Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Kat Hull - Breeder of Lineolated Parakeets
Lineolated Parakeet
Scientific name : Bolborhynchus lineola lineola
Origins: Lineolated Parakeets originate from Central America, their natural habitat are the high mountains of South Mexico to West Panama. They are camouflaged in the trees due to their natural colouring. They live in flocks of 6 – 30 birds in dense forests. Due to their habitat they are able to withstand a range of temperature climates and have been seen in snow! Lineolated Parakeets have been seen in tree-poor savannahs, light forests and the wet forests of the subtropical zone of central America. During summer month they prefer heights between 1500 – 2300m. In the winter month they stay in areas of 600m height. The original bird is green of colour and about 19cm/7.5'' in length and weigh on average 47 – 55 grams.
Plumage Colouration: The original colouration for Lineolated Parakeets is green with black markings, but there are various mutations. These include: blue, turquoise, aqua, dark green, olive, mauve, cobalt, lutino, cinnamon, silver (or grey) and golden.
Description: The bill is the most remarkable characteristic of these parakeets. It is penetrated, looks as if swollen. The wax skin has no plumage, neither has a narrow eye ring.The nostrils are exposed. The tail is short and pointed. The Lineolated Parakeet doesn't show clear sex differences.
Sexing: Lineolated Parakeets are difficult to sex. In some mutations it is nearly impossible to tell by just looking at them. Experienced breeders tend to sex their stock by feeling the gap between the pelvis, which is larger in hens. The two tail feathers are probably the most well-known plumage characteristic. In male parakeets the black colouring can be more than half of the tail feather, whereas the females have none or only a smaller black colouring. But some males have no or only a smaller black colouring of the tail feather. Also the overall plumage can be weaker with the females, particular at the back, the lower tail surface and the wings.The colouration will become stronger when the birds are older.A grown female might develop a blue glow at the head whilst the male have a more yellowish head. But again this is not seen in all birds and only suitable for the green coloured birds.
Feeding: Lineolated Parakeets can be feed a good parakeet mix, some mix 1 part parakeet mix, 1 part grouts, ½ part small white sunflower and ¼ part hemp. It is essential to provide fresh fruit or vegetables. Pay attention to the droppings, if they become too liquid, reduce the quantities of fresh fruit or vegetables given.Some breeders offer their birds 50% fruit and vegetables, 10% grasses and herbs and 40% seeds.Calcium and minerals are essential to young and breeding. Cuttle fish and occasionally mineral block or supplements that can be sprinkled over food or water should be provided.Water should be changed daily, it can be provided in a 'hamster style' water bottle, the type with a metal ball at the end of a tube, as the birds won't foul the water and they take to them easily. Especially during breeding time the birds need egg food, this is also helpful when looking after an ill bird.
Fruit and vegetable that some Lineolated like best: apples (but no pips), chicoree, figs, fennel, sweetcorn, grated carrot, japanese pear, cherry, physalis, pepper, grapes
Fruit and vegetables that some Lineolated like:orange, banana, tamarillo, salad, cauliflower, pear, broccoli, black berry, strawberry, grapefruit, blue berry, raspberry, honey melon, black currant, elderberry, star fruit, potato (boiled and not salted), kiwi, tangerine, papaya, passion fruit, plum, radish, cucumber, celery, tomato, watermelon, eggplant
Fruit and vegetables that some Lineolated don't like: apricot, date, nectarine, peach, spinach, onion, garlic
Please remember that each Lineolated Parakeet has their own taste and the above mentioned are only suggestions.
Wild herbs that can be fed: Plantago major, Bellis perennis, Polygonum persicaria, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Taraxum officinale, Calendula officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Stellaria media.
Grasses that can be fed: Dactylis glomerata, Poa trivialis, Bromus sterilis and Bromus hordeaceus, Alopecurus pratensis, Holcus lanatus.
Silica: This fine mineral powder is particularly importantly for the regeneration of the plumage as well as for all horn parts at the bird, thus bill and claws. Sprinkled over the grain it is well accepted by the birds.
Clay: Lineolated Parakeets visit the clay banks regularly when living in the wild, one can offer clay in a bowl.
