If you would like to learn more about this little fiesty bird, feel free to either peruse our knowledge base or give us a call/email and we will be happy to assist you as best we can! Below, you will find all sorts of valuable information about keeping your parrotlet happy and healthy! If you have additional information, you think we should include, PLEASE, email us and we'll post it!

Here is a list of books that are for general parrot knowledge that have been helpful to me and perhaps you would enjoy them as as well!

• Parrots For Dummies by Nikki Moustaki $16.99
• The Second-Hand Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan, Dianalee Deter $8.99
• Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan $11.99
• Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior by Mattie Sue Athan $12.99
• The Simple Guide to Bird Care & Training by Julie Rach $14.95
• A Parrot for Life: Raising and Training the Perfect Parrot Companion by Rebecca K. O'Connor $18.95

Owning a Parrotlet is a 20-30 year commitment. This is longer than a child would stay in your home. If you are ready to make the commitment to care for and be the social flock for one of these delightful little parrots, you are in for a very rewarding relationship.

Let Your Parrotlet Rest
When you first bring your Parrotlet home and put him in his new cage he will be afraid and timid about his new surroundings. Give him plenty of time by himself to get familiar with his cage. He/she may be too shy to eat with you, your family, your neighbors, your other pets walking up and staring at him/her in the cage. THE FIRST DAY HOME, LET HIM REST & EAT IN PEACE AND QUIET! Be sure that he finds his food and water. Start giving him attention AFTER you notice his food has been disturbed and is he/she is eating.

DO NOT CHANGE DIET RIGHT AWAY!
Your Parrotlet should initially be fed the healthy diet we have raised them on. If you decide to change the diet, do it gradually! Young parrotlets have been known to starve to death because their diet was switched overnight and they did not eat the new food. Have plenty of millet available. If he doesn't explore the cage to find his food, put the millet and water close to where he perches most. If he becomes fluffed up and not eating, contact your avian vet immediately.

Parrotlet Toys
Parrotlets love to play and should be given a lot of toys. Things that move such as swings and hanging toys are favorites. They also like things made from natural materials such as wood, leather and raw hide. Parrotlets can be taught to stay on playpens and baskets. This will allow your pet more freedom as well as more time with you as he is more mobile and easy to move around.

Time Out of Cage
The next few days, only take him out to play with him for about 15 minutes at a time. Let him settle into his new home. Then make sure to give your Parrotlet time out of its cage daily. He is depending on you to be his companion for his entire lifetime. Play with, provide toys and exercise outlets, share affection with your feathered friend daily. Parrotlets require one on one time with their person. It doesn't have to be a long period of time but it must be consistent. If you are gone all day, take a minute for a little "scritch and chat" before you leave. When you get home they'll be happy to see you and content to sit on your shoulder to watch TV or work on your computer.

Warm Temperature
Your baby is used to cuddling up against his siblings at night. Make sure his cage is placed in a warm area and cover him at night. Do not expose him to drafts.

Molting is Natural
Parrotlets have their first molt at about 4 months of age. This is a stressful time. He might be a little irritable and look a bit ragged in appearance. Be patient with your Parrotlet. He will probably like being misted with warm water more often at this time.

Parrotlet Nippy Phase
Sometimes young Parrotlets go through a nippy phase. To deter this behavior, say NO firmly. Never physically punish your bird. Your Parrotlet will enjoy sitting on your shoulder and having the back of his neck rubbed. He will become your best friend. Be patient during the training process.

To make the adjustment easier for your little guy (and you), please try and use these simple tips for the next two weeks or so until he is fully adapted to his new surroundings. Remember that your bird is a baby and must learn many new things.

Cages
We recommend nothing smaller than 14" wide, 18" long and 16" tall. Cage bars should be no wider than 1/2". Bar spacing should be between 1/2" and 5/8". Anything wider and a head could get caught. Also, be sure the cage has a grate on the bottom to keep curious beaks away from droppings and debris. Put the cage in the room where the family spends most of its time. Your bird will enjoy interacting with everyone. Be sure lighting is adequate.

Toys
In the world of Parrotlets, everything is a fun game. Parrotlets absolutely love to play. Their natural boldness and intelligence makes them a delight to watch as they tumble and play. Usually bundles of energy, parrotlets spend hours swinging, climbing and playing. Parrotlets will use a wide variety of toys that should be alternated often to keep the Parrotlet from getting bored.
Since they have such strong beaks be sure and buy sturdy, well made toys designed for cockatiels, small conures or small birds. Toys that provide motion are favorites. Swings are especially coveted and many parrotlets enjoy sleeping on them. Natural fiber rope, leather, rawhide and wood are also appreciated as parrotlets love to chew. Soft toys with natural fibers are great for snuggling. I do suppy acrylic toys, with bells are good (they last forever) but the toys they can tear up will always get the most action.
The most important feature of a toy is safety. Dyes should be all natural vegetable dies. Click here for some of our Parrotlet toys.

