. 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 |
- 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:
- Length: Approx. 380 - 420 mm (or approx. 15 - 17
inches). Tail may be half total body length.
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo above -
top right of page. (Click on photo to enlarge).
- 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
Top of - ringnecked parrot - Page |