Popular Asiatic Parakeets

Popular Asiatic Parakeets

Of the many types of birds that I'm privileged to work with, the Asiatic Parakeets, by and large, have always been my favorite. They are highly intelligent birds with beautiful plumage and a propensity for stealing people's hearts. Highly prized as pets around the world, they have exploded in popularity in recent years for several reasons. Take a look at the information below to learn more about the most popular Asiatic Parakeet species, their defining characteristics, and more.

• Indian Ringneck Parakeets

The beautiful and captivating Indian Ringneck Parakeet has gained a reputation around the world for being one of the best talking bird species. The clarity with which they are able to articulate human speech is nothing short of astounding. In fact, many years ago, religious leaders in the birds' home country of India began to regard them as sacred beings, due to the fact that the parakeets who lived in the gardens around holy sites began to repeat the prayers that they heard others chanting there day after day. As pets, Indian Ringneck Parakeets have a loving disposition and form strong bonds with their owners. Of course, this requires that those who keep them devote ample time to socializing with them each day to keep them tame.

• Alexandrine Parakeets

The popular Alexandrine Parakeets are very closely related to the Indian Ringneck Parakeets -- so much so, that many times the two get mistaken for one another. While they are very similar in the looks department, the biggest giveaway that you are looking at an Alexandrine is its size. Alexandrine Parakeets are significantly larger than Indian Ringnecks, with a larger head and slightly stockier allover build. Nonetheless, they can provide the same gentle companionship as a tame Indian Ringneck and can also learn to speak with incredible skill. The Alexandrines are one of the largest of all parakeets, measuring in at about 25 inches in length including the tail feathers.

• Moustached Parakeets

On the smaller end of the spectrum of Asiatic Parakeets lies the beautifully colored and comically tempered Moustached Parakeet. These birds have become very popular as pets most recently due to their beautiful feathers, but have also won the hearts of many with their adorable personalities. When raised as hand-fed babies and kept tame through regular socialization and bonding, Moustached Parakeets can become excellent companions that form close emotional bonds with their owners. However, some report that once bonded, Moustached Parakeets may turn into "one person" birds, preferring their owner's company above all others and even reacting jealously if their owner shows affection to another animal or even a person.

• Plum Headed Parakeets

The unique looking Plum Headed Parakeets are reported to be very gentle, easygoing birds by those who have kept them. Like many parakeets, they have a rather long life span of up to 30 years or more in captivity, when properly cared for. They are very active birds, and require lots of toys and playthings to keep them occupied when their owners aren't able to spend time with them. Those who are able to satiate the Plum Headed Parakeet's thirst for playtime and socialization will be rewarded with a well adjusted (and rather quiet, owners report) pet.

• African Ringneck Parakeets

African Ringneck Parakeets are almost identical to the Indian Ringneck Parakeets, with the exception of a very subtle difference in their size and the hue of their plumage. African Ringnecks are slightly smaller birds than the Indian Ringneck Parakeets are, making them an ideal choice for those with cozier living quarters. They are also reported by many to be a rather quiet species, although they are able to learn to talk beautifully when taught from a young age. Many bird enthusiasts lament the fact that African Ringnecks aren't as readily available as their larger Indian cousins -- however, more and more breeders seem to be offering this species all the time.