Breeding: Lineolated Parakeets can reach sexual maturity as early as 5 month of age, but it is recommended to wait until the birds reach 12 month of age. A traditional budgie type nest box is sufficient but some breeders add an entry tunnel to the front of the box to create an 'L' shape format. Some breeders use sawdust, others use nesting material consisting of coconut fibre. Lineolated Parakeets will breed up to three times a year but it is recommended to limit it to twice a year. During breeding supply plenty of egg mixture, germinated seeds and grated vegetables.The breeding period is between April and August, but when kept indoors in a warm environment it is possible to breed throughout the year. The courting ritual is rather inconspicuous. The mating can last up to five minutes and the parakeets can hardly be disturbed. The male puts a leg on the back of the female, the other one remains on the bar. The hen will lay one egg every other day and the average clutch consists of between four and seven eggs. The incubation period is between 18 to 23 days. The average egg size is about 20 x 15 mm, and the eggs are evenly white. After only four days thin vein's show that the eggs are fertilized. After seven days the fertile eggs discolour darkly. The male will feed the female who will remain inside the nesting box but will occasionally pop out to top up on food or water. The chicks leave the nest after four to six weeks, three weeks after this they will be weaned and will be able to live by themselves. At this stage it is advised to separate the youngsters from the parents if and when a new clutch is imminent.
Problems with breeding: The fact that young birds of the previous brood might use the nesting box to sleep can lead to disturbances of the female. The new eggs might even be destroyed. To avoid problems place another box in the cage. The female will use the new nesting box for the next brood.
Behaviour: Lineolated Parakeets prefer climbing to flying and it is essential to provide different sized perches. A favourite is a ring where the parakeets can climb through.Lineolated Parkeets are quiet birds compared with other parakeets. They can be very noise for shorter periods of time and on certain times of day.The behaviour of Lineolated Parakeets in a flock is roughly the same as the behaviour of individual pairs. Social activities include cuddling and grooming. The life of Lineolated Parakeets is more multicolored and exciting in a flock than when keeping individuals.
Unique Characteristics: Lineolated Parakeets are easy to tame and can be hand reared from three weeks onwards. Many Lineolated Parakeets enjoy spray baths, their immediate response is to hang upside down with wings and feathers fully extended to soak up as much water as possible. (What a sight to see when our five Linnies are hanging up side down, soaking wet!)The call is a chattering sound and as a flock they can get loud. They chatter mostly in the early and late hours of the day and are quiet in between unless something strange and unfamiliar enters into their sight. They try to communicate, for example when I haven't fed them yet and they are getting hungry they try to get my attention. The toenails can grow long and will curl, if that happens they need to be clipped.The Lineolated Parakeets have a quiet and tender personality. They are active and talkative and fun to watch. They like using toys but are not destructive.
“Lineolated Parakeets make perfect pets. They are small, the size of a budgie, they are great clowns and fun to watch.The Lineolated Parakeet has the advantage of having a parrot-like personality in a small package. They are not destructive, have a quiet voice, and when hand-fed make delightful pets and good talkers.Lineolated are hardy birds. Not overly active, they do not require a big aviary or flight cage. Pairs are happiest housed in a secluded location.” (Kat Hull)
My husband said, "I wish we had known about these guys before we got all the others. They are like big parrots in tiny bodies, much easier to take care of." (Dee)
I have had Calvin for about a year now. He has loads of personality, learns songs very quickly, and has a vocabulary of about 10 words. He seems to prefer singing, though - I'm constantly amazed at how quickly he learns them. About linnies -- they prefer to climb, so if you didn't know already, load the cage with lots of perches. I love their walk (and they walk fast) - they toe in and look a lot like little gorillas. (CritterLover)
Useful websites:
www.katharinasittiche.de
English : Lineolated parakeet, Catherine parakeet
French : Perruche Catherine, Toui Catherine, Perruche rayée
Italian : Parocchetto barrato
Spanish : Perico barrado, Perico listado, Catita manchada
Portuguese : Periquito catarina
German : Katharinasittich
Dutch : Catharina parkiet
Danish : Katarinaparakit
Norwegian : Catharinaparakitt
Swedish : Katharinaparakit
Polish : Stokówka prazkowana
Tscheck : Aymara pruhovaný
Hungarian : Katalin-papagáj
Finnish : Raita-aratti
Japanese : SAZANAMI-INKO
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