Linolated Parakeet ( Complete Profile )

Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Interested in a small bird friend? The first birds that come to mind are probably budgies (parakeets), cockatiels, and lovebirds. A lineolated parakeet might also make a great addition to your perch – not to mention a great companion as well.

Lineolated parakeets, also known as barred parakeets, are commonly mistaken for budgies in bird stores. But if you were to pay close attention, you’d find a bird with a stockier and more contoured shape.

Its feathers have a very distinct barring pattern. Several distinctive features separate lineolate parakeets from budgies and other small parrots, even though both are on the small end of the parrot spectrum.

Linolated Parakeet

History

There are a lot of small parrots like this one that lives in the highlands of America. They usually live between the Mexican and the Panamanian borderlands. There are also populations of them living in Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela.

Although it may sound as if these birds can be found in so many places, they are quite particular about where they reside. Cloud forests are a type of forest that is located in high altitudes, where these creatures can only be found to reside.

This means they have a relatively small range of habitat. Breeding populations are found in the wild quite extensively, which is usually considered the least endangered in the scale of endangerment.

It was not long after they were captured in captivity that they gained popularity among the public. Having been reared in captivity for several years, captivity birds are already accustomed to living in an environment that mimics their natural environment.

Breeding in captivity has led to the development of some unique color mutations, which are not normally seen in the wild.

Physical Appearance

It is said that these little parrots are amongst the smallest varieties of pet birds found on the market. You will be immediately attracted to their tiny faces. Approximately 6 inches (16 centimeters) in length, they weigh around 2 ounces (50 grams) in weight. 

Compared to other members of the parakeet family, they are more similar to lovebirds with their miniature looks.

In addition to the short tail feathers, the rounded head, and the short stubby beak, lines also have a ruffled plumage, which makes them more difficult to mistake for other birds. These parrots are predominantly green in coloration in their original state.

This bird has two subspecies, and what differentiates them from one the other is that they have different patterns of black and dark-green stripes on their backs and wingtips.

A bright blue underside of their wings and a darker green underside to their tail feathers are two of the characteristics of their feathers. These birds have brown eyes. The males and females both have the same appearance.

The sexes of the animals are determined by a genetic test. There are times when the males have more stripes than the females, but this is not a reliable indicator of their gender.

Over the years, there have been a large number of color variations that have become popular. Breeding selectively has resulted in the creation of these colors that are unique to captivity:

  • Lutino: The body of this bird is dominated by a yellow coloration throughout the majority of its length.
  • Turquoise: Following its name, this bird is predominantly turquoise in color. The back and sides of this bird are usually marked with black spots.
  • Grey: Mauve is also a name for this coloration, and these birds have a completely grey color. Black is a possible color for both their backs and wings, as well as dark blueish colors.
  • Blue: Rather than being green, the wings are blue. Their backs, wings, and sides are typically darker colors than their wings.

Temperament

Lineolated parakeets develop charming and even-tempered personalities when properly handled and raised as babies. Birds of this nature have a very social nature and enjoy hanging out with their owners for as long as they please.

Usually calmer than budgies or lovebirds, it is roughly the same size. The lineolated parakeets make very cute little pets because they are very social and likely to spend a lot of time with their flockmates.

Lineolated parakeets bore easily and need plenty of daily playtime for anyone considering adopting one. Lineolated parakeets have a soft natural call almost like a song.

 It can also whistle and talk. A lineolated parakeet can be kept in an apartment or similar setting with close neighbors because it is a quieter species.

Caring for the Lineolated

Parakeet A smaller cage is needed for this bird, but bigger is better. One lineolated parakeet needs at least a 24-inch square cage as long as it gets plenty of time outside every day.

Linnie also does well in aviaries with other small birds such as chickadees, however, small flocks can make a lot of noise.

Lineolated parakeets chew and gnaw, which is why they should have a variety of acceptable chew toys and natural branches for determining when it is the right time to chew them.

For at least several hours a day, you should allow your parakeet to be out of his cage. Most owners report that the birds like to burrow under blankets and fabrics, and they like to walk around on furniture and floors.

Parakeets do sometimes bite and attack when they are growing up, but this is usually short-lived, and they are too small to cause severe harm. An adorable pet soon replaces this adolescent phase. Regular nail trimming is required on lineolate parakeets.

Linnie is a rainforest bird, therefore they love to bathe in standing water dishes as a part of their behavioral pattern. In the summer months, they take advantage of the tastiness of a lukewarm shower, sometimes even daily.

Preening and drying off your bird should be done in an area that is not drafty so make sure it has ample space for both.

Lineolated Parakeet Breeding

Parakeets of the Lineolated Parakeet family are dimorphic. You should be able to distinguish between males and females quite easily. In any case, it is not a good idea to determine a person’s gender based on their appearance.

It is necessary either to perform DNA sexing or surgical sexing on a Lineolated Parakeet to determine its gender. The Lineolated Parakeet is considered an ideal choice for beginners in bird breeding.

It is a calm bird. They aren’t space-demanding either, which is another benefit of breeding Lineolated Parakeets. When a breeding environment such as this makes it impossible for other species to reproduce, the small parakeets have been able to breed successfully.

Several breeders also prefer to raise them in an environment that simulates a colony. In the wild, they form flocks that generally number 20 or more individuals. As well as being seen in the flock of up to 100 parakeets, these birds have also been seen separately.

This will allow at least two pairs to breed comfortably in a colony set up with at least three nesting boxes. A standard Budgie nest box also works well. Lineolated Parakeets typically nest horizontally.

