Feathered Family Inc.

Red-Bellied Parrot

(Poicephalus Rufiventris)

The beautiful and charming Red-Bellied parrot is becoming more and more popular in todays aviculture. Considered by many to be the best talker of the Poicephalus parrots, they speak with sweet but slightly raspy voices. Among the rare group of sexually dimorphic parrots, one can tell the males and females apart easily once they are mature. A female Red-Bellied parrot will have a much lighter orange on her abdomen and chest than a male, and the males also have a lovely wash of orange on the cheeks. One can easily tell if you are looking at an adult or juvinile Red-Bellied parrot by the eyes, the adult bird will have bright red-orange eyes, while the youngester will have brown. Reported to enjoy acrobatics, and human companionship, its no wonder that they are quickly catching on!

Red-Bellied parrots grow to around 9 inches long, and around 140 grams. Although because they are so new in aviculture no one knows for sure, it is suspected that they should live to at least 30 years in captivity, possibly longer. When caging a Red-Bellied parrot, try to remember, bigger is better. They will use all the space provided and often will appriciate a hiding place (usually provided in the form of a "Happy Hut"). Red-Bellied parrots reportedly go through a 'nippy' or 'bluffing' stage, when young, where they are known to test their limits and nip those who they love most. Once this phase is over they return to the sweet birds they are so cherished for being.

A special thank you to Xak, for sharing the above photos of Dionysus, a female Red-Bellied parrot. She's very young still, so Xak has lots of wonderful times to look foward to. Happy Hatchday to you Dion... 2/28/03!