Perches
Perches should be thick enough that the Parrotlet's toes cannot touch all the way around. A variety of perches are important. I like keeping two perches in each cage. Either a softer natural untreated wood perch (The irregularities provide a kind of massage for the feet and they enjoy nibbling on the bark and wood) or a cotton rope perch which are soft for their feet. They are great to rest on.
And a harder perch such as a cement or pumice which are great to wear down the nails. I put the softest perch (smooth wood or cotton rope) up in a high place. Parrotlets tend to sleep and sit there the longest. They like to sit high up in order to have a good view of their surroundings. Too many perches can interfere with the parrotlet's movements. Make sure each one is spaced far enough away from the other and not over the food bowls. Click here for some of our Parrotlet perches.

These quantities are for a pair of birds. All water and food dishes are changed daily.
• 1 Bowl of Clean Water
Below are put in other 2 small dishes.
• 4 tablespoons of Cockatiel seed
• 4 tablespoons of Canary seed
• 2 tablespoons of Pellets (Breeder Formula)
• 1/2 c of Black Oil Sunflower seeds
• Sprinkle of Bee Pollen*
• Sprinkle of Spirolina**
• 1 slice/piece of fresh fruit (Altered daily)
• 1 slice/piece of fresh veggie (Altered daily)
Below is kept in the cage at all times until they use it up.
• 1 Cuttlebone
• 1 Mineral Block

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Parrotlets
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Forpus Touit Nannopsittaca

Parrotlets are a species of the smallest New World parrots, comprising three genera. One of these genera, Forpus, is growing in popularity within the world of aviculture, raising interest in the group as a whole.

General
Parrotlets are very small, with a stocky build and a broad tail, much like the lovebird species of East Africa and fig parrot and pygmy parrot species of Australasia. At 4˝–5 inches(11-12cm) long, they are the second smallest kind of parrot in the world. One of the most common species kept as pets is the Pacific Parrotlet. The wild type coloring for this species is green, but several color mutations have been discovered through selective breeding. Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, meaning males can be distinguished from females. Males have markings of cobalt blue on their head, wings and tail. Females generally lack these blue markings. These miniature parrots in the wild travel in flocks which, depending on the species can range from as low as four to over 100 birds. Most either species travel in flocks of about 5–40. This species forms strong pair bonds with mates.

Life Expectancy
With a healthy diet, much exercise and healthy environment, the Parrotlet has a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years.

Speech/Learning
They can learn more than 10–15 words and can "whistle" songs well. They have about the same speaking and whistling capabilities of a cockatiel. They are also very good learners for commands such as "step up", "kiss-kiss", "step down", and other small commands. Many can be coaxed into 'playing dead' over time, and with much practice lie on their backs on command. Some parrotlets can learn advanced tricks, but not as advanced as a Macaw or an African Grey Parrot. Having the ability to speak does not necessarily mean a bird will speak; it depends on the specific bird's personality.

Demeanor
These feisty little birds should not be overlooked in favor of more widely known types of birds; any Parrotlet owner will tell you that these birds possess all the intelligence and attitude of the largest of macaws. These birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live in apartments or condominiums.

Aviculture
The most commonly kept parrotlet in aviculture is by far the Pacific Parrotlet, which now has several color mutations such as yellow, blue, lutino and white. The Mexican, Spectacled, and Yellow-Faced are also fairly common pets. Their popularity as pets has grown due to their small size and large personalities. Parrotlets are commonly known as playful birds that enjoy chewing as much as their larger Amazon Parrot counterparts. Being highly intelligent and active parrots, Parrolets must have ample opportunities to play and exercise. Environmental enrichment must be made a part of their lives as to prevent boredom. Parrotlets keep themselves more than occupied when left alone for several hours, so long as they are provided with an array of chewable and destructible toys to play with. However, when their keepers get home, they often greet them with lovely chirps and whistles to let them know they want attention.

Genera


Forpus
Forpus, the best-known genus of parrotlet, includes all species of parrotlet commonly kept as pets including the Pacific Parrotlet,celestial parrotlet, Mexican Parrotlet, and the Spectacled Parrotlet.

Touit
The Touit Parrotlets are a genus of parrotlets found in The Venezuela-Guyana area, Northern Andes, and Bahia. Only three of the seven species have ever been brought into aviculture, with all three failing to keep them alive, or breed them.

Nannopsittaca
There are only two species in the Genus Nannopsittaca, of which only one—Nannopsittaca panychlora, the Tepui Parrot—has been successfully kept in captivity.

• Forpus.com has plenty of information on parrotlets for owners and those thinking about bringing one into their lives.
• Parrotlets the miniature Parrot Is a forum for pet owners, breeders and anyone with an interest in parrotlets. Includes forums on health, feeding, training, behavior, types and mutations, and lots more!
• BirdChannel the best forum around run by people in the business, not a coffee clutch like many others
• XOParrots.com A wonderful online community forum with dedicated members.
• LittleTweet.com Care and diet information.
• All Things Feathered Features a bird wiki and forums for dedicated parrot lovers.