Diet and Nutrition

Your bird’s diet is one of the most important aspects of caring for him. There are often differences between what your Linnie wants and needs. Their diet should be varied.

As for the wild ones, they usually eat seeds, fruits, insects, and vegetation that are different from what we eat. Their well-being depends on closely replicating this diet in captivity.

In addition to providing them with pellets, we recommend that they also eat fresh fruits and vegetables regularly. It is important to offer fresh food to the birds every time and to vary the type of food offered to the birds every single time.

Add variety to your parakeet’s diet and your parakeet’s diet will be more nutritious. As Linnies grow little and don’t need much food, a tablespoon of food a day should be sufficient to sustain them. You should provide fresh fruit and vegetables every two days.

You might think this is not much food. This is enough for these birds. Excessive feeding is linked to obesity, among other health issues. Fruit is a difficult food to digest for some birds. Reduce the amount of fruit your bird eats if they poop watery.

Veggies are usually easier on birds’ stomachs than fruit. A cuttlebone or mineral block would be a good addition to the treatment. The snacks they will eat will be providing them with extra calcium, which is crucial for preventing bone problems in the future.

Most of the time, these parakeets will not be able to obtain enough calcium from their normal diet, so supplementation is recommended.

The calcium in a mineral block will generally be consumed by your bird as needed if the mineral block is available. Your bird is good at recognizing when it needs calcium.

Lineolated Parakeet Health

The lineolated parakeet has an increased risk of contracting the same diseases as other types of pet parrots. The fact is that many of these diseases are fatal to small birds, such as Linnies, and their treatment is often much more difficult.

In this regard, it is always essential to take preventative measures so that it doesn’t happen in the first place that the disease can infect this little parakeet. Despite their cartoonish appearance, these tiny little parrots are quite serious and intelligent.

Nevertheless, it is easy for them to get bored. Such behaviors can cause them to feel lonely and depressed. We recommend pampering these birds once in a while. A poor diet may lead to malnutrition and obesity in these healthy-looking parrots.

Infections of the eye and respiratory system are common in Linnie. Vitamin deficiency contributes to some of these parakeet health issues. Proper nutrition can solve this problem.

It is important to keep in mind that these birds may be prone to fatty tumors, so the quantity and types of seeds that they consume in their diet should be restricted.

To plan the bird’s diet appropriately, you should consult with the vet to find out the bird’s nutritional requirements. Keep your Lineolated Parakeets under the care of a professional veterinarian regularly to ensure their health.

Keeping yourself in shape, eating a balanced diet, and having regular check-ups can prevent many health problems.

Lifespan

A lineolated parakeet usually lives up to around 12 years of age. The lifespan of the Lineolated Parakeet is about ten years in the wild. In captivity, though, they are capable of living for fifteen years.

It can be explained by the fact that these birds receive extra care and attention from their human companions when they are indoors. Having a good diet is also a major factor in ensuring that they live a healthy life.

Exercise

Unlike other birds, Lineolated Parakeets spend a great deal of energy searching for food in the wild, and they also spend a great deal of energy defending themselves from predators.

To ensure that a lineolate parakeet gets sufficient exercise, it is recommended that it play out of its cage for three to four hours each day.

During these play sessions, the prospective owner needs to make sure that he or she will be able to supervise the bird from a safe, bird-proof location.

From Where to Get a Lineolated Parakeets

We recommend getting your Parakeet from a breeder, rather than buying it from a pet store. Pet stores shouldn’t be keeping these birds as they are not well suited for keeping as pets, which usually results in the birds being unhealthy.

You’ll likely get a stressed and sick animal when you acquire a pet from a pet store. They may not be able to adapt well to life in a new place. Most of the time, it is better to go to a reputable breeder rather than a pet store.

Ask the breeder whether or not the bird has been in an environment that has caused its health problems. The first thing you need to do is visit the breeder’s office and check on the other birds in the breeder’s collection as well.

A breeder who is not reputable may have a nice cage where the bird being viewed was kept, but the rest of the animals may have been kept in poorly maintained conditions.

Therefore, I strongly recommend you ask if you can see the parents as well as the other birds as well. If you’re considering adopting a bird, make sure you know what to look for.

For instance, make sure the bird is alert and active. Clean feathers and bright eyes are very important. It is quite common for sick birds to not be groomed properly.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Lineolated Parakeets can make a person fall in love with them. There is a charm and mesmerizing aura about them that can’t be denied. There is a sense of fun and adventure about them. It’s like seeing a clown caught in the act.

It is the nature of the Lineolated Parakeet that it tends to cuddle with others which is its most highlighted personality trait. Lineolated parakeets enjoy cuddling and love to have contact with humans.

In recent years, they have gained quite a reputation in the pet world as a result of this. The varied color mutations of these birds offer a great deal of interest to those who are fascinated by the vivid colors of these little creatures.

In other words, there is something to suit every taste in this species. Certainly, Linnies are quite beautiful, so it is no surprise that they are so popular. Also, they are loyal and they enjoy every moment of their lives since they are living their dream.

However, one of the most important things to remember at home is that they deserve unconditional love and affection.

Author

  • Ali Shahid

    Ali Shahid is a veterinarian by profession and an animal lover. He loves to give expert opinions about different animals. He has worked in top organization of birds like Bigbird Feed and Poultry Research institute. He loves birds, especially parrots and has great experience in different parrot farms.

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