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Moustache parakeets (Psitticula alexandri) Length 12 inches. Moustache parakeets are from the lower Himalayas in northern India and Nepal, through Assam, Burma, the Andaman Islands, southern China, Hainan Island, and Indochina to Java, Bali and islands off western Sumatra. Moustache parakeets are beautiful birds. They are mostly green, with shoulder patches of a soft greenish-yellow. Their breasts are a muted rose color; their heads are blue-ish grey They get their name from the black mask just above their beak. Immature birds have black beaks. Mature males have red beaks, the female's beak remains black. Coloring of subspecies varies slightly. Moustache parakeets are pleasant birds and while capable of loud calls, are generally quiet. They are good talkers, though I have found that the males are generally more talkative than the females. These birds like attention and are easily handled, however they are not cuddlers like some other species of birds.
Here are some baby pictures. |
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These babies are approximately 3 weeks old. No feathers yet! At this age, they really like to "clump" - snuggling close to one another. | ||
| This baby is about 5 weeks old. It has a covering of down and feathers are sprouting. At this age, the babies are curious and alert, and they gently nibble on fingers. |  |
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Here are all 3 babies at about 5 weeks of age. At this point, they have distinct personalities. The older chick generally made softer calls and tended to be more independent. The younger two chicks called loudly to one another and like to "clump". |
| This baby is about 3 months old. At 3 months of age, the babies are fully feathered, learning how hard not to bite, and exploring everything. They eat just about everything, but especially like corn on the cob. Of the clutch shown here, one baby is living with Sally in Pennsylvania; another baby is living John, Susan, and daughter Jamie in Indiana; and the third baby is living with Kevin and his family in upstate New York. |
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| If you are interested in purchasing a young, hand-raised Moustache parakeet, you may contact me at kackoff@iusb.edu. I live near the Chicago area. I do not ship birds. Serious inquiries only please. |
| More pets - Baby Birds | More Baby Birds | Zoon's Page |
| When I'm not cleaning bird cages, I teach Graphic Design in the Fine Arts Program at Indiana University South Bend. |
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Bird links: Up At Six - information on bird care, products Bird Perch Bulletin Board - sponsored by Acme Pet Pet Bird Report - a magazine that deals with behavioral issues of domestic bred parrots Visit my Pet Bird Page. |
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Updated June 2001