Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot General Info

You might not see a Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot around every corner, but these rare and prized pet birds are popular in aviculture. Hanging parrots are unique in so many aspects, and prove to be a shy and docile pet that thrive with proper care. Their cute and peculiar looks, energetic and fun behavior, and as well as their rarity on the bird market, make Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot a very sought-after pet. Find out what makes these one-of-a-kind birds so appealing to numerous pet owners around the world.

Did you know that Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot sleeps upside down, as bats do? This is unique in the parrot world.

Native Region/Natural Habitat

These small parrots are found in a large region in southern Asia. They are native to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma and parts of Indonesia. Thriving in a diverse regional ecosystem, these birds will nest in bamboo growths, light forests, woodland edges, and even orchards and rural areas. Although not threatened, they still suffer from increasing destruction of habitat, and illegal capture for the pet markets. In many rural markets in Malaysia or Thailand, many of these parrots can be seen in small cages, waiting for their new owners. Since the ’80s, more than 75,000 birds have been recorded in the international wild bird market.

Overall Description

Hanging parrots are a small family of birds, but they have a lot of unique qualities. The breeds in the family share a few key traits, such as the tiny, slim body, the unique small beak, short tail, and of course their upside-down sleeping. Yes, these birds will imitate bats and sleep while hanging upside down. The adults have an average length of just 5 inches (12 centimeters) and will weigh an ounce (30 grams). However, although these birds are undeniably tiny, they need a lot of space. An exotic bird such as the Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot requires room for flight to feel happy and content. Choose a big cage or even a smaller aviary for your new pet.

Speech and Sounds

As you can guess from their petite size, the Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot is not really noisy. Their natural calls are melodic and often pleasing to hear- they consist of soft tweets and chirps. In case you wanted an apartment pet bird, this rare parrot is a great choice. With their shy and peaceful personality, it’s certain they won’t be protesting loudly if bothered by something, as their more raucous cousins do.

Colors

Even though small, these parrots don’t lack interesting and intricate details. This combination of adorably tiny stature and memorable coloring ensures that Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot leaves no one indifferent. Their bodies are mostly bright green, with an almost neon undertone. Their lower back is red, with tiny orange patches at the top, and the back of the neck. The upper chest displays a big round red patch, and they get their name from the circular blue patch on the very top of their head. The females are easy to tell apart, as they lack the colorful patches on the chest and the crown. This mix of very light tones and unique round patches only adds to its appeal!

The “blue crown” is barely noticeable in a female Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot. Sexes are easy to distinguish.

Care and Feeding

As a part of their wild diet, a Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot will feed on fruits, insects, and seeds. To recreate this for your pet, offer them a variety of fresh fruits and some green vegetables, coupled with a commercial seed based mix for small parrots. Another important aspect of proper care is bathing. Hanging parrots love to shower upside down, and a water spray will be the best choice for this. It ensures good hygiene, which is highly important for the overall health of a Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot.

Health and Common Conditions

To make sure your pet is healthy, you will need to keep them in optimal conditions and provide constant care. The Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot can be a bit fragile and harder to keep in good health than your average pet parrot. The biggest concern should be hygiene. Replace food and water daily, and always keep a clean cage or aviary. Bathing dishes and spray showers should be offered on a regular basis. With these basics ensured, things should go much smoother for you and your little pet.

Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot can grow very long nails. You should keep a few untreated branches around that will help wear them down.

Personality & Behavior

Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot makes a great pet for a variety of reasons. They tend to be quiet, and have a pleasant, melodious song, and are known as calm, friendly birds. As soon as your new pet grows accustomed to you, they will show their sociable and energetic side. Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot loves to move around, and will not hesitate to explore the house and fly from one end to the other. This should be encouraged (but supervised) as it gives your pet the exercise they need. In general, these are lovely little pets, especially for experienced owners that want a docile, peaceful bird in their home.

Photo credit: petrdd/Shutterstock; Lip Kee/Flickr