Just what is a parrotlet?

If you asked some of your friends, many of them would say they don't know what a parrotlet is. Well, a parrotlet is a tiny bird with a whole lot of attitude!

People who want a bird with a large parrot personality, without the large parrot, need not look further. The parrotlet is no bigger than a budgie, being approximately 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches and weighing about 28 grams.

I asked my friend, Chocokat8, about parrotlets:

Obvious29: Do you know what a parrotlet is?
Chocokat8: Yes, it is a small parrot.
Obvious29: Can you tell me about them?
Chocokat8: Well, They're pretty cool, they love toys, you can teach them to talk, and they come in different colours . . . and they eat your vegetables!

Hand-fed parrotlets make wonderful pets and quickly become members of the family. Being very intelligent birds, they can be taught to do tricks and can learn to talk. Parrotlets kept as single birds make the best pets because one parrotlet often becomes dominant over the other and may become possessive, and pick on the other parrotlet.

A parrotlet's diet should include a seed mix, fresh fruit, vegetables, and cuttlebone and water should be available to them at all times. They should not be kept in a cage any smaller than 18" by 18", because they are so active.

Obvious29: You've seen my Parrotlet, Tiki, so what do you have to say about her?
Chocokat8: Tiki has learned to say her name, seems to enjoy catching flies, and taking baths in her water dish. Overall, she's a pretty friendly bird who gets along with people.
Obvious29: When was the first time you learned what a parrotlet was?
Chocokat8: Well, I knew what a parrot was, but you didn't know what a parrotlet was until you got one. Even then I thought it was a budgie.
Obvious29: What are some differences between budgies and parrotlets?
Chocokat8: Parrotlets look prettier and are easier to teach to talk, because they're parrots. They like more attention and need more space.

Thank you, Chocokat8.

To sum it all up, parrotlets are awesome birds. If you have any questions about parrotlets, and you think I can try to answer them, y-mail Obvious29.

I hope you've learned a lot about my favorite bird!
~Obvious29