Parrotlet Species
Parrotlets are one of the smallest species of Parrot and the smallest commonly bred parrot in captivity. Parrotlet meaning little Parrot. There are three genus of parrotlets. The commonly known Forpus and the lesser know Touit. There is also the genus Nannopsittaca containing only 2 species the Tepui Parrotlet and the Manu Parrotlet.
Celestial Parrotlet - Forpus coelestis.
Also Known as the Pacific Parrotlet.
Size: 5 (inches give or take.)
Ring size:M (UK)
Weight: 30-35g
Conservation status: Least Concerned
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F.Coelestis
Region: Ecuador and Peru (along the west coast hence the name pacific parrotlet)
Habitat: Dry landscape with plenty of bushes and aviculture.
Celestial / Pacific parrotlets are sexually dimorphic (apart from the albino mutation which requires DNA or black light). The males have cobalt eye markings, rump and in the wing where as the Females lack the cobalt and have dark emerald eye markings but some hens have been known to have blue on their rumps. Celestial / Pacific parrotlets are sexually mature by 10-12 months.
Their is one sub species Forpus Coelestis Lucida (Ridgway’s Parrotlet) although this is debated through out enthusiast as being a pure sub species or not.
Celestial parrotlets come in a beautiful variety of mutations. remember to always breed sensibly.
Coelestis Latin meaning is extraordinary and heavenly.
Available colours.
Size: 5 (inches give or take.)
Ring size:M (UK)
Weight: 30-35g
Conservation status: Least Concerned
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F.Coelestis
Region: Ecuador and Peru (along the west coast hence the name pacific parrotlet)
Habitat: Dry landscape with plenty of bushes and aviculture.
Celestial / Pacific parrotlets are sexually dimorphic (apart from the albino mutation which requires DNA or black light). The males have cobalt eye markings, rump and in the wing where as the Females lack the cobalt and have dark emerald eye markings but some hens have been known to have blue on their rumps. Celestial / Pacific parrotlets are sexually mature by 10-12 months.
Their is one sub species Forpus Coelestis Lucida (Ridgway’s Parrotlet) although this is debated through out enthusiast as being a pure sub species or not.
Celestial parrotlets come in a beautiful variety of mutations. remember to always breed sensibly.
Coelestis Latin meaning is extraordinary and heavenly.
Available colours.
Green Rumped Parrotlet (Forpus Passerinus)
Size: approx 4.5 inches
Ring size:L (UK)
Weight: 18-22g
Conservation status: Least concern
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F.Passerinus
Region: Venezuela, Trinidad (the Island just off Venezuela), Columbia and North eastern areas of Brazil.
Habitat: Pastured land, Shrubbery making use of old nests (such as woodpecker’s and termites). Green rumped Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic. The males have light blue and different shades of violet in the wings, head shows NO blue but is grass green into a grey green tone. The hens have no blue feathering but a yellow triangle above the beak. (This varies through sub-species). The hen is also pretty much same colour all over (grass green shade). A Green rumped sits noticeably different to its Celestial and Spectacled cousins. I find them to ‘hunch’ when relaxed where as the Celestial and Spectacled sit more upright. The green rumped is the only species of Forpus where the male doesn’t have the blue rump (hence its name!) in fact the only blue on a green rumped is in his wing!
Green rumped Parrotlets are sexually mature from 12 months. I also find them easier at bonding also.
Green rumped sub species
Forpus P. Deliciosus. (Delicate green rumped Parrotlet) The hens yellow marking above the beak runs from eye to eye. The males have even less blue marking in the wings. (Image far right bellow) Delisiosus Comes from the latin meaning fine, exquisite.
Forpus P. Viridissimus. (Venezuelan Parrotlet) The hens yellow head marking runs up to the forhead. Male has a very pale blue marking on the rump and in wing in comparison to nominate. Viridissimus also means very green.
Forpus P. Cyanophanes/ Cynophanus (Rio Hacha Parrotlet) Similar to Virdissimus but a more intense violet in the wing. Also when wings are closed more blue is visual to other green rumped sub species. Latin name also meaning blue steel and show.
