Blue-necked parakeet ( simplex Geoffroyus ) is a species of bird belonging to the family of Psittacidae its a very lovely and cute parrot.
Description
This bird is approximately 22 cm long. The plumage is predominantly green while the bill is black. This species presents a sexual dimorphism: the male sporting a sky blue-collar, coloring is also found under the wings.
Subspecies
The Blue-necked Parakeet is represented by two subspecies:
- simplex
- buergersi
Habitat
This bird lives in gallery forests and primary forests between 800 and 1900 m altitude.
Distribution
This species inhabits central New Guinea.
Origins of the Blue-necked parakeet
The Blue-necked parakeet, also calledPsittacula Kramer after the Australian naturalist Wilhelm Heinrich Kramer, comes from the large species of parakeets from Africa and Asia, called Afro-Asiatic. It is often found in captivity, bred for its beautiful plumage that pleases many, but it can also be found in freedom in Europe.
There is no real subspecies for the Blue-necked parakeet, the only difference being either the size of the bird or the color and size of the beak.
This bird was introduced to Europe and America using its natural distribution. It can be found today in England, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, etc. In Brussels, the population of this parakeet has increased so much that it is estimated at about 10,000 and continues to expand to the point where specialists fear too much competition with other birds.
Physical characteristics of the Blue-necked parakeet
All you need to know about Blue-necked parakeet characteristics
Weight and size
Weight
The Blue-necked parakeet weighs about 117 g
Waist
The ring-necked parakeet can measure from 40 to 41 cm in length and has a wingspan of about 47 cm
Plumage
This Parakeet has light green plumage with a long tail that has azure blue tones. The underside of its wings and belly are yellow and a thin black line runs from the beak to connect the eyes. The upper part of its bill is bright red and the underside is black.
Overall appearance
The Blue-necked parakeet is known for the beauty of its plumage which is very exotic. This species of bird exhibits sexual dimorphism between males and females: males have a black collar and a red stripe at the nape of the neck. Females and the youngest have smaller tails, are lighter, do not have collars, and have several light stripes at the nape of the neck.
This bird has a large round and hooked beak that gives it a special look.
The character of the Blue-necked parakeet
all you need to know about Blue-necked parakeet character
The character of the animal
In its natural state, the ring-necked parakeet is a reckless bird and is not cold in the eyes. He is rather opportunistic and sometimes slightly naughty. It is also a versatile bird that has been able to adapt to very different places. It is not a solitary bird but rather a bird that likes to live in groups.
The ring-necked parakeet is monogamous and chooses a partner to whom he remains faithful.
For courtship, the parakeet behaves differently than most birds. The male strutted while it is the female chirps, wheels her eyes and flaps her wings while making semicircles with her head around the male. Both parakeets emit soft sounds during this parade.
This bird has a direct and fast flight and screams when it flies accompanied by these congeners.
It is a parakeet that is easy to breed, which is why it is very popular with breeders.
The health of the Blue-necked parakeet
All you need to know about the health of the Blue-necked parakeet
The life expectancy of the Blue-necked parakeet
The ring-necked parakeet can live up to 30 years in captivity.
Common health problems
Parakeets face many problems when they live freely: predators (especially cats and rodents), bad weather, etc. but they are also likely to catch serious diseases.
Among the most common, is chlamydia, which is the most feared disease since it is transmitted from birds to humans. The symptoms are numerous: diarrhea, conjunctivitis, difficulty breathing, nervous symptoms, and vomiting. He must be given appropriate medication promptly.
There is Aldo Pacheco, which is caused by herpes and causes liver injuries and can be fatal to the bird within a few days. The symptoms are general malaise, diarrhea, and rapid death. There is no effective drug for a bird that is already affected.
The third most common disease is proventriculus-dilatation-disease, also known as feather and beak disease. It is an incurable disease that causes an increasingly serious dysmorphism in the regrowth of feathers after each molt until the plumage disappears. The beak may also have a deformation. Affected birds show signs of diarrhea, vomiting, or breathing difficulties that may be wrongly associated with another milder disease. In some cases, the disease can lead to hepatitis that will cause its death, without presenting a plumage problem.
When you buy your budgie, you must consult a veterinarian to test the animal for these 3 diseases by a blood test.
Care of the Blue-necked parakeet
The Blue-necked parakeet eats a very balanced diet consisting of nectar, flowers, berries, and seeds, etc.
The ring-necked parakeet is a fairly hardy bird that tolerates winter temperatures well and can live all year round in outdoor aviaries. Nevertheless, the aviary must have a shelter that will protect your budgie from bad weather (including rain).
Despite some reluctance to physical contact that this bird can show, especially if it has not been accustomed to manipulation at an early age, the ring-necked parakeet very particularly needs emotional relationships with its masters. It is not an independent pet and for its well-being, you will have to devote part of your time to it every day.
The ring-necked parakeet needs interaction, and contact, but also physical and intellectual stimulation. Her habitat must be equipped with games that you will think about renewing and varying regularly, and she will be happy to play with you, even to learn a few tricks.
It is not a bird that easily learns to speak, but it can sometimes learn to pronounce a few words and generally imitates various sounds well.
Care and grooming
To take care of its budgie, it is necessary to be attentive to the color of its plumage as well as its weight which are representative of its good health.
It is important to pay attention to the hygiene of the environment in which the budgie lives in order to avoid parasitic infections. Daily it will be necessary to clean the floor of the cage to rid it of excrement, feathers, and seeds projected by the parakeet. Accessories such as perches and feeders should be cleaned regularly, ideally once a week. Finally, be aware that it will be necessary to clean and disinfect the entire cage from top to bottom at least twice a month.
Parakeets do not react well to extreme temperatures and it is, therefore, necessary to avoid drafts too important.
The air must be of good quality (no smoke etc.), and avoid leaving electrical wires at their disposal, lest they electrocute themselves.
Bleu the talking Indian Ringneck
SOURCE: Gina Casieri
