The three smallest members of the parrot family are the parrotlet (Forpus), budgerigar (Melopsittacus), and the lovebird (Agapornis). At CranburyBirds we breed two of the three, the parrotlet and the lovebird. While the parrotlet has seven distinct species only three are are usually kept as pets. The Pacific or Celestial Parrotlet is by far the most numerous and popular in the United States and the only parrotlet bred at Cranbury Birds.
The lovebird family includes nine species only five of which are kept as pets. The Peachfaced Lovebird is the most common, readily available and the most popular. Coming in a multitude of colors the lovebird is only surpassed by the budgerigar in terms of colored mutations. At this time Cranbury Birds only breeds the Peachface Lovebird.
Pacific Parrotlets are native to South America from the regions near Peru and Ecuador. They range in size from 4 1/2 to 6 inches and in the wild form are green. Pacific Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic. Males exhibit distinct coloration differences than females. The male is olive green and has striking blue markings on the wings, back, rump and behind the eyes. The females lack the blue markings and have an emerald streak behind the eyes and are various shades of green. There are several color mutations of the Pacific Parrotlet available and at Cranbury Birds we breed green, blue, yellow and white.
Lovebirds are native to Africa and its surrounding islands. The Peachfaced lovebird is found near the southwestern coastal plains of Angola and northern Namibia. Slightly larger than parrotlets lovebirds range in size from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches with a solid, sturdy build. In the wild the Peachfaced Lovebird is bright green with a turquoise rump and a bright red face and bib. The Peachfaced lovebird is not sexually dimorphic and determining sex can be difficult for even the most experienced breeder. DNA testing or surgical procedure are the most accurate sexing methods available if known gender is a necessity. At Cranbury Birds we breed many of the various colored mutations, including, but not limited to, wild type green, lutino, creamino, seagreen, blue, whiteface, violet, cinnamon, pied, and orangeface.
Both the parrotlet and the lovebird make wonderful companions, provided they receive frequent attention and handling. They are entertaining, have lively and unique personalities and have more energy then their small size would suggest. The life span of each species is between 10 and 15 years and on occasion, with the correct care and yearly veterinary visits 20 years of constant joy and entertainment is possible.