Forpus P. Cyanochlorus. Has a smaller bill than nominate and has a slightly more yellow tone on under parts. Also known as Schlegel's Parrotlet. Sub species Cyanochlorus name originates from the greek meaning steel blue, black blue.
The green rumped Parrotlet are also available in single and dark factors ( see image of nest bellow).
Spectacled Parrotlet (Forpus Conspicillatus)
Size: 4 ¾ inches
Ring size: L
Weight: 25-28g
Conservation status: Least concern
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F. Conspicllatus
Region: Panama, Venezuela and Columbia
Habitat: heavily degraded former forest or subtropical/tropical moist low
woodlands.
Spectacled parrotlets are sexually dimorphic. Males have violet eye rings and also in their wings and on rump. Hens have bright dark emerald green eye rings, small amount of yellow above beak and no cobalt. Sexually mature by a year of age. Spectacled as pets: They are often described as feisty, intelligent with a big bag full of attitude. Due to this they are very adventurous and must keep an extra close eye on them. Out of all the species the Spectacled is the most likely to learn to talk.
Spectacled Parrotlet Sub-species.
Forpus C. Metae - the males are similar to the nominate Spectacled but underparts have a yellow wash and head a brighter green tone. The blue ring much reduced and mainly a superciliary line. Females also similar to nominate but overall yellow tone to plumage.
Forpus C. Caucae - Males are again similar to nominate but blue sex markings paler and the beak is more heaver. Difference is minor. Cauca is a river in Columbia.
Conspicillatus means show, view, stand out, eye fall.
Available mutations are pied and misty.
Ring size: L
Weight: 25-28g
Conservation status: Least concern
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F. Conspicllatus
Region: Panama, Venezuela and Columbia
Habitat: heavily degraded former forest or subtropical/tropical moist low
woodlands.
Spectacled parrotlets are sexually dimorphic. Males have violet eye rings and also in their wings and on rump. Hens have bright dark emerald green eye rings, small amount of yellow above beak and no cobalt. Sexually mature by a year of age. Spectacled as pets: They are often described as feisty, intelligent with a big bag full of attitude. Due to this they are very adventurous and must keep an extra close eye on them. Out of all the species the Spectacled is the most likely to learn to talk.
Spectacled Parrotlet Sub-species.
Forpus C. Metae - the males are similar to the nominate Spectacled but underparts have a yellow wash and head a brighter green tone. The blue ring much reduced and mainly a superciliary line. Females also similar to nominate but overall yellow tone to plumage.
Forpus C. Caucae - Males are again similar to nominate but blue sex markings paler and the beak is more heaver. Difference is minor. Cauca is a river in Columbia.
Conspicillatus means show, view, stand out, eye fall.
Available mutations are pied and misty.
Yellow Faced Parrotlet - Forpus Xanthops.
Size: 5.5-6 inches
Ring size: M
Weight: 50g
Conservation status: Vunrable
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F. Xanthops
Region: Peru, (mainly Maranon Valley Northern Peru)
Habitat: In very small flocks before breeding season, out skirts of tropical woodlands. Altitudes of up to 1,700 meters. This species is declining in the wild due to habitat loss and poachers.
Yellow Faced Parrotlets are the largest in the Forpus genus. A distinctive feature of theirs is the grey marking on the upper mandible. Again yellow Faced Parrotlet are sexually dimorphic. Males can be identified by the grey/blue eye marking, males have a stronger violet in the rump and the flight feathers are blue/cobalt. Unlike other Forpus the Yellow Faced is sexually mature at 2 years of age and more difficult to breed compared to their more known fellow Forpus and will breed more successfully in roomy cages/flights (Minimum 1.2 meters long) they also require humidity of 80% which is higher than other Forpus . It is also believed the grey marking on the mandible becomes enlarged when in condition to breed.
In the UK these beautiful birds are hard to come by and expensive in comparison to other species. This species is affectionate compared to others and can become very trusting.
Xanthops the meaning in Greek is Golden eye/ face/ presence.
