Red Winged Parrot General Info
These unique and interesting parrots will quickly grab your attention with their smart and inquisitive behavior. Although they are the most commonly seen as pets in Australia, bird owners all over the world cherish the company of Red Winged Parrot. And with very charming, distinct looks and energetic behavior, it’s no wonder they’re popular pets. After all, they are a ton of fun to be around! These little explorers will try their best to inspect every new thing that comes close and look goofy while doing it, too. Their rarity on the market might make them a bit expensive, but every price could be worth it when the pet parrot is as charming as this.
The Red Winged Parrot has charming, distinct looks and energetic behavior that makes him the star of any home.
Native Region/Natural Habitat
These parrots are native to a pretty large region, including north and east parts of Australia and southern New Guinea. They thrive in a variety of habitats, mostly woodlands consisting of Acacia, Callitris, Casuarina, Mangrove, and Eucalyptus. Their flocks are medium sized and usually nomadic, often seen near rivers and sources of freshwater. An interesting fact is that the pairs usually nest at holes in trees, as high as 11 meters (36 ft).
Overall Description
The birds of this family are largely different, being connected only by a few simple details in their appearance. The things to notice are a disproportionately small head, a tiny beak, and a long and slender tail. The adults reach an average length of 14 inches (35 centimeters) and weigh just a bit over 7 ounces (200 grams). Most of it is taken up by their long tail feathers. Nonetheless, these parrots will require a lot of space. For many, an aviary or a bird room are the best options for this breed. It works well for their type of personality and offers plenty of exercise at the same time.
Speech and Sounds
Most owners agree that the Red Winged Parrot is not overly noisy. Their main vocal aspect are their natural calls. These consist of various, often raucous caws and throaty noises. Sometimes they will make attempts at certain mimics, which can sometimes work out, but most often they sound mumbled. To ensure your pet doesn’t start making noise, make sure that their basic needs are met.
Colors
The colors on a Red Winged Parrot are absolutely charming! The body is mostly bright green. The males have an almost black back and tail, with the wings being bright red. They also have a small light blue patch beneath the wings. The females are almost entirely green, but darker than the males. The lower half of the wings has a wide red stripe. Needless to say, this dramatic and attractive combination of colors makes the Red Winged Parrot really appealing to potential owners and aviculture enthusiasts.
Males and females are very, very different. This makes it easy to pick out a breeding pair or ensure there are no surprises in the nest.
Care and Feeding
In the wild, these parrots have a varied diet, but it mostly consists of fruit, insects, seeds, and flowers. Your pet’s diet should be similar and varied – make sure that seed mix is offered daily, boosted with a selection of fruits.
A big part of caring for these exotic birds is providing them enough space. Many owners opted for aviaries. In any case offer a lot of perches, parrot toys, swings and ropes. Real, unsprayed branches are also a good choice to offer some variety and give a natural feel to their surroundings. Females love to crawl and snuggle up into tight spaces. This comes from their natural breeding habits. Those owners that keep them as aviary birds, offer large logs that are hollowed out. This makes a great display item and an effective housing space.
Health and Common Conditions
These parrots might look cute and fragile, but they are actually quite hardy and amongst the long-lived species. Surprisingly, the Red Winged Parrot can live between 30 and 50 years. This makes them a lifetime obligation, but also a good companion for solo owners or multiple generations of one family.
These birds are often kept in pairs. Ideally, they would be housed in a bird room or an aviary.
Personality & Behavior
These inquisitive parrots are known to be smart and lively pets. Even if kept in an aviary, they grow close to their human owners. A Red Winged Parrot will have no issues with remembering faces and choosing their favorite person of the household. They’ll also love to perch, and will often sit around on your shoulder, eagerly examining everything that’s around them. And it is a proven thing – when you have a pet that’s smart, friendly and beautiful as the Red Winged parrot – you’ll be one happy owner.
Photo credit: Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr; Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock; Benchill/WikimediaCommons
