Red Bellied Parrot

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Scientific Name: Poicephalus rufiventris

Basic Info

Red Bellied Parrots usually reach maturity at 12 months of age, when they will be about eight and a half inches in length. Red Bellied Parrots have grayish brown wings, heads, and backs. The lower back has a blue tinge, although it is predominantly yellow-green. The breasts, under-wing coverts, and cheeks are washed with orange. The under-wing coverts and thighs are aqua green. Red Bellied Parrots have black periopthalmic rings and red irises. Their bills are black and their feet are gray. Sexing may be achieved visually; males have orange bellies and females have green bellies. Immatures both have orange coloration over their bellies.

Health

Red Bellied Parrots should be fed a good basic seed or pellet diet supplemented with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, including greenfood. Wood offered to your Red Bellied Parrot will probably be much appreciated, and plenty of exercise is important as well. They should be housed in a cage which allows plenty of room for moving around and playing. Breeding Red Bellied Parrots should usually be provided with a nest box of about two feet high and ten inches square, filled with wood shavings and peat moss. Generally, Red Bellied Parrots will not breed until they are between three and four years of age. Breeding season usually occurs in the winter months. The average clutch consists of about four eggs laid over about eight days, and the incubation is achieved by the female alone. This lasts about 28 days, and by nine weeks of age the young Red Bellied Parrots are ready to leave the nests. Between 12 and 14 weeks of age, they will be fully independent.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

Often considered to be the show-offs of the parrot world, the Red Bellied Parrot is often not as shy as other parrots, and some owners report that their birds will talk even more in the presence of company than they do when they are at home with people they know. In the wild, Red Bellied Parrots live in small groups or pairs. Although quieter than many parrots, Red Bellied Parrots are good talkers and can produce a variety of noises and sounds, both learned and instinctive. Although shy at times, Red Bellied Parrots are easily excited by new people and may talk excessively to attract attention! They are affectionate and loving with people they are familiar with and love attention. Once Red Bellied Parrots are acclimated, they become quite hardy. Before they are comfortable with their new handlers, they may be quite shy and some have even died flying into the mesh walls of their cages. After they settle in, Red Bellied Parrots become quite hardy and confiding. New birds should be allowed temperatures warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit, but after they are settled, they may be kept at temperatures as low as 50 degrees.

Origin

Africa

History

The Red Bellied Parrot was first officially noted in 1845 by Ruppell. These birds are naturally occurring in eastern Africa, from central Ethiopia to northern Tanzania. Although wild caught birds may be shy, flighty, or reserved, captive bred and raised Red Bellied Parrots usually have sweet, confiding personalities and will seek out human attention and company.

Common Foods

They eat fruits, seeds, and grain, living in woodlands or savannas.