Blue Winged Parrotlet - Forpus Xanthopterygius
Size: 5.1-5.5 inches
Ring size: M (Spengeli L)
Weight: 35-40g
Conservation status: Least concern
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F. Xanthopterygius
Region: Central and South Eastern parts of South America. Also Known as the 'common Parrotlet
Habitat: Woodland, Pastures, Scrub and Savannah. Flocks of 20-50 birds can also be seen at a time.
Blue winged Parrotlets are also sexually dimorphic, the cocks again have the violet in rump and cobalt in the wings. This species lacks the blue on the face. This species also has larger eyes compared to its tear shaped body A characteristic to help easily identify from other species of Forpus. This species is a really difficult species to find pure and are a small handful of pure breeders in mainland Europe. They have regularly been hybridized with Mexicans and the green rumped Parrotlets (especially the sub species F.P Deliciosus). So to find pure would be almost impossible and they are very expensive.
The Blue winged Parrotlet has the most sub species.
Blue winged Sub species
Forpus X. Flavissimus (Ceara blue winged Parrotlet) - Similar to nominate but paler and more yellow/green. Face is a brighter yellow and more yellow. Flavissimus meaning very yellow.
Forpus X. Spengeli (Spengel's Parrotlet)- smaller build compered to the nominate. The noticeable difference is in the wings Less blue and a more turquoise tone. Also the pale turquoise rump is a great way to distinguish this sub species from the others. This species is often hybridized with Mexican and Green rumped Parrotlets. So keeping pure is very essential. The sub species Spengeli was discovered by Dr. Johann Wilhelm Spengel.
Forpus X. Flavescens (Salvadori's Parrotlet) -Again similar to nominate and paler like the Flavissimus but more yellow in the plumage and the males sex markings are a more paler blue. Latin name meaning Golden Yellow and freely.
Forpus X. Crassirostris (Large billed Parrotlet)- As the name gives away this sub species has a much larger beak compared to the other sub species of blue winged. The males cheeks and forheard are a bright green. The males have a reddish violet tone on rump and in the wings the hens have no yellow. Crassus meaning thick beak.
Forpus X. Olallae - similar to Crassirostris only darker overall. With males the blue markings are noticabley darker also.
This sub species is named after one of the largest animal collectors Alfonso Olalla.
(Both images above of the Blue winged Parrotlet Flavissimus are curtsy of Hans Schipper).
(Images bellow of Blue winged Spengeli pictures are curtsy of Kevin Sanfelix, Spain.)
Forpus X. Flavissimus (Ceara blue winged Parrotlet) - Similar to nominate but paler and more yellow/green. Face is a brighter yellow and more yellow. Flavissimus meaning very yellow.
Forpus X. Spengeli (Spengel's Parrotlet)- smaller build compered to the nominate. The noticeable difference is in the wings Less blue and a more turquoise tone. Also the pale turquoise rump is a great way to distinguish this sub species from the others. This species is often hybridized with Mexican and Green rumped Parrotlets. So keeping pure is very essential. The sub species Spengeli was discovered by Dr. Johann Wilhelm Spengel.
Forpus X. Flavescens (Salvadori's Parrotlet) -Again similar to nominate and paler like the Flavissimus but more yellow in the plumage and the males sex markings are a more paler blue. Latin name meaning Golden Yellow and freely.
Forpus X. Crassirostris (Large billed Parrotlet)- As the name gives away this sub species has a much larger beak compared to the other sub species of blue winged. The males cheeks and forheard are a bright green. The males have a reddish violet tone on rump and in the wings the hens have no yellow. Crassus meaning thick beak.
Forpus X. Olallae - similar to Crassirostris only darker overall. With males the blue markings are noticabley darker also.
This sub species is named after one of the largest animal collectors Alfonso Olalla.
(Both images above of the Blue winged Parrotlet Flavissimus are curtsy of Hans Schipper).
(Images bellow of Blue winged Spengeli pictures are curtsy of Kevin Sanfelix, Spain.)
