Neophema Splendida
by Josie Koning
Dutch Tweet Aviaries
Santa Rosa, California

The Scarlet-Chested Parakeet is a very attractive grass parakeet with beautiful coloring. Its overall length is approximately 20cm or 8 inches, The adult male has a turquoise blue head with its face being more brilliant blue and it has a black beak. Its back is a grass green. The lower parts of the chest and tail area are a rich yellow with the upper part of the chest being a vivid scarlet. Its wings are a deep blue with a turquoisine blue. The Hen's breast is greenish without the scarlet and the head lacks the bright blue. The juveniles resemble the hen but are slightly duller in color.

The call of the Scarlet-Chested Parakeet is soft, musical and very pleasant to hear but non-disturbing to neighbors. Therefore, this species makes a good aviary bird for birdkeepers in residential neighborhoods. We have one breeding pair housed with finches in an aviary 8 ft. long, 6 ft. high and 4 ft. wide. They get along quite well, even while rearing their young.

Scarlet-chested parakeets are suitable for breeding when they are one year old. Usually there are 3 to 6 eggs in a clutch, which take about 18-19 days to hatch. Newly hatched chicks are covered with a white down. The young fledge at 4 weeks, and 3 weeks after they have fledged the young are independent. At the age of 3-4 months the red breast feathers will appear in the young males. We provide a good parakeet seed for our birds to which we add some safflower seed. Since they are housed with finches a finch seed mix is also available to the Scarlet Chested parakeets. All the birds enjoy Petamine and spray millet. Besides the seed we provide them with egg food to which we add corn, carrots and sprouts. This makes the mixture slightly moist and it is devoured quickly by the grass parakeets and finches (gouldians, parrot finches, owl finches, and others). We also give this egg food to our cockatiels and canaries. The egg mixture is given daily during breeding season and 2-3 times a week otherwise. They also get a variety of shredded mixed vegetables blended with apple and rice or they are given dark leafy greens. Cuttlebone is available at all times and egg shell is provided to help with the calcium requirements. Of course, the egg shell has to be washed and boiled for 20 minutes to prevent the possible contamination of salmonella. Once you see this little bird you are bound to fall in love with it.

Scarlet Chested parakeets are not too hard to obtain and reasonably priced. In pet stores these birds are a rare find, but at times they are available at bird shows or through members of bird clubs.

You can contact me via e-mail josietk @ pacbell.net

Redwood Empire Cage Bird Club
FinchWorld
Neophema Plaza
Up At Six - Excellent site for all kinds of birdnuts.

Last Updated June 23, 2002