Ringnecked Parrot
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. ringnecked parrot
This page is Sponsored By:
Burwood Pets & Birds
1415 Toorak Rd, Camberwell Vic. 3124
A selection of Ringnecked Parrots are in stock
Can be pets or breeder birds.
Phone (03) 9809 1212
    ringnecked parrot pair photo
  • An Asiatic Parrot   (Click on photo to enlarge) (Nesting pair-hen has damaged tail and wing feathers)
  • Scientific Name:  Psittacula krameri manillensis
  • Common Name/s:  RINGNECKED  PARROT INDIAN RINGNECKED PARROT,  Indian Ring-necked Parrot,  Indian  Ring-necked Parakeet;  ROSE RINGED PARAKEET.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin:  3
  • Origin / Distribution:   India, Sri Lanka and Indo Burmese region to Cochin-China
  • Habitat In Wild:  Originally in wooded or forested areas but have adapted to live in farmland and cultivated agricultural areas and urban parks and gardens.
  • Status In Wild:  Secure
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Common, although pure breeding green "normal" colour birds may be extremely hard to find.
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  About 24 to 30 months.
  • Adult plumage: Attained at about 30 - 36 months
  • Best breeding years (estimate):  3 years onwards
  • Lifespan (estimate):  Approx. 15 or more years.  They are long lived and 25 - 30 years is not unreasonable. 
  •  Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic (Except some of the colour mutations).  Male has a "collar" but this may take 2 years to become evident. Young birds may require surgically sexing or DNA testing to accurately determine the sex.  In some colour mutations the collar is not seen on the male.  Full adult plumage is attained by about 3 years.
  • Colour mutations:  Many.  Probably 30 or more.  Genetically "normal" green coloured birds are hard to acquire.  Most birds carry a colour mutation.
  • Availability:  Ringnecked parrots are available from Pet shops and bird dealers.
  • Temperament:  Have been kept as pets for over 1000 years.  One of the most widely held parrots in Australia.  One of the most hardy birds held in captivity, almost always look good, and makes a good bird for those wanting to start breeding larger parrots.  They are generally good parents.  Best kept as one pair per aviary.  They are not suitable for a mixed collection.  Pet birds can learn to talk or repeat words.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $80 - $100.  Colour mutations can cost over $1000.
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx. 380 - 420 mm (or approx. 15 - 17 inches). Tail may be half total body length.
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo above - top right of page. (Click on photo to enlarge).
  3. Weight: Approx. 130 - 140 gms (or approx  5 ozs)

Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements: Refer to " Housing Birds " web page for general details on the housing of Non Australian Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.

Ringnecked parrots are hardy birds once established in an aviary.  A suitable shelter area is needed to provide protection from cold winds, drafts and rain.  About one third of aviary a covered shelter area, one third covered with clear or opaque corrugated roofing material and the rest can be left uncovered to allow access to sun and rain.  Require large aviary of up to 5 metres (16 feet) in total length.  900 mm (3 feet) wide should be the minimum width with up to 1200 mm ( 4 feet) being ideal.  Perches or branches placed at both ends of the aviary helps to prevent collisions or impacts into the ends of the aviary.  Construction should be a steel frame with heavy duty wire netting.  They love to chew on timber.  Best breeding results with one pair per aviary.

One pair of Ringnecked parrots per aviary.  Not suitable for a mixed species collection.  Minimum aviary size should be no less than 2 metres long.

Young Ringnecked parrots can usually be left with the parents for up to 6 months.

It is possible to keep 2 pairs in a large aviary but both pairs should be introduced at the same time.  Better results are gained with only one pair per aviary. There is no strong pair bonding and pairs can be split up and  re-paired fairly easily. They should live amicably with other large parrots.

Non-toxic leafy branches can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced regularly. The birds will chew any flowers and fruiting bodies on the branches.

Diet / Feeding: Refer to " Feeding Birds " web page for general details on the feeding of Non Australian Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.

Ringnecked parrots are easy to feed and they like to have a variety of fruits and vegetables as part of a regular food intake.  Ringnecked parrots require a Basic seed mix of grey sunflower, budgie mix and oats.

The food requirements are seed based including canary seed, white millet, oats, and sunflower along with a variety of fruits such as apple and orange and a variety of vegetables such as corn, corn-on-the-cob, carrot and celery.  Green foods are essential including seeding grasses, green leafy vegetables and sprouted or soaked seed if available.  Pine nuts and peanuts can be offered.

Commercial parrot pellets and dry dog food can form part of a balanced food intake.

The birds may consume insects such as mealworm larvae, pupa and beetles, especially during the breeding season.  Insects are a good source of easily digested protein for the adults and the young.

Corn-on-the-cob is a favourite and commonly fed to these birds.  Calcium supplies such as cuttlefish, shell grit, crushed oyster shell or calcium blocks should always be available.  They love chewing on branches.

