THE JEWEL OF INDIA

THE INDIAN ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula Krameri manillensis) has been kept as a pet for centuries and remains a favorite companion bird today. As its name suggests, the Indian ring-necked parakeet originates from India, where it is still found wild in great quantities, even in urban areas.

A devoted owner will do best with this temperamental bird that requires a great deal of attention to remain tame. They can make sweet, obedient pets, but will not remain so if neglected. If played with every single day, these birds can make loving, loyal companions. When abandoned, even for a short time, your customer will find that their bird has become a biter. However, the Indian ring-necked will charm and delight the person who takes the time to appreciate its other qualities - a playful enthusiasm and a remarkable talking ability.

These are chatty birds, especially when they learn to talk. Their talking voice is clear and loud.

The Indian ring-necked is not recommended for children, as these birds tend to be sensitive to commotion, and their large beak can do a lot of damage to little fingers. Indian ring-necked parakeets are responsive birds that need a great deal of playtime and time out of the cage to remain happy-if not, expect the bird to develop neurotic disorders that may be very difficult to reverse.

The best owner for, an Indian ring-necked parakeet is one who can spend every waking hour with this bird - someone who could take their bird to work would be ideal. One bird is recommended over a pair if the owner wants a tame, hands-on pet. These birds do well in a large colony situation, and are good for the person who wants larger birds in their garden aviary setting, provided the climate is warm and the aviary is safe from predators and inclement weather.

The Indian ring-necked parakeet requires lots of playtime.

Pretty Bird!

The Indian ring-necked is 16 inches long and is available in a variety of mutations stemming from the normal green bird - blue, yellow, pied, albino, cinnamon and others. There is no difference in the pet quality among the many colors.

This bird is dimorphic, meaning there are visible differences between the sexes - the males of this species have a distinct ring around the neck at maturity, making him easily discernable from the female. It is impossible to tell the difference between the sexes until the birds are mature, so you might want to tack up a photo of mature birds of both sexes next to your babies so that your customer will know what to expect. Males of the species may make better talkers than females, but this is not always the case.

Proper Housing and Accessories

Because of the long tail, these birds will need a larger cage than another bird of the same relative size. Make sure that the bars are not spaced widely enough for the bird to stick its head out of the cage - this could result in its head becoming stuck and the bird panicking and injuring itself. A cage that is at least three feet in length is a nice size for the Indian ring-necked, which will appreciate the space. The cage must be made of a durable material, as the Indian ring-necked can be tough on its housing and toys.

Encourage your customer to purchase a cage that is the largest they can afford, and one on top of which they can place a playgym -these active birds thrive on time out of the cage. The playgym is a great training tool as well.

Make sure that many different types of toys are part of the Indian ring-necked sale. The Indian ring-necked parakeets love their toys, and will hang on them and toss them around the cage. Tell your customer to be sure to have lots of toys on hand to replace the ones their bird destroys - let them know that this type of destruction is a normal, healthy part of being a companion bird.

Perches of various sizes, dimensions and materials are recommended for the foot health of this bird, which will tire of sitting on one type of perch all day, every day. Different types of perches will go a long way toward eliminating foot disorders.

Stainless steel coop cups are a good choice for this bird because they are durable and easy to clean. Your customer should have a minimum of six coop cups-one for water, one for the base diet, and one for fresh foods-the other three cups can be used when the first set is being cleaned.

Include a mineral block and a cuttlebone in an Indian ring-necked sale, as these items provide much needed calcium to the bird's diet. Grit is not recommended for this bird.

 Proper Diet

Most Indian ring-necked parakeets do well on a diet that includes a variety of fresh foods, including fruits and vegetables, and healthy table foods. The base diet can consist of seed or pellets, or both, depending on what the bird is used to eating, what the breeder weaned it on, and the recommendations of an avian veterinarian. An all seed diet is deadly for this bird, as it is for most parrot-type birds. Variety in this bird's diet is the key to maintaining its health. Nutritional supplements should be recommended by an avian veterinarian.

INDIAN RING-NECK BASICS

• Feed a well-rounded, nutritious diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, seeds, pellets and safe table foods. The more variety the better.
• Playtime out of the cage is essential for your Indian ring-necked parakeet's health and wellbeing. Play with your bird as often as you can every single day. You will be unable to handle it if it is ignored even for a few days.
• Find an avian veterinarian near you and take your new bird there as soon as possible, preferably before you take it home.
• Buy a few bird books. Do some research about your new pet. Each of the books will have something to offer.
• Purchase the largest cage you can afford. Your bird should have room to flap its wings and get some exercise.
• Toys are a must for the active Indian ring-necked parakeet, especially soft wood chewable toys.
• Indian ring-necked parakeets appreciate puzzle toys, seed stick treats and bird kabobs that you can thread with fresh foods. These things stimulate this active bird and will help prevent boredom and will encourage exercise.
• Indian ring-necked parakeets like all birds, have very sensitive respiratory systems. Non-stick cookware, self cleaning ovens, scented candles and aerosol sprays are deadly to your bird.
• Make sure that you supervise your Indian ring-necked parakeet when it is out of the cage. These birds are highly curious and have a propensity to get into mischief.
• Provide your Indian ring-necked with several perches in a variety of sizes, diameters and materials.
• Stainless steel coop cups are preferable to plastic because they are more durable and easier to clean.
• If you have other birds, be sure to quarantine your new pet for at least a month. This will help to prevent the potential spread of disease.
• An Indian ring-necked is great at mimicking human speech. Provide your bird with a talking tape or CD that will teach words and phrases while you're away from home.
• For a sweet, tame pet, keep your Indian ring-necked as a lone pet. Keeping them in a pair will encourage them to bond to each other rather than to you.

Reprinted by Pretty Birds from Pet Product News by Nikki Moustaki

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