Mexican Parrotlet - Forpus Cyanopygius
Size: 5.1-5.5inches
Ring size: M
Weight: 40g
Conservation status:
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: Cyanopygius
Region: Western Mexico joining Gulf of Mexico. The western slopes of Sierra madre to Durango.
Habitat: Along water courses, sub tropical or topical dry scrubland.
The Mexican Parrotlet is also sexually dimorphic the male can be identified by its sky blue rump and throughout the wings are various blue tones. The female will lack this. Mexican Parrotlets are more difficult to breed. Breeding once every 1-2 years. They are also the only Parrotlet who can be colony bred and has done so successfully my Sandee Molenda. They are very social in the wild also and can live in flocks up to 50.
Again obtaining a pure pair would be very difficult and only a few legit breeders in Europe. These again would be very expensive, many are put off by the difficulty in breeding Mexican Parrotlets.
Ring size: M
Weight: 40g
Conservation status:
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: Cyanopygius
Region: Western Mexico joining Gulf of Mexico. The western slopes of Sierra madre to Durango.
Habitat: Along water courses, sub tropical or topical dry scrubland.
The Mexican Parrotlet is also sexually dimorphic the male can be identified by its sky blue rump and throughout the wings are various blue tones. The female will lack this. Mexican Parrotlets are more difficult to breed. Breeding once every 1-2 years. They are also the only Parrotlet who can be colony bred and has done so successfully my Sandee Molenda. They are very social in the wild also and can live in flocks up to 50.
Again obtaining a pure pair would be very difficult and only a few legit breeders in Europe. These again would be very expensive, many are put off by the difficulty in breeding Mexican Parrotlets.
Mexican Sub Species
Forpus C. Pallidus - Overall paler than the nominate. More of an ashy colour above
and yellow underneath. Also known as the Sonora Parrotlet. Pallidus
meaning pale yellow.
Forpus C. Insularis- Males have a
cobalt blue rump with violet highlights. Also on both sexes underneath is
darker. Aklso called the Tres Marias Parrotlet as they are only inhabited on the
Tres Marias Islands. Insularis meaning Island.
(Images of the Mexican Parrotet are curtsy of Hans Schipper.)
Forpus C. Pallidus - Overall paler than the nominate. More of an ashy colour above
and yellow underneath. Also known as the Sonora Parrotlet. Pallidus
meaning pale yellow.
Forpus C. Insularis- Males have a
cobalt blue rump with violet highlights. Also on both sexes underneath is
darker. Aklso called the Tres Marias Parrotlet as they are only inhabited on the
Tres Marias Islands. Insularis meaning Island.
(Images of the Mexican Parrotet are curtsy of Hans Schipper.)
Sclater's Parrotlet - Forpus sclateri
Size: approx 4.8-5 inches
Ring size: Not kept in Captivity
Weight: 30-35g (approx.)
Conservation status: Least concern
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F.Sclateri (formally Forpus Modestus)
Region: south Colombia, north and west Brazil, north-eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru and north Bolivia. A small range found in East Colombia. South Venezuela, Guyana and northern Brazil.
Habitat: along rivers (banks), thick woodlands topical areas.
Other names for the Sclater’s parrotlet are the Dusky billed Parrotlet and black billed parrot.
The Sclater’s Parrotlet is noticeably darker than other Forpus, with an emerald green over the cheeks and forehead. Males have a blue/violet rump and lower back, again darker than any other Forpus. Also Blue, Violet tones in the wings. Females Lack all Blue and replaced by green. Little is known of this species as its not kept or bred in captivity.
Sclater's Sub Species
Forpus S. Eidos
– Males are like the nominate but overall plumage lighter and more yellow. Rump a paler Violet. Females again similar to nominate but again overall lighter plumage and a lighter yellow upon the breast area. Eidos originates from the Greek meaning stature and beauty.
Ring size: Not kept in Captivity
Weight: 30-35g (approx.)
Conservation status: Least concern
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Forpus
Species: F.Sclateri (formally Forpus Modestus)
Region: south Colombia, north and west Brazil, north-eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru and north Bolivia. A small range found in East Colombia. South Venezuela, Guyana and northern Brazil.
