Red Rump Parakeets (Complete Profile )

Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Red Rump Parakeets are among the most common and interesting parrots in Australia. It would seem they were quite common, easily bored, and common as pets. Despite this, these parrots have so much more to offer than any other breed of bird that you will find here on Earth.

Red Rump Parakeets

The Red Rumps offer a long lifespan for a bird of this size, stunning looks, and extreme sexual dimorphism. Also, they are the only members of the genus or family they belong to, which makes it all the more unique.

Here is an opportunity to get to know the most popular pet and aviary breeds in Australia.

History

This parrot is one of the most common birds found in the southeastern parts of Australia. The Murray-Darling Basin, the Lake Eyre Basin, and the southern Queensland region of Australia are some of the places where these parrots live.

Despite its wide range of habitats, the Red Rump Parrot thrives in most of the grasslands, which gives this bird the nickname of the Grass Parrot.

Additionally, their large number makes them an everyday sight in urban areas such as gardens, parks, golf courses, and roadside areas. The bird population has increased in recent years.

It is the ability to adapt easily that allows the Red Rump Parakeet to adapt and continue to thrive, despite their natural habitat being threatened and destroyed.

Appearance

These moderate-sized parrots approximate 25 – 28cm (10 – 11.2 in) in length and weigh around 61 grams. An emerald-green color on the top of the head and yellow underparts make the males stand out from the females.

On the back of the male is a darker green color, while the head, chest area, and top of the tail coverts are bright green. You can notice that the rump is brick-red in color, and the wings and upper back also have blue highlights.

Both sexes of Red Rump Parakeets have a yellow underbelly, however, the yellow pigmentation is more noticeable in the males. In general, the legs and feet of these birds are flesh-colored.

Males of this species have an enlarged blue spot on the mantle and primary wing panels, along with a bright red rump.

The female of this species has most of its plumage is dull green, though there are also pale olive underparts as well as dull green wings and back, and there are also blue-black markings on her wings.

Only the males of the species have the characteristic red rump.

Temperament

In addition to their energetic nature, Red Rump Parakeets enjoy moving around their aviary or cage throughout the day.

It is best to keep them in an enclosure as a pair, but there is a risk they will attack other pairs as well, so you only want to keep one pair in an enclosure. In the period leading up to breeding, birds become very aggressive.

They will attack another bird through the bars of the cage if they can. As they have small beaks, these birds are suitable for children. Birds of this species spend their time mainly on the ground foraging in the wild.

They engage in an important behavior in which they perch on the stems of small plants until they bend to the ground where they can easily catch the seeds.

In all seasons, males and females can be seen grooming and feeding one another, and this can be seen regardless of the season. To tame one of these birds, you must have a great deal of patience.

It may be possible for you to get them to respond to hand feeding or for them to step up to you, but that is as far as you should go with training them.

Even though they like interaction with humans, they are also quite satisfied with spending extended periods amusing themselves on their own. Red Rumps rarely imitate human speech, and it is pretty rare for them to mimic human speech.

Sound

It is said that Red Rump parakeets sing sweet songs, so they have a reputation for being sweet! There are many different sounds these birds make while singing.

Taking the time to teach them with positive reinforcement can help them learn how to speak with a little patience.

Please, keep in mind, that it can be very challenging for them to learn to speak. You might find that one of the other types of parrots may suit you better if you want a parrot who can speak.

If you are looking for nothing more than an endearing pet that talks, this particular species might be able to do quite well in your household.

Usually, parakeets chirp and squeak during their vocalizations, but most of the Red Rump parakeet species love to whistle during their vocalizations as well.

It is their parents who teach them how to sing when they are very young. So if you buy one who’s already grown up, you might have trouble getting it to sing. 

Caring for Red Rump Parakeets

Cages

The red rump parakeet, which is larger than the rest of the parakeet species, needs a larger cage. You also need a place for toys, ladders, perches, a water dish, a bowl for bathing, and a bowl for feeding.

It would be a good idea to keep a single adult red rump parakeet in a cage that is approximately three feet wide, two feet deep, and four feet high. I would estimate that it measures about 60 cm by 91 cm by 122 cm.

To house a pair of red rump parakeets, imagine a cage that is four feet wide by four feet deep by five feet tall, or 123 centimeters by 123 centimeters by 152 centimeters.

Red-rumped parakeets can be kept in starter parrot cages at first, in case you do not have a larger one. However, buying a larger cage from the beginning will save you from having to buy another one later, allowing you to keep your bird in his familiar surroundings.

With clutter and toys that do not interfere with bathroom activities, you can make a red rump parakeet’s cage into the equivalent of Disneyland. Red rump parakeets don’t just need an aviary or cage.

Accessories

For a red rump parakeet to live a happy and healthy life, there are three major accessories that they need. Those accessories include a birdbath, climbing ladder, and toys.

