CANARY WINGED PARAKEET
- OTHER NAMES: Yellow winged parakeet, BB, Cherokee parakeet
- Scientific Name: Brotogeris versicolurus
- Native Region:South America
- Size:Small, 10 inches
- Life Expectancy:up to 15 years
- Noise Level:Moderate
- Talk / Trick Ability:Fair
Canary Winged Parakeet if trained and talked to them often can learn to repeat few words. The canary-winged parakeet is known for its agility and enjoys spending time hanging upside down on a play gym, or cage. They are also affectionate. These pet birds like to play, so provide them with a variety of choice of toys rotated often.
Description
The white-winged parakeet typically is 22 cm in length, and is mostly green in color. It has a trailing yellow edge on its folded wings. Its most distinguished characteristic is the white wing patches most noticed when the bird is in flight. It is closely related to the yellow-chevroned parakeet, and the two have often been considered conspecific.
Behaviour
In captivity, these are charming birds that often have a close relationship with their human handlers. They enjoy spending time in physical contact with their owners, often riding around on shoulders or nesting in hair. They can have loud calls when not within sight of their “flock”, but are generally quiet, otherwise. They are adept climbers and enjoy a myriad of challenges. They are a very adaptable species and are less picky than others about their available food options. They are not the strongest talkers, but are adept whistlers.
Food and feeding
The white-winged parakeet feeds mostly on fruit and seeds in its native habitat, and feral populations have adapted to take in blossoms and nectar. Feral birds also come to bird feeders. Wild birds primarily use disturbed forest and forest clearings around settlements. They rarely use deep tropical forest.
In captivity, a pelleted or seed diet is acceptable, supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables and freshly sprouted seeds.
Breeding
The white-winged parakeet usually finds a hole in a tree in which to nest. It may also take over termite tunnels and excavate them for their own purposes.
Clutches usually consist of three to five white eggs, which hatch after about 26 days of incubation. Young fledge between six and seven weeks of age, and are fully weaned around nine weeks. After raising their young, all birds form rather large communal roosts until the next breeding season.