Habitat: along rivers (banks), thick woodlands topical areas.
Other names for the Sclater’s parrotlet are the Dusky billed Parrotlet and black billed parrot.
The Sclater’s Parrotlet is noticeably darker than other Forpus, with an emerald green over the cheeks and forehead. Males have a blue/violet rump and lower back, again darker than any other Forpus. Also Blue, Violet tones in the wings. Females Lack all Blue and replaced by green. Little is known of this species as its not kept or bred in captivity.
Sclater's Sub Species
Forpus S. Eidos
– Males are like the nominate but overall plumage lighter and more yellow. Rump a paler Violet. Females again similar to nominate but again overall lighter plumage and a lighter yellow upon the breast area. Eidos originates from the Greek meaning stature and beauty.
Tips on Identifying Species and Hybrids.
In the UK the main established species are Celestial, Spectacled, Green rumped and Yellow Faced. So Understanding how to identify a pure species is important to keep the Parrotlet strain as pure as possible!
The descriptions above should help. But below I will point out the vital differences within species:
Celestial Parrotlets.
The more 'common' Parrotlet. Approx. 5inchs. 30-35g Pretty straight posture. Beak is noticeably bigger when put next to a Green rumped or Spectacled.
Cocks have a light green face, mantle and back olive green with grey wash, wings olive grey wash, dark green and cobalt. You can sex male by the cobalt eye streak, rump, flight feathers and coverts. (although some hens also have blue rumps which indicates a mix of the sub species 'lucida)
Hens- have a light grass green face, mantle and back dark green with grey wash, lower back and rump dark
green with a blue wash, mix of light green,dark green, dark grey with yellow washes. No cobalt on hens (unless like mentioned above lucida)
Spectacled Parrotlets
The 'less common' parrotlet. Approx. 4 3/4 inches. 25-28g tail goes out like more of a 'fan' than a 'point'.
The cock will have a dark green face, merging to green/grey. Back dark green, wings dark green, cobalt, violet,
sky blue, green. You can sex by the light cobalt eye ring, violet rump and the blues in wing.
The face/ head is a light grass green going into dark green with emerald spectacled detail, back a dark
green, wings also a dark green, dark grey , sea green, yellow. Hens have no blue at all.
Green rumped Parrotlets
These picked up and have now gone 'quiet' again; sometimes they are 'popular' and sometimes you may
not see them available for a while. I believe they are just not as popular as the Celestials due to the lack of mutations.
They are 4.5 inches. 18-22g their posture is quite 'angled' when sitting comportably on the perch. Almost hunched back looking. Cock- light apple green face running to dark green/ grey wash. Mantle and back dark green lower back and rump dark green. wings dark green, light green, sky blue, violet and dark violet. A cock green rumped should only have a small amount of blue in their wing and none anywhere else on the body.
Hen- grass green with yellow forehead (the yellow above the beak indicates different subspecies, a normate green rumped would only have a small triangle but where subspecies have 'mixed' we get all indications on different subspecies) , light green body, wings dark green, light green and grass green. Hens have no blue at all.
Below are some Green Rumped hybrid examples; as you can see the blue in the wing is too much in pic 1. Also colour in rump is a give away! possibly inbred with Celestials. Pic 2 Green rumped should have small beaks the hens eyes appear too large for the body also she is a large size. Again possible celestial cross. Cock is also too dark. Pic 2 she is very tear shaped could be possible bred with a blue winged. A lot of yellow on the mask also.
The descriptions above should help. But below I will point out the vital differences within species:
Celestial Parrotlets.
The more 'common' Parrotlet. Approx. 5inchs. 30-35g Pretty straight posture. Beak is noticeably bigger when put next to a Green rumped or Spectacled.
