Small Parrots

Pacific Parrotlet

Forpus coelestis

Parrotlets are one of the smallest kinds of parrots in the world. They are found in South America and are similar in size and appearance to Love Birds (which are from Africa) and the Fig Parrot and Pygmy Parrot species in Australia and parts of Asia. In the wild, Pacific Parrotlets (also sometimes called Celestial Parrotlets) are green in color, with the males having blue on their wings, above their tail, and blue streaks going back behind their eyes, looking sort of like eye-shadow. The females lack the blue colors and are generally just green.

Because the Pacific Parrotlet is one of the most commonly kept tiny parrots in captivity, many color variations have also been bred, including birds that are almost entirely blue, or even bright yellow.

Photograph © Erin Koski 2010

Arnold/Arny

If you have a large computer monitor, the picture above probably looks larger than actual size! Arnold is only about 5 inches from the tip of his tail to his beak, and only stands about 3 1/2 inches high from his perch. He is a darling little male Pacific Parrotlet who was born around July of 2008. He is shy around strangers, but is willing to sit on your finger if he knows you well.

Green Cheek Conure

Pyrrhura molinae

Green-cheeked Conures or Green-cheeded Parakeets are smallish parrots native to central South America. Their diet in the wild consists of fruit, seeds and grains. These little parrots are quite popular as pets in the United States, and have a somewhat quieter sound than other Conures like the Sun Conure or the Nanday or Jenday Conures.

Mischief

Mischief was born on November 17th of 2000. He spent the first ten years of his life with his first "mom" but became distressed when her life started to include frequent moving and travel. He is now in the Luzonica household and settling in to a comfy routine. He enjoys having his head scratched and sharing our meals with us.