cobalt-blue on their primary wing feathers while the secondaries are tur­ quoise. They are the only species of parrotlet which lacks blue on the Identifying Forpus Parrotlets rump. They are sweet, gentle birds which make exceptional pets. There bySandee and Robert Molenda are four subspecies ofGreen-rumped. Santa Cruz, California Forpus passerinus viridissimus is found on the islands of Trinidad and Jamaica as well as northern Venezuela orpus parrotlets comprise one of western Peru. The males have a to northern Columbia. The males are Ethe world's smallest genera of par­ cobalt-blue streak of feathers extend­ darker forest green and have a deeper rots. Often confused with species ing backward from the eye as well as shade of blue than the nominate spe­ from the genus Brotogeris, they are cobalt-blue on the rump and wings. cies. There is no difference between more closely related to the genus Many females also have an eye streak the females. While not as aggressive Amazona. There are seven species of but it is light turquoise or emerald as Pacifics, this subspecies is much these parrotlets: Green-rumped, green. They also have dark green more bold than the species found in Pacific, Blue-winged, Spectacled, backs and wings with light green Guyana. This subspecies is rather Mexican, Sclater's (Dusky-billed) and feathers on the face. Occasionally, common in aviculture. Yellow-faced. Many of these have Pacific hens will have a blue rump but Forpus passerinus cyanophanes, more than one subspecies. They are normally it is emerald green. Inter­ native to northern Columbia, has more primarily found in Columbia, Brazil, estingly, the rump color is not cobalt­ dark blue feathers on the upper wing Venezuela, Equador, Peru, Argentina, blue as in the males but deep tur­ which forms a patch of color that can Bolivia, Paraguay, Guyana and vari­ quoise. These hens often pass this trait be seen when the wing is folded. The ous Caribbean islands. The Mexican on to their daughters. While there are female is indistinguishable from Parrotlet is the only species not found no known subspecies of Pacific p. passerinus. in South America but is native to Parrotlets, many breeders believe Forpus passerinus cyanochlorus is northwestern Mexico and the Tres these birds could be an unrecognized found only near the upper Branco Marias Islands. subspecies. River in northern Brazil. In this sub­ All species of parrotlets are sexually Pacific Parrotlets are certainly the species, the male is very similar to the dimorphic. Females are generally most fearless as well as curious of the nominate. It is the females who differ green with various shades of yellow Forpus species. They are also in their overall plumage which is whereas males have beautiful blue extremely territorial, especially the much more yellow especially on the coloring on their wings, rumps and females. They should be kept either rump and underparts. heads. Identification of the male of a alone or not more than one pair to a Forpus passerinus deliciosus is species is based upon the particular cage. If given a chance, they will also native to northern Brazil along the shade of blue he possesses. The attack much larger birds. Handfed banks of the Amazon. The males are females are more difficult to identify babies make wonderful pets if placed the only subspecies of Green-rumped so attention must be paid to small in a home right after weaning and to have their rump feathers tinged details such as subtle changes in the handled regularly. Being highly intelli­ with light blue. Females have more shades ofyellow and green feathers. gent, they can be taught to do tricks. yellow feathers between the eyes than Identification of parrotlet species is Both males and females can learn to p. passerinus. This is another subspe­ simplified by the process of elimina­ talk, however, they will never have cies which may be found in aviculture tion. Pacific, Green-rumped and Spec­ the vocal abilities of their larger although not as frequently as the nom­ tacled Parrotlets all have horn-colored Amazon cousins. Female Pacifics tend inate species or viridissimus. beaks and legs. Yellow-faced also to be more dominant than the males. Mexican Pariotlets Forpus xanthop­ have horn-colored beaks and legs, but As with most parrots, domestically­ terygius are found in northwestern their beaks contain a thin black line raised pairs are much easier to breed Mexico. They are one of the larger which runs the length of the beak tl1an imports. Indeed, it is not unusual species of parrotlet with an average from cere to tip. Mexican and Blue­ for a pair to begin setting up house­ weight of 40 grams. The males have winged Parrotlets have gray beaks keeping at six or seven months but brilliant bright turquoise on the rump and legs, but Mexican hens' beaks do they should not be allowed to breed and wings. Females