Cocks have a light green face, mantle and back olive green with grey wash, wings olive grey wash, dark green and cobalt. You can sex male by the cobalt eye streak, rump, flight feathers and coverts. (although some hens also have blue rumps which indicates a mix of the sub species 'lucida)
Hens- have a light grass green face, mantle and back dark green with grey wash, lower back and rump dark
green with a blue wash, mix of light green,dark green, dark grey with yellow washes. No cobalt on hens (unless like mentioned above lucida)
Spectacled Parrotlets
The 'less common' parrotlet. Approx. 4 3/4 inches. 25-28g tail goes out like more of a 'fan' than a 'point'.
The cock will have a dark green face, merging to green/grey. Back dark green, wings dark green, cobalt, violet,
sky blue, green. You can sex by the light cobalt eye ring, violet rump and the blues in wing.
The face/ head is a light grass green going into dark green with emerald spectacled detail, back a dark
green, wings also a dark green, dark grey , sea green, yellow. Hens have no blue at all.
Green rumped Parrotlets
These picked up and have now gone 'quiet' again; sometimes they are 'popular' and sometimes you may
not see them available for a while. I believe they are just not as popular as the Celestials due to the lack of mutations.
They are 4.5 inches. 18-22g their posture is quite 'angled' when sitting comportably on the perch. Almost hunched back looking. Cock- light apple green face running to dark green/ grey wash. Mantle and back dark green lower back and rump dark green. wings dark green, light green, sky blue, violet and dark violet. A cock green rumped should only have a small amount of blue in their wing and none anywhere else on the body.
Hen- grass green with yellow forehead (the yellow above the beak indicates different subspecies, a normate green rumped would only have a small triangle but where subspecies have 'mixed' we get all indications on different subspecies) , light green body, wings dark green, light green and grass green. Hens have no blue at all.
Below are some Green Rumped hybrid examples; as you can see the blue in the wing is too much in pic 1. Also colour in rump is a give away! possibly inbred with Celestials. Pic 2 Green rumped should have small beaks the hens eyes appear too large for the body also she is a large size. Again possible celestial cross. Cock is also too dark. Pic 2 she is very tear shaped could be possible bred with a blue winged. A lot of yellow on the mask also.
Touit
Forpus are not the only Genus of Parrotlet, there is also the lesser known Touit Genus. They are mostly green and stocky in build. They are secretive and can be difficult to identify.
Lilac Tailed Parrotlet -Touit batavicus.
Aproximatly 5.5 inches in length. They are the only Parrotlet that both sexes are identical. They have a remarkably beautiful colouration, with a yellow /green head, black on the back and wing covers. When the wing is closed goes from black to yellow, to blue to black again. Lower rump is yellow then going into a beautiful violet for the tail. Under part green and yellow washes. The bill is rather large in comparison to most species and rather narrow.
The Lilac tailed Parrotlet is only found in small parts of Venezuala, the Island of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Their inconspicuous habits make it even harder to find.
Scarlet shouldered Parrotlet - Touit huetii
Red Fronted Parrotlet - Touit costaricensis
Blue Fronted Parrotlet - Touit dilectissimus
Sapphire Rumped Parrotlet - Touit purpuratus
Brown Backed Parrotlet - Touit melanonotus
Golden Tailed Parrotlet - Touit surdus
Spot Winged Parrotlet - Touit stictopterus
Lilac Tailed Parrotlet -Touit batavicus.
Aproximatly 5.5 inches in length. They are the only Parrotlet that both sexes are identical. They have a remarkably beautiful colouration, with a yellow /green head, black on the back and wing covers. When the wing is closed goes from black to yellow, to blue to black again. Lower rump is yellow then going into a beautiful violet for the tail. Under part green and yellow washes. The bill is rather large in comparison to most species and rather narrow.
The Lilac tailed Parrotlet is only found in small parts of Venezuala, the Island of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Their inconspicuous habits make it even harder to find.
Scarlet shouldered Parrotlet - Touit huetii
Red Fronted Parrotlet - Touit costaricensis
Blue Fronted Parrotlet - Touit dilectissimus
Sapphire Rumped Parrotlet - Touit purpuratus
Brown Backed Parrotlet - Touit melanonotus
Golden Tailed Parrotlet - Touit surdus
Spot Winged Parrotlet - Touit stictopterus