Mitred Parakeet ( Complete Profile)
Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Ali Shahid
There is an interesting bird in the Andes mountains of South America known as the mitred parakeet (Psittacara mitratus). The bird has a stunning colour combination of red and green.
These small and medium-sized birds are also referred to as mitred conures, and they make excellent pets because they are playful, active, and curious in the wild as well.
You can find them in the United States as well such that if you keep an eye out, you may even find one in your neighbourhood park or even in your backyard.
Mitred Parakeet
You can find them in flocks with other species of parakeets, so put your luck to work and see whether you can spot this green and red feathered friend of yours.
If they were allowed to live in a house, these creatures would make excellent pets as they are so friendly. You can read this article here about the mitred parakeet if you are interested in learning more about this bird.
History
Mitred conures were found for the first time by naturalists in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina, where they were discovered in several populations. The species is found mostly in forests at a high altitude, between 3,300 and 11,200 feet.
As a result of the introduction of the species into North America, particularly Florida and California, and even Hawaii, the species has expanded to a great extent.
It is very common for this species to be found in a wild habitat in the United States since it is frequently observed in suburban areas and parks.
Appearance
It is generally accepted that Mitred parakeets have relatively long-tailed species, and they typically grow to a height of 13 to 15 inches (34 to 38 cm). A Mitred Conure is typically about 7 ounces (200 grams) in weight.
Mitred parakeets are among the most beautiful species of conures. In adults, the main colour is green, but there are some red spots on the face and thighs as well.
One of the most distinguishing features of the bird is its almost bare, white eye-rings, as well as its heavy, pale-coloured bill. The male mitred parakeets usually have just one or two red feathers at the bend of their wings when they mature.
The hindneck, mantle, throat and thighs of a mitred conure may be covered in a variety of red feathers. The red in the plumage of immature birds is very small or non-existent.
The Mitred parakeet must usually spend around ten years to achieve full red-head. Even when a bird’s fully coloured, the amount of red it has can vary a lot.
According to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Mitred Parakeet has been marked in the category of the least concerned species.
Temperament
In the right circumstances, a well-trained mitred conure can become a wonderful family pet if given plenty of love and attention.
When considering having a pet bird, a mitred parakeet might be an appropriate choice for those who would like to spend more time with their bird.
As a rule of thumb, your bird will need to exercise, interact, and socialize with you for at least two to four hours a day.
The mood of a mitred parakeet is similar to that of any pet bird. In addition, this species of conure can get nippy at times, just like other conure species.
They’re not a good choice for families with young children, but an older kid can still enjoy having a conure as a pet if he or she understands what birds are and has respect for them.
Mitred conures can still be loud, even if they’re well socialized. If you happen to be around at dawn or dusk, it is quite likely to hear the sounds of screeching, screams, and squawking.
Although this species is clownish, it is intelligent and has been known to perform tricks to gain one’s attention.
Speech
Mitred parakeets are considered to be one of the loudest species of parrots among the many different species. There is a tendency for them to become loud for hours when they are gathered together in groups.
Further, flocks of these birds get loud when they’re scared or alarmed, which usually happens during sunsets. Conures are also some of the smartest parrots and can speak a lot.
When kept as pets, it is possible that they can be trained to speak a few words and phrases to communicate with you. However, the high-pitched voice they use can sometimes cause the words to be difficult to understand.
Mitred Conure Caring
The cage needs to be large enough to accommodate a mitred conure with a footprint of at least 24 inches square and a minimum height of 36 inches.
Make sure the perches you provide for your bird are made with strong chews in mind and change them frequently to prevent boredom from setting in.
It is important to also provide the mitred conures with a gym stand or play area outside their cage because these birds are athletic.
A spray bottle can be used to give them a daily shower or you can spray them regularly under a sink sprayer if they enjoy bathing.
Birds of the conure family are flock-oriented. It is important to be ready to fill in as a flock member for the bird.
To avoid boredom and behaviour problems that are associated with neglect, mitred parakeets need activities and mental stimulation to keep them busy.
You may find that a lonely or bored conure may bite you or chew items that are not approved.
It is important to make sure that your bird spends as much time as possible socializing with you.
Introducing him to the language of mimicry can be an extremely useful activity for you both. It is a fact that birds that learn a lot of words are usually less prone to scream than those that do not learn as many words.
Breeding
In general, mitred tend to cooperate during breeding. We may have to find a nest box that they are willing to accept as one of the challenges.
As a result, it’s a good idea to have a variety of logs or nest boxes in different shapes and sizes – which can be placed all over the aviary so the parent birds can choose which nest box they want.
You should keep the nest box or log that the pair has designated as their exclusive nest box or log. Whenever you have spare nest boxes, you can remove them, clean them, and use them elsewhere.
Diet
Wild Mitred conures feed on a natural diet of fruits, nuts, and seeds that they can obtain from their environment, such as forests. As a rule of thumb, seed mixes fortified with vitamin E and commercial pellets are preferable when keeping these birds in captivity.
Additionally, it is crucial to add natural products such as fresh fruits and vegetables to this commercial diet to make it even more nutritious.
Health Problems
Mitred conures are considered to be relative hardy birds, along with other conures. Aspergillosis, Candidiasis, Psittacosis, Colds, Allergies, Sinus Inflammation, feather plucking, and Pacheco’s disease are common among this species.
A bird can begin the self-mutilating behaviour of removing its feathers if it gets boring or feels neglected.
It is recommended that you consult an avian veterinarian at least once a year or when you notice that your bird is lethargic, has stopped eating, or seems to be acting abnormally.
Exercise
To keep a mitred parakeet healthy, it is necessary to exercise it at least twice a week. Despite their size and inquisitive nature, mitred parakeets need plenty of space to be able to fly, explore, and play freely.
Every day you should allow supervised playtime for your mitred conure to be able to spend time out of his cage. For this bird to thrive, it has to be allowed to fly out of its cage four hours a day in a safe, secure location each day.
There is a fundamental need for chewing in all species of parrot, so your mitred parakeet must have plenty of toys to play with. Toys give it a positive outlet for its chewing instinct and can be used as a tool for providing good oral exercise.
From Where to Get a Mitred parakeet
Consider adopting a mitred conure through an animal rescue organization or adoption society if you are interested. It is a fact that mitred conures can be so noisy that some owners, who are unable to handle the noise, sometimes abandon their birds.
Some pet stores may have mitred parakeets in their aviaries, but in almost all cases bird breeders are the best choice. They may cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000, depending on where you live.
You can use a free directory maintained by the Beauty of Birds, which lists reputable parrot breeders in the United States.
In the case that you are searching for a bird breeder, you should interview them, see how their birds are doing, see how they live, and talk with past customers about their experiences.
You should probably stay away from breeders with overcrowded animals or inactive birds, or who don’t seem to be able to answer your questions.
