-5 years of age. Baby Red Rumps can be pulled out of the nest at 3 weeks old in order to hand feed them. I see no reason why they need to be pulled before 3 weeks unless the parents are not careing for them correctly. If not pulled from the nest young birds will fledge at five weeks old and become independantly weaned at 7-8 weeks.
.
Price List: Below is the current pricelist on Red Rump Parakeets!
|
Mutation
|
Price
|
|
$65.00 Each
|
|
|
$75.00 Each
|
|
|
$85.00 Each
|
|
|
Lutino
|
$100.00 Each
|
|
Opaline
|
$200.00 Each
|
