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Hung up on Hanging Parrots

© Mary Wilson

Although not commonly seen in aviculture, hanging parrots are an intriguing member of the small hookbill family. Members of the genus Loriculus, hanging parrots sleep upside down like bats, earning them their name. They measure between four and six inches long and can be kept by bird lovers with limited space.

According to Matthew Virends' book, The Parrotlet Handbook, which also covers other small parrots, hanging parrots come in 10 species with many subspecies among them. These birds have slender beaks like Lories' that are either red or black. Their wings are sleek and seem long for their size, while their tail is short. They are great acrobats, taking full advantage of their beaks to grasp and hold while they swing and play. In fact, these birds' feet are rarely on the ground.

A minimum cage requirement is that of many small birds, at least 17x20x20, the size of many cockatiel cages. Obviously, because these birds love to climb and play the larger the cage, the happier the bird will be. At least two different sized perches should be provided, as well as plenty of toys.

When breeding, it's best to keep one pair to a flight, as birds can get territorial with each other. They carry nesting material under their wings and rump feathers like lovebirds do, and they build nests in which the hen lays up to four small white eggs. The eggs take 22 to 24 days to hatch.

The parents enjoy a diet of seed, fruit, insects, greens, and additional food, such as baby cereal or egg mix. Pet birds also enjoy this kind of a diet, as their active nature burns calories quickly.

As pets, hanging parrots may not be as talkative as other species, but they have been known to form lasting relationships with their owners. Handfed babies, as in most cases, make the best pets.

Because hanging parrots are not common in American aviculture, bird fanciers have been known to advise keeping these birds in a breeder situation. However, if one does have a breeding pair of hanging parrots, I see no harm in letting a few of the chicks go to good loving homes. After all, how can people learn to love this tiny, inquisitive species, if they do not have the pleasure of owning one as a pet? I've seen a few advertised on national services, such as Up at Six, www.upatsix.com, and I would suggest to someone looking for these parrots to perhaps place an ad at one of these services.

The copyright of the article Hung up on Hanging Parrots in Small Hookbills is owned by Mary Wilson. Permission to republish Hung up on Hanging Parrots in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.