have dark green not turn gray until they are in breeding until one year ofage. heads, backs and wings with yellow­ condition. The upper beak is gray in Another common species, Green­ green on the wings, face and under­ Sclater's, the lower is horn-colored rumped Parrotlets Forpus passerinus parts. These birds are different from and their legs are gray. are the smallest, weighing around 22 other parrotlets in a variety of ways. The Pacific or Celestial Parrotlet grams. They are native to Guyana and Most parrotlets are energetic and play­ Forpus coelestis is the most well­ have a delicate, streamlined body with ful and constantly engaged in activity. known and popular species of parrot­ a small beak in proportion to their Mexican Parrotlets, on the other hand, let in aviculture. They are approxi­ heads. Predominantly apple-green, lead a sedentary life that could almost mately five inches in length and weigh the females have a patch of yellow be tenned lethargic. Picky eaters, they around 30 grams. In the wild, they are feathers between their eyes, above often ignore soft foods, preferring found from western Equador to north- their nostrils. The males have bright, sunflower and hemp seed. Other par- afa WATCHBIRD 55 rotlets have voracious appetites while Mexicans eat very little. They are diffi­ cult and frustrating to breed. Unlike other species, they will not double­ clutch and often only produce a clutch every other year. Even the incubation period is longer in Mexicans - 24 days instead of 20. Most Mexicans will only breed in a colony situation of more than three pairs. They are the only parrotlets that can be kept in a colony. They have the sweetest, most gentle personality of all the parrotlets. Many handfed babies, who are now breeders, con­ tinue to allow handling years after being paired. If treated gently, even the untamed ones rarely bite. Due to their limited numbers and low rate of breeding success, these birds should not be sold into the pet trade but only to other breeders. The International Parrotlet Society is gathering informa­ tion to begin a studbook for Mexican Parrotlets. There are two subspecies ofthese birds. Year Round, Nationwide Shipping Forpus cyanopygius pallidus ranges from southeastern Sonora to north­ Guaranteed Live Delivery western Mexico. In both males and (800) 735-8537 females the plumage is lighter green with a gray tinge and the underparts more yellow than in the nominate. Forpus cyanopygius insularis is found only on the Tres Marias Islands ThE GATEWAy PARROT Club, INC. off the coast of western Mexico. They PRoudly PRESENTS are considered rare and have only been sighted on two of the four THE GATEWAY islands. A recent expedition to Maria Madre produced several encounters ALL-AMERICAN with these parrotlets, including a flock HOOKBILL SHOW of 20. They were last reported on this island in 1925. This subspecies has a L..-::'=:':::':':=:"::"';';"--J® AuGUST 27m & 28m, 1994 dark green head, back and wings as well as blue-green underparts. The FEATURING* SEMINARS* face is yellow-green and the males' * LARGE BIRD SALE ROOM * LINDA GREESON rumps and wings are darker blue than * BIG BIRD RAFFLE * DR. PETER SAKAS, D.V.M. in the nominate species. * COMMERCIAL EXHIBITORS Another large species, the Blue­ winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthoptery­ • CASH • RIBBONS • TROPHIES • gius is often confused with Mexican Parrotlets. Blue-wingeds are sleek, MEET US AT THE ST. CHARLES EXHIBITION HALL, streamlined birds, while Mexicans are LOCATED IN THE MARK TWAIN MALL, ST. CHARLES, MO stocky and round. They range from Paraguay and northeastern Argentina through eastern Brazil. Males have STAY ATTHE BEAUTIFUL BUDGETEL INN. SPONSORED BY: dark violet-blue on the rump and FOR RESERVATIONS CALL; 314-946-6936. .. wings. Females have green-yellow feathers on the face between the eyes • TO RESERVE COMMERCIALSPACE ••"1 and yellow underparts. Blue-wingeds CALL GLENNA JONES 314-389-4766 aD!1~. tend to be nervous birds and even OR CAROL FIELD 314-385-0323 L & M ANIMAL FARMS handfed babies are easily disturbed once they are weaned. They would not make good pets, which is fortun- 56 May / June 1994 Male Pacific Parrotlets have a cobalt-blue streak extending backfronl the .. eye as well as cobalt-blue on the run'lp and wings. Pacific Parrotlets (Forpus coelestis) are the n'lost C01nn'lOn found in the U.S. Here the nlale (right) andfenlaIe sit in the nest box with a newly hatched baby. Male Spectacled Parrotlets (Forpus conspicillatus) areperhaps the nlost brilliantly colored with bright blue-oiolet on the Wings, runlp and encircling the eyes. Parrotlets are sexually din'lorphic. 1befen'lale is usually allgreen as in this Pacific Parrotlet hen. Green-runlped Parrotlet (Forpuspasserinus viridissin'lus) nlales lack the blue coloring as on the runlp ofother n'laleparrotlets.