• Features

    The Lutino Plum-headed Parakeet

    Fabulous photos by Steve Duncan [PLUMHEADED PARAKEET (PSITTACULA CYANOCEPHALA) LUTINO MALE ] The Plum-headed Parakeet, Psittacula cyanocephala, is arguably the most beautiful of the smaller Asian parakeets. In comparison to other Psittacula, it is compact in size, but maintains its dignity because of its sleek physique, long elegant tail, and of course the customary psittacula demarcation above the neckline. Although the hen’s head remains a slate color, the cock’s handsomeness becomes obvious in maturity, becoming an exquisite purple-red color. Unlike other larger, boisterous, and audibly annoying Psittacula species, Plumheads in general are typically gentle, calm, and pleasantly quiet. When hand-fed, they can make wonderful pets and never seem to become…

  • Articles,  Features

    Avicultural Notes

    The popularity of the Australian Shell Parrakeet (so­-called love-bird of the trade) is growing by leaps and bounds. Hardly a day passes we do not receive letters from all over the country asking for information about breeding them, size of cages, what kind of food required when nesting, kind of nest, and a dozen other questions. Why doesn’t some of our members write down their own experience and let others profit thereby. A bird that is becoming more and more frequently seen even in the smaller pet shops is the Bengalese or Society­finch. Large numcers of these have been brought over from Japan lately and this may account for its…