Parakeet - Princess of Wales

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Princess Parrot, Queen Alexandra Parrot, Queen Alexandra's Parakeet, Spinifex Parrot, Rose Throated Parrot, Yellow Princess Parrot Scientific Name: Polytelis alexandrae

Basic Info

A medium sized parrot, the Princess of Wales Parakeet measure approximately 15.5 inches (40 centimeters) at maturity. There are three popular color mutations of the Princess of Wales. These are the Lutino, Albino, and Blue mutations. Some report that the Blue mutation is even more beautiful than the normal Green. The natural, or 'normal' color is Green. For normals, they have olive colored plumage on their bodies, and their wings have lovely bright green bands on them. Their faces are colorful with pastel blue washed foreheads and pink cheeks. Their necks and upper-chests are also rose colored making them very beautiful. They are sexually dimorphic; hence males and females can be distinguished visually. Males have longer tail feathers than females, and the males generally have brighter coloring than females. For example, the male has a bright blue head, and the female's head is a more muted grey-blue color. The male has a coral red beak, while the female's is more of a wine color. Another unusual way to distinguish between the sexes is with eye coloring. The male has an orange iris, while the female's is much browner. In addition to the normal and the three color mutations, there are also some color variations such as the Red Princess of Wales.

Health

The Princess of Wales Parakeet enjoys spending time on the ground, and for this reason it may be prone to fungal infections and worms. It should be wormed regularly (every 6 months), and good regular cleaning of the cage or aviary is a must. This parrot may also be susceptible to eye infections and scaly face mite. The Princess of Wales Parakeet does very well in a large aviary that allows plenty of room for flight. Breeding The Princess of Wales Parakeet is bred regularly in captivity, and females will reach sexual maturity some time before they are one year old. Males reach sexual maturity somewhat later, usually by two years of age. Breeding season in captivity will usually begin in September and is marked by the calls of the females to the males. Breeding season generally ends in December. This is the same as their breeding season in the wild. Breeding season is often influenced by rains. The average clutch size ranges from 3 to 6 eggs. The incubation period lasts for 18 to 20 days. Males do not participate in brooding. It should be noted that breeding seasons may be different depending on the area in which you are raising them. Some hobbyists report that breeding season will begin in March. It has been reported that the Princess of Wales Parakeet breeds particularly well if kept in a colony setting.

Habitat

Common in relatively dry areas, grass savannahs, and scrublands

Behavior

The Princess of Wales Parakeet is a favorite among many aviculturists and pet owners. It has a lovely personality in addition to striking good looks. The Princess of Wales Parakeet is often described as relatively quiet and passive, but they are by no means shy. The have a reputation for hardiness and may be a good choice for a beginning aviculturist. In the wild, they are most often seen in small groups or pairs, though reports of larger flocks have been reported on occasion. While this parrot may be considered quiet when compared to some of the larger parrots, it is quite capable of producing large amounts of noise, and may not be suitable for all households. The Princess of Wales Parakeet is quite intelligent and some will even talk and mimic whistles.

Origin

Australia

History

The Princess Parrot is native to Central and Western Australia and is most common in relatively dry areas, grass savannahs, and scrublands. They seem partial to areas with eucalyptus, casuarinas, and acacia trees. Sadly, they are becoming quite rare in the wild and their numbers seem to be dwindling. The Princess of Wales Parakeet was named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who later married the Prince of Wales Edward the VII and she eventually became the Queen of England. They have been bred in captivity for a long time, and the earliest written record dates back to 1899.

Common Foods

N/A