How to Care for the Plum-Headed Parakeet

The plum-headed parakeet is a small green parrot between 13 and 14 inches tall, which lives 20 years. The plum-head is native to Sri Lanka, India, West Pakistan, Eastern Napal and West Bengal. Plum-headed parakeets in the United States are popular pets. Male plum-heads have a red head, black ring around the neck and a bluish-green body. Female plum-heads have a gray head that fades into their yellow shoulder patch and then into their bluish-green body. The plum-head is an intelligent bird; however, it requires patience and plenty of social time with its owner. Plum-heads bond quickly with their owners, and will become tame rather easily with proper care and attention.

Things You'll Need

  • Large aviary
  • Nesting box
  • Toys
  • Ropes
  • Branches
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Canary food
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Whole-grain bread
  • Low-fat cheeses
  • Nuts
  • Fresh fruit
  • Fresh greens
  • Cuttle bone
  • Grit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a large aviary for the bird. The aviary needs to be no smaller than 10 feet by 10 feet for a single bird. Plum-headed parakeets climb and spend a lot of time high up in trees. A walk-in aviary is an appropriate enclosure for the plum-head. The space should be large enough for the bird to take flight and move around freely. Provide nesting boxes and a frost-free shelter during winter. Give plenty of toys, ropes and branches to prevent boredom, and to allow the plum-head to chew and entertain itself.

    • 2

      Give plenty of fruits and greens in the plum-head's diet. Plum-heads enjoy apples, hard-boiled eggs, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, whole-grain bread, low-fat cheeses and carrots. Provide soaked seeds such as sunflower seeds and canary food. Small amounts of millet and oats such as buckwheat and safflower should only be fed on occasion. Always have a cuttle bone and grit readily available at all times; the plum-head loves to chew.

    • 3

      Interact with the bird on a daily basis and pay attention to its needs. Constant human interaction keeps the plum-head from self-destructive behavior such as feather plucking. Talk to the bird when interacting to show affection. Plum-heads are not a vocal bird when it comes to talking; however, they will make high-pitched chirps and screams.