Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot

Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

About 14 years

Size

12cm (28g)

Diet

Fruit (apple, pear, pomegranate, guava), berries, nectar, small seeds, insectivorous food and mealworms

Cage

A planted walk-in aviary at least 1.5 m long; in a warm climate it can live outdoors with a small attached shelter. Use a nest log 15 cm across and 40 cm long.

Temperament

Strongly gregarious, it is best kept with others. Offer bathing bowls daily and unsprayed flowering, willow and elder branches to strip.

Vocalization

Flight calls are shrill and squeaky; group calls are rapidly repeated or ringing, and while feeding the notes are occasionally shrill and two-syllabled.

Notes

Listed on CITES Appendix II, so import requires an export permit. Its fruit- and nectar-based diet cannot be met by a seed-centred regime, and as a tropical bird it is sensitive to cold.

About Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot

Known for sleeping upside down, the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot is a tiny 12cm, 28g parrot with vivid green plumage and a blue crown. It feeds on fruit and nectar and is best suited to experienced keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot

1. 1Sleeps Upside Down

   At night, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots hang upside down from branches or perches, much like a bat. This can be surprising to see for the first time, but it is completely normal behavior for the species. Provide several sturdy, grippable perches in the cage to support this habit.

2. 2A Fruit and Nectar Diet

   In the wild, this species feeds mainly on fruit and flower nectar, so a standard seed diet alone is often insufficient in captivity. Keepers need to combine specialized formulas, fresh fruit, and nectar-based supplements in a balanced way.

3. 3Delicate Due to Its Tiny Size

   Weighing only about 28 g, this bird is sensitive to temperature changes and can decline quickly if unwell. Careful room temperature management and daily checks on appetite and weight are essential.

4. 4Active and Quick-Moving

   Despite its small size, this parrot is highly active and moves quickly around its enclosure. Providing adequate space to move and toys to chew and peck at gives it healthy stimulation.

5. 5A Surprisingly Loud Voice

   Although tiny, this species can produce a surprisingly carrying call. If you live in an apartment or shared building, it's worth checking your tolerance for noise and considering your neighbors beforehand.

6. 6Recommended for Experienced Keepers

   Because of its specialized diet and delicate health needs, this species is considered suitable for experienced keepers. It is best suited to those with prior experience keeping small parrots, or who are prepared to research thoroughly beforehand.

7. 7A Lifespan of About 14 Years

   Despite its small size, this bird has a relatively long lifespan of about 14 years, requiring a long-term commitment to its care. Before bringing one home, make sure you can provide consistent care throughout its life.

Frequently asked questions about Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot

Q.Can beginners keep a Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot?

A.This species is generally considered suitable for experienced keepers. Its specialized fruit-and-nectar diet and the delicate health management required due to its tiny size make it better suited to those who already have experience keeping small birds.

Q.Why does it sleep hanging upside down?

A.Hanging upside down from a branch to sleep, much like a bat, is a natural habit shared by hanging parrots as a group, including this species. It is not abnormal behavior, but simply this bird's natural way of resting.

Q.What should its everyday diet consist of?

A.In the wild, it feeds mainly on fruit and flower nectar. In captivity, its diet should combine specialized formulas, fresh fruit, and nectar-based supplements in balance, as a standard seed-only diet does not meet its nutritional needs.

Q.How long do Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots live?

A.Its lifespan is about 14 years. Despite its small size, it requires a long-term commitment, so it's important to prepare an environment where you can provide consistent care throughout its life.

Q.Are there legal requirements to keep a Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot?

A.Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.

Useful tools for Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot care

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