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aviary  Jakovljević
phone. 381-11-2475-046
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

SUN PARAKEET
Aratinga Solstitialis

 
 

Common features of all species of sun parakeets (there are 18 species with numerous subspecies and few mutations) are strong, massive beak, featherless eye-ring and stocky body. The head is well adjusted to the body, forehead is fully expressed, and breasts are nicely round across belly and to the tail. The tail is gradually built and it ends in cuneiform manner with two spike- like feathers. It can imitate speech, and this is common characteristic of all Aratinga as well as all south-american parrots. Number of words they can imitate depends on the species itself and on time and effort invested in learning. Another common feature is that they are very loud, especially if strange people are present, but as time goes by they learn more and more words and this screaming noise is present only when they feel violated or unsatisfied. They can protest when kept locked in cage since they are very friendly and devoted.

Sun parakeet mail in front of the nest

Among all species of Aratinga this is actually the most beautiful one, considering colors and its expression. Unfortunately, it is also the rarest one due to difficult breeding of the young in captivity and only few breeders are successful in mating them.

Habitats of these birds are Venezuela , Brazil and Guyana . They are 30-35 cm in size and are considered to be middle- sized parrots. Sides of head and belly are orange-red; throat, crop and back are intensive yellow. Tertials are green and yellow at the ends. Secondaries are blue edged with green and primaries are green with dark blue edges. Top of the tail is green and turns to blue in its end. Under tail is yellow and black. Thigh feathers are gold. Feathers under wings are intensive yellow and turn to white at the top. Primary coverts are darker – color of cinnamon. Beak is black with dashes of red and they have white, featherless eye ring. Legs are brown and nails are black. One can tell the difference between female and male by more narrow eye-ring and more green coloration of feathers. Eyes are grey-brown.

They mate once a year. Female hatches 3-5 white eggs in lair and broods for 30 days. Eggs are 22 x 28 mm in size. After hatching from the egg, the young stay in the nest for eight weeks and after leaving the nest they stay with the parents for another 45 days. During this period, colors of feathers in young birds are rather undefined until they are two years old when they get their real appearance and become sexually mature.

Diet consists of seedish mix of sunflower, millet, oat, sorghum, hemp, non-fried shelled peanuts and bar-millet. Choice of fruits and vegetables is the same as in Jandaya diet, and vitamins and minerals are obligatory (for information on types of vitamins and minerals as well as dosage consult the breeder).

Personally, I am delighted with this bird, with its variety of colors and personality so if you are looking for a pet this is my favorite!

 
Pair of sun parakeets
 
 
 
 
Translated by Jovana and Ana Penezic
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