Nesting: A basic overview only.  Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences.  Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.  If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.  Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.  If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

  • Nesting months: 
  • Log / Nest-box:
    • Length / depth 500 - 600 mm (or approx. 20 - 24 inches)
    • Log internal diameter approx. 200 - 250 mm (or approx. 8 - 10 inches)
    • Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 230 mm square (or approx. 9 inches square)
    • Diameter of entrance hole approx. 75 mm (or approx. 3 inches)
    • Inspection hole (square or round) 100 - 125mm (or approx  4 - 5 inches)
    • A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
    • Location and height of log / nest-box = in a sheltered part of the aviary and at about 1.5 - 1.8 metres height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat problems in the hotter months.
    • Angle of log or nest box =  45 degrees through to vertical.  Usually vertical or near vertical.
  • Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
  • Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

Ringnecked parrots require a solid deep log or thick timber nest box.  Timber nest boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole.  Both types of nests need an opening of about 75 mm diameter and about 100 -150 mm from the top.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year .. usually 1, occasionally 2.  Eggs per nest 4 - 6.  Incubation approx. 21 - 24 days.  Fledge approx. 7 - 8 weeks.  Independent approx. another 3 - 4 weeks.

First official breeding in South Australia was in 1934/35.
Ringnecked Parrots can hybridize with other Asiatic Parrots such as the Alexandrine Parrot and the Moustached Parrot.

Artificial incubation of the first clutch of eggs and the hand-raising of the young can result in an additional clutch of young being produced. The hen will often lay another clutch of eggs if the first clutch is removed.

Ringnecked Parrots will allow nest inspections and allow the young to be leg rung.  Placing of a closed metal leg ring on the young is essential for the accurate recording of the genetic background of each bird.

Special care should be taken to ensure adequate food is available while young are in the nest.  Generally Ringnecked parrots are excellent parents.

Hand reared or young taken straight from the nest can become very tame and may learn to talk.  When in good health,  Ringnecked parrots present well with perfect feather condition.

As most pairs only have one clutch per season, it is generally safe to leave the young in the same aviary as the parents after they become independent.  If the parent birds want to try for a second clutch they may not want the youngsters in the same aviary.  If aggression from a parent bird occurs, the young must be immediately removed to another aviary. 

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues:  Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References:  Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

A guide to Asiatic Parrots, their mutations, care & breeding.  Revised edition,  1997.  Publisher Australian Birdkeeper Publications.  Authors Syd & Jack Smith.

  • Australian Aviculture
  • A/A Vol 52 No. 5 May 1998 Page 114- 115
  • A/A Vol 49 No. 5 May 1995 Page 119-121
  • A/A Vol 37 No. 10 Oct 1983 Page 232-233 (Inc photo)
  • A/A Vol 34 No. 9 Sept 1980 Page 174-176
  • A/A Vol 29 No. 6 Jun 1975 Page 81-82
  • A/A Vol 28 No. 3 Mar 1974 Page 41-48 (Inc photo)
  • A/A Vol 28 No. 1 Jan 1974 Page 4-6
  • A/A Vol 22 No 10 Oct 1968 Page 149-154 (Inc colour plate).
  • A/A Vol 21 No. 10 Oct 1967 Page134, 143.
  • A/A Vol 19 No 2 Feb 1965 Page 22-23.
  • A/A Vol 14 No. 8 Aug 1960 Page 113-114.
  • A/A Vol 14 No 1 Jan 1960 Page 1-2, 14 (Inc colour plate).
  • A/A Vol 11 No 8 Aug 1957 Page 114.
  • A/A Vol  8 No 4 Apr 1954 Page 41-42.
  • A/A Vol  5 No 10 Oct 1951 Page 124.
  • A/A Vol  4 No 4 Apr 1950 Page 51-52.
  • A/A Vol  1 No 12 Dec 1947.
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 18 Issue 9. Jun-Jul 2005 Page 544-546 (new colour mutations).
  • ABK Vol 16 Issue 8 Apr-May 2003 Page 451-452.
  • ABK Vol 16 Issue 7 Feb-Mar 2003 Page 375-376.
  • ABK Vol 14 Issue 12. Dec-Jan 2002 Page 708-709.
  • ABK Vol 10 Issue 11. Oct-Nov 1997 Page 556-557
  • ABK Vol 10 Issue 9. Jun-July 1997 Page 453-455
  • ABK Vol 10 Issue 8. Apr-May 1997 Page 385-386
  • ABK Vol 10 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1997 Page 340-341
  • ABK Vol  8 Issue 9. Jun-July 1995 Page 426-427
  • ABK Vol  1 Issue 6 1989 Page 174-177
  • ABK Vol  1  Issue 6. 1989 Page 177-178
  • ABK Vol  1  Issue 2. Dec-Jan 1988 Page 56-57

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