Blue Naped Parrot General Info
These unique Philippines parrots are smart and inquisitive, and pretty popular, both in their home country and in other parts of the world. Their calm behavior and a plenty of lovable traits make them great as pets, especially when they’re hand reared. Long-lived, affectionate and interesting, these striking parrots will make a great companion- sometimes even for more than one family generation. The Blue Naped Parrot is also known as Pikoy, Luzon Parrot, or Philippine Green Parrot.
With a long lifespan and a charming personality, Blue Naped Parrot is a good candidate for a companion parrot.
Native Region/Natural Habitat
Blue Naped Parrot is native to the Philippines, spanning from Luzon and Mindoro to Talaud islands and small parts of Borneo. The Philippines are large and offer a variety of habitats, in which these parrots easily thrive. They nest in light growths – forest edges, plantations, sparse growth, and regional woodlands. Flocks are unusually small for parrots and number up to a dozen birds. Sometimes they are seen feeding on crops, which creates a problem with the local populace.
Overall Description
A close cousin of the famous Great Billed parrot, and belonging to the same family, the Blue Naped Parrot does share some similarities. Nevertheless, it has a host of unique details that make it easy to recognize. The adults reach an average length of 12 inches (31 centimeters) and can weigh around half a pound (230 grams). You will notice their slender build and a powerful head and beak – unique for this family. Their feathers are sleek and soft, giving them a sharp and elegant appearance.
Speech and Sounds
The Blue Naped Parrot is a moderately quiet breed. Although inquisitive by nature, these birds have a docile temperament, so they won’t be overly vocal and excitable as some pet parrots. One of their lovelier features is the ability to mimic and repeat common words. With a bit of patience, you can easily teach your pet to repeat short phrases, and they will pick this up with a natural ability. They will also chatter quietly to themselves, mumbling thing in an attempt to mimic human speech. This always results in a hilarious show.
Colors
The tropical colors of their plumage only contribute to the elegant appearance of the Blue Naped Parrot. Their body is mainly green, with noticeably lighter shades on the chest and belly. The dark green head features a large light blue patch on the top, giving them their name. As a contrast, the wings are dark green, bordered with a lot of thick yellow edges, creating an interesting but subtle pattern. And of course, one of the most prominent details is the bright red beak. It goes without saying that this unique combination of colors makes Blue Naped Parrot a truly stunning bird.
The Blue Naped Parrot is a moderately quiet breed that does well in spacious apartments.
Care and Feeding
In the wild, the diet of this parrots is humble, consisting of berries, fruits, and seeds. For your pet, a good mix of small seeds will be great, including oats, canary, safflower, and millet. Another important part of care is exercise. In addition, you should avoid small cages and lack of free flight – they will only lead to trouble. Lack of freedom results in apathy and loneliness, which can significantly shorten a bird’s lifespan. Providing a lot of social interaction will help create a bond and bring out your pet’s good sides.
Health and Common Conditions
All parrots in the Tanygnathus family are known for their hardy health and adaptability. Hand-reared birds are especially easy to care for and bond more deeply with owners. A balanced hygiene, optimal living conditions, and exercise will all contribute to a healthy and long-lived pet parrot. To satisfy the inquisitive nature of the Blue Naped Parrot, provide a lot of parrot chewable toys, ropes, and perches. It stimulates their bright mind and saves the furniture to boot!
These docile parrots approach new situations with a calm and shy attitude. But the inquisitive nature keeps them going forward.
Personality & Behavior
As soon as your Blue Naped Parrot gets to know you and relaxes in your company, you will be charmed by their funny and often silly behavior – the goofy chatting and word mimicry. They can also be affectionate when they want and will enjoy a good belly rub. Hearing them chatter away or spend hours on end playing with one of their toys is bound to put a smile on your face. The relative ease of care and amiable personality make these parrots great pets for families of all shapes and size! Just have in mind their very long lifespan and the fact they’ll probably outlive you- and arrange for their lifelong care.
Photo credit: Zuzana Gabrielova/Shutterstock; lonelyshrimp/WikimediaCommons; Loro Parque Fundación/Oriental Bird Images
