Have you ever seen a purple or violet budgie? Well! They are rare and produced as a result of inbreeding. The term violet or purple encompasses several differences in the color tone of feathers and markings.
The wild Lavender has green and yellow as predominant colors, but breeders create new color variations for bird lovers. There are over 100 types of parrots. All are friendly & fun-loving, and Lavender parakeets are one of them.
They are truly stunning to look at. They love to play with people and get easily attached to them. If you are looking for a companion, you are fortunate because purple budgies are always proof talkative friends by their side.
This article discusses the Lavender parakeet’s personality, temperament, diet, habitat, breeding, etc. If you want to learn more about purple parrots, then keep reading.
History of Purple Parakeet:
Lavender parakeets are native to Australia. In the 1830s, they came to Europe, where they became trendy. Due to some reasons, at the end of the 19th century, Australia banned the export of wild animals, as did purple birds.
But in the 1920s, budgies were first brought to America. As in Europe, they are growing in popularity as pets, so the demand for different body colors has also increased. Breeders selected unique color genes like lavender, purple, or violet.
As a result, the Lavender parakeet came into existence, and scientists named it “Melopsittacus undulatus.”
Colors:
The striking color of the purple parakeet is hard to overlook. The purple parakeet acquires its color through mass breeding, using a white base as the dominant gene. The mask is white with six tiny black circular spots on the neck.
Two of these circles are partially covered with white cheeks. The white area on the crown is merged with black lines on the head. Besides the head, there is a black lining on the cheeks and wings.
One of the striking features is the eye color; they have black eyes with white iris. The violet feathers give mesmerizing effects when they fly. The tail color is also deep purple, while the feet and legs are blue-grey.
Markings:
One of the features that differentiate Lavender parakeets from other species is the presence of markings on the body.
They have prominent markings on their forehead and around the eye. The markings on the forehead disappear with age. However, the black iris turns grey with age.
Size and Shape
Lavender parakeets are shell, purple, budgies, and budgerigar. They have a sleek body with beautiful colors.
They are small in size, like other parakeets. The average length of an adult parakeet is 7 to 8 inches, while the average weight is 28 to 42 grams.
Habitat:
The primary habitat is open forests and woodland. But as they are produced due to selective mutations, they are primarily kept in captivity.
Temperament:
Like monk parakeets, the lavender parakeet has a friendly nature. When you treat them with kindness and respect, they show high affection.
They are lovable and loyal beings. They love exploring their surroundings and playing with other birds and their owner.
But when they get angry or agitated, they may bite you. If you try to get them, they also show anger. But with love and care, you can manage their aggression easily.
Feeding:
To live longer, purple parakeets not only rely on seeds because such a diet that contains only seeds may lead to a condition known as Psittacosis.
They need other food items that are rich sources of nutrients, like vegetables and pellets. Lavender parakeets also like to eat fresh fruits, leafy greens, grains, and root vegetables to stay healthy.
Breeding:
As you know, parakeets have two base colors: yellow and white. Yellow is the dominant gene, while white is recessive. So breeders can easily pair dominant genes with recessive ones.
In the Lavender parakeet, the violet gene comes with a white base. The modifying violet factor with a white base produces purple parakeets, also known as selective breeding.
Lifespan:
The average lifespan of a purple parakeet is 6-12 years, but with proper diet and care, you can increase their life expectancy up to 13 years.
Do you want to know how to take care of a parakeet? Read out our recent article on this.
Common Health issues:
Like other families, this purple parakeet species has the same health issues.
Despite that, they can suffer from goiter, which is merely due to iodine deficiency. They can have tumors as well as scaly mites and psittacosis.
Potential Challenges of Owning Lavender Parakeets
People love to have purple budgies at their homes. However, there are some potential risk factors that you must know before purchasing a purple parakeet.
- It is a rare species. Only a few breeders can successfully achieve the desired color.
- As they are rare, finding them online is a time-consuming process.
- They are expensive and have high demand.
- They are more prone to diseases.
FAQs
Why are Lavender parakeets Rare?
Purple is a color mutation that is achieved by selective breeding. It is a difficult mutation to come by.
What Are the Signs of Lavender Parakeets Mating?
Parakeets start perching, feeding, and preening together. The male parakeet does head-bobbing and feather-fluffing to get the attention of the female parakeet. If you provide bathing water, it will help them to get in the mood of mating.
What Type of Temperament do Lavender Parakeets have?
Lavender parakeets are friendly and have quite a temperament. They’re truly loveable and affectionate creatures
The Bottom Line:
Breeders are very selective about breeding budgerigars. The reason is that you are looking for a specific color.
Parakeets come in various colors, with neon green as the classic and purple, blue, yellow, piebald, and albino.
Purple parakeets are the perfect pet choice. Because of their small body, they are easy to look after and clean because of their small size. Besides this, they are fun-loving so you will never get bored.