It may seem silly or insignificant, but these three things are very crucial to ensure that your red rump parakeet is healthy.

Known for their daily bathing and feather cleaning, red rump parakeets bathe daily. They can lose color and health if they cannot do this.

Having a birdbath with fresh water every day is crucial for the red rump parakeets because these dulled colors are not meant for them. Secondly, they need climbable ladders. Birds of this species are very intelligent and have a lot of energy.

The lack of ladders and climbable things means they cannot get their energy out. Having this problem can lead to overeating and even illness in red rump parakeets. That is why we recommend providing climbing options to red rump parakeets.

It is also necessary to provide them with bird toys as well. Having bird toys is important because it is these toys that can assist in using their brains and allowing them to not get bored or overeat.

The researchers found that red rump parakeets could become obese if they got bored enough and overate.

As a result, it had a detrimental impact on their hearts and is difficult to reverse. It is highly recommended that you purchase a few bird toys when you buy your red rump parakeets as this will give them the best chance of living a long and fulfilling life.

Red Rump Parakeets Breeding

When the male bird is in breeding condition, you will often see him jumping from one perch to another. Then he’ll stand up, sway his tail, and bobble his head. There is no doubt that when a male is feeding the hen, that means that eggs will be laid soon.

A hen will lay between four and six eggs after mating has taken place. When it comes to incubation, the female is typically responsible for most of the process, while the male is in charge of guarding the nest.

When the male relieves the hen, she will drink and eat or will be fed herself by the male. It is also possible for males to incubate with their female partners. It takes about 25 days for the eggs to hatch. All year-round, you can breed Red Rumps.

Just give them plenty of rest, especially in the colder and hotter months of the year. I prefer breeding only one-five years old. Hand-feeding Red Rumps can be done after they have been pulled from their nest at 3 weeks old.

Unless their parents are not taking proper care of them, I do not think they should be removed before 3 weeks of age.

When they are five weeks old, young birds begin to fledge out of the nest, and by the age of 7-8 weeks, they will be able to feed themselves on their own.

Red Rump Parakeets Diet

The diet of the parakeet is comprised of bird pellets, mixed with fruits and seeds, that are specifically formulated for the bird.

It is best not to give your pet too many treats because they are high in fat and should not be given anything that is outside of what they need. It is important to note that these are very small birds, so they do not require much food.

As a responsible parakeet owner, it is important to keep the nutrition level of your parakeet in check because, if your parakeet becomes ill, it may not be able to eat as much as usual due to pain or lack of appetite.

Offer him a small dish of warm water mixed with seeds to prevent this situation. A local breeder or veterinarian who is experienced in raising this species of bird can provide you with more information about how to feed the bird.

Health

Despite its size, the Red Rump Parrot manages to withstand harsh conditions remarkably well. You won’t have any trouble raising a happy and healthy pet if you take advantage of his considerable ability to adapt to the most common conditions.

In general, Red Rumps are much-loved in Australia because they are easy to breed, are large, and can thrive both in an aviary and as a domestic pet.

If you want to prevent injury to your birds, try not to place them in crowded environments such as crowded bird rooms with many other kinds of birds.

Exercise

Though the Red Rump parakeet is a smaller bird, it still needs lots of exercises to stay healthy. If you don’t want them to fly out of the cage, make sure their wings are trimmed so that they don’t end up in the air.

Whenever you have the time, open the door to your bird’s cage and let it run around freely in an area that has enough room. The most ideal place for the cage of your bird in an apartment is near a window so it can see around your apartment!

Birds are particularly fond of chewing, which is why it is suggested that you do not leave anything that is small, breakable or that may be swallowed by them.

The best way to keep your bird occupied and stimulated is by giving it some pet toys, especially those with bells. Especially if you’ve got a lot of space, you should let your pet play on his own.

From Where to get a Red Rump Parakeet

To find a decent breeder, you will need to do some research, as these birds are not as common in the pet trade. In some cases, if someone has been searching for a breeder locally, they may be able to refer you to a Red Rump by word of mouth.

If you plan on acquiring young birds from a breeder, then be sure that the breeder has the appropriate facilities at their disposal. Also ask what vaccinations he received, when he was born, and the area in which he was acquired.

Get a health guarantee if you get a young bird, and ask the breeder whether he has bred parakeets successfully in the past.

There are numerous shelters in town that have birds available for adoption if you are thinking of adopting your bird instead of purchasing one.

Adopting an animal not only saves lives but also lets you get to know your new bird before you adopt him.

Conclusion

Red Rump parakeets have a wide range of characteristics that make them a great pet for anyone looking for more than just a typical bird to keep as a pet. In addition to being easy to look after and fun to play with, this species has many positive qualities.

The decision to pet birds should, however, be taken after you have conducted a certain amount of research because the birds have certain requirements that are necessary for them to be happy and healthy.