Lineolated, Catherine, or Barred Parakeet
Characteristics
Length: 17 cm (about 6 3/4 inches). Green with black shell-shaped markings on the head, neck, back, rump and along the wings. Feathers of the wings bordered with black. The smaller hen has the same black markings, although they are petite and less sharply defined. Eyes yellow-brown, beak gray-yellow, legs gray-black.
Social Behavior
Prefers to be kept in pairs or colonies. They do well in a community aviary and are basically very tolerant birds. When they become excited, they show their emotions by fanning their tail.
Diet
All parakeets and parrots need a large variety of fresh, healthy foods, whether on a pellet or a seed diet. Beneficial foods include dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, dandelions, and chard, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. Healthy table foods like cooked eggs, corn, beans, pasta, and rice can also be offered. Remove perishable foods after a few hours and at bedtime. Grit, gravel, and oyster shells should never be given. A seed-only diet will result in malnutrition. Eventually, a parakeet or parrot should become acclimated to a diet containing specially formulated pellets. An AVIAN vet can help with more information.
Cleaning
Tray liners should be replaced every day and the cage bottom, fittings and dishes regularly washed with hot water and soap. Once a month, disinfect the cage with diluted bleach and rinse thoroughly. Line the tray with black and white newspaper or paper towels. It is unsafe to use pine/cedar shavings, corn cob or walnut bedding.
Fertility
Hen lays 4-5 eggs in a nest box about 15 x 15 x 30 cm with 6 cm diameter entrance. Incubation time is about 22-23 days and the young leave the nest 38 days later. Although the male doesn’t brood, he is very involved and feeds his partner and later his young. The young are independent after about 6 weeks. The nest box will be used throughout the year as sleeping quarters.
Health
All parakeets and parrots should be examined by a qualified AVIAN vet at least once a year or ASAP if any bleeding, injuries, or other signs are noted. It can be hard to tell when a bird is ill, and by the time you notice a problem, the sickness is usually well-advanced. Delaying a visit with an AVIAN vet or using over-the-counter or human medicines may be fatal.
Warnings
All parrakeets and parrots have very sensitive respiratory systems and should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, aerosols, harsh cleaning products, or other toxic fumes.
