The Alexandrine Parrot

The Alexandrine Parrot

 

Introduction

I like my man slender and tall. My two dogs are also slender and tall. So it comes as no surprise that my favourite bird is the largest and the longest of the Asiatic parrot family – the Alexandrine Parrot Psittacula Eupatria. My husband, George, and I have been successfully breeding this species for over 20 years.

Description

The Alexandrine Parrot – a large bird with a streamlined body and elongated central tail feathers – is an excellent example of a good-feathered bird. The cock has predominately green plumage, a rose-pink collar, a purple-red patch on the wings and a broad black stripe across the lower cheeks. The tail is blue, tipped with yellow. The mandible is red with a paler tip. The iris is pale yellow, the legs grey-green. The hen is duller in colour, lacks the rose-pink collar and the black stripe and has a shorter tail. Juveniles are similar to the hen. The cocks do not attain adult plumage until they are 2-3 years of age.


Housing

The Alexandrine Parrot is a hardy species that will breed readily in a variety of environment. Due to the uneven terrain on our property, we use mainly suspended aviaries, measuring 4 metres long x 0.9 metres wide x 1.2 metres high. The suspended aviaries in our new complex are 4.8 metres long x 0.9 metres wide x 1.2 metres high.

Aviaries should be constructed using metal ie aluminium or steel materials. Living in North Queensland we recently witnessed the destructive forces of Cyclone Larry. This made us realize that our aviaries need to be very sturdy to withstand strong winds. Much more steel has been used in our new complex.

In our older aviaries the galvanized wire mesh is 12.5mm x 12.5mm and 1.6mm thick (16 gauge). For some Alexandrine Parrots this is fine, however for young cocks who continually need to occupy their large beaks, do not find 16 gauge wire very challenging. In our new complex we used 14 gauge (2mm) wire, which will not be destroyed by the birds.

Perches should be natural timber branches – preferably the hardest that you can find such as ironbark, paperbark, or rosewood. Softer woods are not sturdy enough to withstand the destructive beaks of these parrots.

Nestboxes

Most of our nestboxes are made of heavy plywood. These measure 30cm square x 60cm deep and are filled with untreated wood shavings and peatmoss. A mesh ladder placed inside the nestbox provides the hen with an easy exit out of the box. Some of the hens completely refurbish their nestboxes, creating airflow vents by chewing through the wood. We have started to attach natural spouts to the nestboxes, hoping that this might stop the hens from destroying them – and the nestboxes will look more natural.

Holding Aviary

Young birds are housed in a large holding aviary measuring 18 metres long x 4 metres wide x 2.5 metres high. We call it the ‘kindergarten’ because the youngsters remain there until they are three years of age. Currently the aviary houses approximately 35 Alexandrine Parrots from the 2004 and 2005 breeding seasons.

In the holding aviary juveniles learn to socialize in a large group. Because they have plenty of room to fly, they also learn to use and exercise their long tail feathers. We recently observed one two-year-old cock mating with a hen in front of an audience of young birds that watched in amazement. I believe that this role-modelling behaviour is a great way for the birds to learn. The addition of a variety of tree stumps, natural nesting logs and branches also provides them with exploration and foraging opportunities.

The holding aviary is set against the rock wall of a hill, which forms part of their housing. The natural clay wall on top of the rocks forms a wide ledge, which the young birds use as a playing platform. At certain times of the year they also consume some of the clay.

Some years back we had a bushfire on our property – the only day that I was not at home, of course. Amazingly enough, the shadecloth on one end of the aviary was burned but the rest of the aviary was untouched. And the birds survived, probably by hiding in the rock wall or against the brick wall on the other side of the aviary.

Diet

The basic diet is a quality small parrot mix, fruit and vegetables. Alexandrine Parrots are not fussy eaters and will consume a variety of nutritious foods. They should be given the opportunity to try a large variety of fruits and vegetables, eg rockmelon, pawpaw, passionfruit, mango, guava, carrots, corn on the cob and dark leafy greens.

Branches from non-toxic trees and shrubs laden with buds, nuts and seeds are also provided. These items not only keep our parrots entertained for long periods but also satisfy their chewing urges and alleviate boredom.

Sprouted seeds are offered in the breeding season. However, during the hot North Queensland summer we do not offer sprouted seeds because the humidity is too high and the seeds quickly become contaminated. We also offer softfoods, eg sprouted seeds, pulses and egg and biscuit mix, to chicks that are being weaned.

Breeding

The breeding season in North Queensland starts from July onwards. Alexandrine Parrots normally produce one clutch of 3-4 eggs a year. Some pairs will produce a second clutch when the chicks or eggs are removed from the nest. Only the hen incubates the eggs, the incubation period lasting approximately 26 days. The chicks leave the nest at approximately seven weeks of age.

Most Alexandrine Parrot hens will go to great lengths to protect their offspring. An incident that happened here a couple of years ago highlights this characteristic. A snake invaded a nestbox containing a hen and her chicks. The hen killed the snake, which I later found decaying in a circle around the young – they were unharmed!

Handrearing

Handrearing is a rewarding job but not for everyone. Of utmost importance is good hygiene management and a balanced feeding regime, using a good quality handrearing formula. If you are not committed to handrearing chicks, let the parent birds raise the young themselves or use foster-parent birds.

Companion Birds

Being very inquisitive and intelligent, Alexandrine Parrots make delightful companion birds. Handreared birds are particularly affectionate and playful. These parrots will also readily mimic any sound they hear. One of our parrots always makes me smile when I hear him say ‘hello’ in a high-pitched feminine voice followed immediately afterwards by a ‘hello’ in a deep masculine voice. Once our companion birds have learnt a particular skill they do not forget it, even when returned to the aviary to breed.

Behaviour

Some people are scared of the Alexandrine Parrot’s huge red beak which can definitely inflict pain, if the bird decides to bite you. However, a well-trained bird will gently take seed from your hand. By carefully observing the bird’s body language you can tell whether it is going to behave aggressively towards you. Alexandrine Parrots use eye-pinning to show they are either excited or about to act defensively. Either way, it is a warning signal for you not to come any closer or the bird may bite.

Noise Levels

Alexandrine Parrots can be very noisy. They have a loud, piercing call and are mostly vocal during the early daylight hours and late afternoon. Keep this in mind if you are an urban dweller and wish to purchase a pet Alexandrine Parrot. You will need to have understanding neighbours.

During the day we can always hear squawking of whistling coming from our 65 aviaries. However, if it suddenly becomes quiet, alarm bells start ringing in my head. During the deadly silence the birds usually look fearfully towards the sky. The calm is then followed piercing alarm shrieks. At certain times of the year this disturbance is caused by birds of prey looking for their next meal – hopefully a fat juicy rodent or snake on our property – and not one of our precious birds.

Mutations

Overseas breeders are reported to have developed the Lutino, Blue, Pied and ‘Clearhead’ mutations in the Alexandrine Parrot.

In Australia, mutations have been developed through hybridization with the Indian Ringnecked Parrot. This practice is not to be encouraged as extensive genetic knowledge, patience and responsible breeding programs are paramount.

It has taken us over 20 years, following a strict ethical breeding program, to develop the attractive Lutino, Grey/Green, Blue, and Cinnamon mutations. This is an ongoing breeding program spanning over 6-7 generations.

Conclusion

However you prefer your human partner, pets or birds, they all need the same care and attention – including a pleasant environment, a healthy diet and a relationship based on trust and respect. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Thankfully we are all individuals with different tastes and wishes.