A small parrot found in the forests of Southern Mexico and Panama. The lineolated, also known as Barred parakeet or Catherine parakeet, is known for the fine lines or barred markings.
They were named after these bars. The pale-horn-coloured beak
However, one of the best things about owning a lineolated parakeet is that they are one of the calmest and quietest types of parakeet parrot family.
They like to walk as much as flying and love playing in water. There are two subspecies. However, there are several color mutants available in aviculture.
If you want to learn more about lineolated parakeets, then in this article, we will discuss every detail.
Origin And History:
Bareed parakeets, or the Lineolated parakeets, are a large population species in Mexico, Central America & South America. It is also found in the mountains of Colombia, “Santa Marta.” Source: beautyofbirds.com
Furthermore, lineolated parakeets love living in clouds or dense rainforests. In other words, you can consider them as mounted areas.
Features
They are small birds, about 6.5 inches long, and weigh only 40-55 grams or 2 ounces.
Ideally, it has only two subspecies.
- Bolborhynchus lineola
- Bolborhynchus lineola tigrinus
Colors & Markings:
Wild linear parakeets have mostly green plumage and black and dark green stripes on their backs, wings, and sides.
However, the underside of the wings is blue, and the tail feathers are dark green. They have horns, pale-coloured beaks, and brown eyes. They have thin pink legs.
Males and females have almost the same external appearance. However, males have more stripes than females.
Lineola cockatoos bred in captivity can exhibit various color mutations, which means they change their plumage color when removed from the wild, such as blue, cobalt, turquoise, and white.
Habitat:
These birds live in high mountain and heavy forest rainy areas. They came down only for a few hours and then flew back to tall trees.
They love to live in heavy snow and even enjoy snow bathing.
Lineolated parakeets love to live in flocks. That’s why you will always find at least 20 birds in groups.
Temperament:
They are very calm and serene.
If they are cared for properly, then their behavior becomes more loving. They are social birds, so they enjoy spending time with their owner and love to play with humans.
They can learn to talk if you give proper attention to them.
Vocalization:
They are quieter and don’t make much noise like Monk parakeets.
They are well known to make whistles, talk, and mimic. Ultimately, these qualities make them ideal pet birds.
Diet And Nutrition:
This bird feeds on wild seeds, fruits, insects, and larvae.
If you have them as a pet, give them fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, and pellets every other day.
However, you must feed more vegetables than fruit because fruits can cause digestive problems. So, if you notice watery feces, reduce the frequency of fruiting.
Caring:
Bigger is better, but a small bird doesn’t need a big cage.
A 24-inch square cage or enclosure is the minimum for single parakeets if you give them enough time outside the cell daily.
These birds also thrive in aviary environments with other lines and related smaller species.
However, be aware that small flocks may be a bit noisy. Although not known as harmful, lineolated parakeets bite and gnaw like other parrot species.
Therefore, give your bird plenty of chewable toys and natural wooden twigs so that he knows when chewing is acceptable.
Behavior
Lineolated parakeets are calm and friendly species that get familiar with their owner.
But like other parrots, they have problematic childhoods with aggression and biting. Conversely, it is a minor problem as they are small. Get them out of their cages for a few hours daily to socialize with their families.
Breeding:
Lineolated birds are easy to breed.
So if you are a beginner breeder, Lineolated parrots are an ideal choice. They are easily bred in mixed aviaries and do not demand much space.
If you have a colony of up to 100 parakeets, take at least four boxes for two pairs for comfortable breeding.
You can choose a cage of 40X40X40 cm for easy nesting during the breeding season for easy cleaning and inspection. Place a thin layer of shavings at the bottom of the box to maintain temperature.
A female lays 4-5 eggs that can hatch in about 19 to 20 days. After 5 weeks, the young lineolated parakeet is ready to leave the nest.
Lifespan:
In the wild, the average lifespan of Linnie is about 12 years.
In captivity, if you take care of their proper diet and nutrition, they can live up to 15 years.
Common Health Problems:
Striped parrots and budgerigars have the same diseases as other parrot species, but their small size makes them difficult to treat.
For example, they are more prone to fatty tumors.
However, some diseases are primarily due to vitamin deficiencies and can be prevented by proper diet.
Potential Challenges of Owning Lineolated Parakeet
The fact is, for beginners, owning Lineolated is very easy. They are quiet, calm, friendly, and love spending time with their owner. However, you can face some challenges like.
- They are fragile birds and quickly get sick by slight variations in environmental conditions.
- They are small, hide under beds or furniture, and can be easy to step on.
- Like other giant parrots, they hold their poop overnight.
Adopt or Buy a Lineolated Pet Bird Now!
Lineolated parakeets are the most friendly parrots and the best choice for pets.
They don’t give you a hard time because they are quieter, easy learners, and loving. Their smaller size makes them easy to handle.
Above all, they are suitable for cold areas and love cold weather.
So, if you are looking for a small bird as well as talkative but still a calmer choice, then lineolated is your best bet.
FAQs
What is the cage size for Lineolated Parakeet breeding?
The average size of a pair requires a cage of 20 x 20 x 20 inches size with a 6 x 6 x 9 inches nest box. The box is made of wood.
What is the Placement of Nesting Boxes?
You can hang the box at the side of the cage. It is better to place the container at the bottom of the cage to prevent splayed legs.
Are Linnie Easy to Breed?
Lonnie’s are quiet birds and have a generous personality. They have a very sweet nature. They are small to medium-sized birds and, therefore, easy to breed.