Plain Parakeet (History, Appearance, Personality, and Care)

Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Ali Shahid

A plain parakeet is an endemic species of Brazil and a member of the family Psittacidae. In South Brazil, it is commonly found in urban areas including So Paulo and Curitiba. These Parakeets are named after their basic coloring, not their personalities.

Overall, they have a plain green color. It is a sociable bird that is curious as well as smart. Although they live in the wild successfully, they also make good pets in captivity.

However, the Parakeet is less popular than others, such as the Quaker Parakeet. Even though its natural habitat is lowland forests, the plain parakeet (Brotogeris tirica) can adapt easily to urban and suburban environments.

Plain parakeets remain among the most commonly seen birds. These common urban parrots are most noticeable for their loud noise. The Plain Parakeet deserves more attention, so let’s learn more about this fascinating bird!

Origin and History of Plain Parakeet

The plain parakeet is a South American bird that is particularly prevalent in Brazil. Forests and lowlands are their natural habitat in the region, but deforestation threatens it.

Fortunately, plain parakeets have adapted to changing habitats and even thrive in them. Plain Parakeets are abundant in the wild today. They can also be found in parks and public spaces even in urban areas and small cities.

Although they prefer a tropical environment, these birds can be kept as pets in any condition.

Physical Description

An adult Plain Parakeet measures 23 centimeters in length and weighs 65 grams. They are known for their extremely long tails. They have tails that are half the length of their bodies. Some people can see simplicity as a disadvantage.

Generally, owners prefer birds with glamorous feather colors. On the other hand, Plain Parakeet does not describe that at all. They have a simple, clear look. It is apparent from their name that Plain Parakeets do not have as vibrant coloration as their cousins.

The majority of their plumage is green. The underparts, cheeks, and crown of these birds have yellow tones around them. It has olive-green lesser wing feathers and olive-green shoulders. There’s also a blue-green tint to their flight feathers.

Similarly, the tail underside is blue-green. There is a green outline on both primary and secondary feathers. The iris of these birds is dark brown. A dull-grey eye ring surrounds the pupil.

It has dark-colored feet and a brownish bill, which turns horn-colored near the base. In terms of appearance, young Plain Parakeets are similar to adults except for their wings, tails, and bills. In young parakeets, the coverts are green.

Blue shades can be observed on the primary feathers and outer secondary feathers. Their tail is shorter, and the part of their upper beak that reaches the base is brown.

Nevertheless, their charming appearance cannot be denied. Adult males and females are both completely green. Even though it is a single color, it varies greatly throughout the body, displaying fascinating variation.

Don’t let its plain appearance discourage you. Despite their plain appearance, these creatures still hold plenty of beauty.

Personality

The Plain Parakeet makes an adorable feathered friend. They’re popular because of their affectionate personalities. In addition, they get along well with birds of similar sizes, so they make good aviary birds.

For those looking for a pet with natural charm, the Plain Parakeet may be the right choice. The birds will adapt to any type of household, whether it is an apartment, a family, a single person, or a senior citizen.  The lifespan of a Plain parakeet is 10-15 years.

Breeding

At the age of six months, plain parakeets (Brotogeris tirica) can begin breeding. However, most plain parakeets don’t begin mating until about one year of age. Male and female plain parakeets begin breeding in April and continue until May.

Generally, plain parakeets lay three to six eggs, which are incubated for 2.5 weeks until hatching takes place. It takes the chicks about two months from hatching to attain their adult size.

How to Care for Plain Parakeets

• Provide your Plain Parakeet with plenty of space, different perches, and most importantly, love.
• Keep in touch with your parakeet frequently.
• Familiarize your pet with your voice.
• Make sure your pet eats a healthy diet.
• It is not uncommon for parakeets to be loud and shy at first.
• Nevertheless, it doesn’t take long for them to turn on. Providing your pet with fresh branches regularly is a good idea.
• It’s okay to bathe them once in a while, but a hollow dish needs to be kept daily. It is particularly important during the breeding season.

Population Status of Plain Parakeets

Agricultural settlements and urban settlements have resulted in the loss of natural habitat for plain parakeets in Brazil.

However, its population trend remains stable, so it is listed as a Least Concern species by the IUCN for Brazil.

At present, we do not know how many plain parakeets live worldwide because there are only a few data points.

Common Health Problems

Often, these curious and adventurous birds get into accidents. They may encounter larger parrots, dogs, and cats that bite them or attack them.

The fact that they climb, wander, and jump makes them susceptible to injuries. In addition to accidental injuries, they are also susceptible to bacterial and viral infections such as:

• Avian Gout
• Avian Tuberculosis
• Bacterial Hepatitis
• Psittacosis or Chlamydiosis

 Preventing Illnesses

Keeping your Plain Parakeets healthy is the most effective way to prevent illness. Ensure that the cage is large enough to accommodate the parakeet’s ability to fly and hop. Their happiness and health will be maintained if they are given a lot of attention.

An ideal diet should consist of a variety of foods and be balanced. A portion of nutritious and healthy food is necessary for plain parakeets to remain healthy.

In addition, if you think your pet is ill, you can rescue it. Knowing the common symptoms of illnesses will be highly beneficial. Keep an eye on your pet’s eating habits. When your pet has a healthy appetite, you will know it is healthy.

A parakeet will normally groom itself on its own. A parakeet that does not maintain cleanliness may be sick.

Consult your veterinarian immediately if your pet suffers from an illness. While it is always best to prevent illness from affecting your pet, sometimes you cannot prevent it.

Exercise

This species of parakeet is highly active during the day, so it needs a lot of exercise. Keep the bird’s habitat full of toys so they can play with them. To minimize boredom and optimize mental stimulation, switching toys every few days is a good idea.

A Plain Parakeet should also get at least 2 hours of free flight and exploration a day. If you provide a perch in the family room or living room, the bird will interact with you and be able to enjoy the company of your family members.

From Where to Get a Plain Parakeet

Consider checking out pet stores if you are considering getting a Plain Parakeet. Plain Parakeets are also available from several bird breeders. However, it is important to check the parakeet’s health before purchasing it.

When purchasing this pet, make sure the seller is reliable. It is important not to buy in a hurry. It is well known that many sellers offer healthy parakeets and are reliable.

If you fail to be careful when buying your parakeet, you might end up with an unsuitable or ill pet. It might not be a good idea to shop at a store that stores parakeets in crowded, unsanitary cages. Such an environment will likely lead to disease in parakeets.

Conclusion

Despite their small size, plain parakeets are just as enjoyable and interactive as other parakeet types.

Whether you are a family, single, or senior, these little clowns are perfect for you.

They will not disturb your neighbors, and they can adapt to almost any environment. With a Plain Parakeet as a pet, you can’t go wrong!

References

Pizo, Marco Aurelio, Isaac Simāo, and Mauro Galetti. “Daily variation in activity and flock size of two parakeet species from southeastern Brazil.” The Wilson Bulletin (1997): 343-348.