Complete Guide to Caring for Turquoise Parrots

The Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella), also known as the Turquoisine, is a vivid and lightly built member of the grass parakeet family native to eastern Australia. Thriving primarily in open woodlands and savannahs dominated by eucalyptus trees, these birds are celebrated for their striking turquoise-blue facial feathers in males and their gentle, active nature.

Males display bright turquoise faces, grass-green upper parts, blue wings with a distinctive red shoulder band, and yellow-edged tail feathers. Females are subtler, lacking the red shoulder mark and sporting duller blue wing markings. Typically, these parrots measure around 20-22cm in length with a 3cm wingspan.

Getting Started: Understanding Turquoise Parrot Habitat and Behaviour

Wild Turquoise Parrots inhabit the Great Dividing Range foothills, spanning Queensland, New South Wales, and occasionally Victoria. Non-migratory yet sometimes locally nomadic, they inhabit forest edges and mixed woodland-grassland regions often using rocky gullies and cultivated fields for shelter and foraging.

In the wild, they live in small family groups or pairs outside breeding seasons, but can gather in larger flocks numbering 50-75, often including many juveniles. Known for their high activity levels, these birds prefer flight over climbing and are constantly on the move, making them fascinating aviary inhabitants.

Proper Housing: Cage and Aviary Essentials for Turquoise Parrots

Turquoisines adapt well to various environments from outdoor aviaries to indoor flight cages. When housed indoors, cages should be spacious, prioritising length and height to accommodate their active flying habits. While planted aviaries can enrich their environment, this is not strictly necessary for their well-being.

Adding natural branches from safe trees such as fir, pine, or willow offers enrichment and perching variety. Additionally, swings, ladders, puzzle toys, and foraging enrichment keep them mentally stimulated and help to prevent boredom, especially for caged birds.

Due to their ground-foraging behaviour, they are vulnerable to parasites, so regular preventative health care including worming treatments is wise. Outdoor birds should always have access to a frost-free night house to protect against cold weather, while being generally tolerant of moderate temperatures.

Feeding Turquoise Parrots: Balanced Diet and Nutritional Needs

Offering a specialised Neophema parrot seed mix supplemented with Italian millet, weed seeds, and fresh fruit is essential. These birds relish seeds such as canary, millet, oats, and treat seeds like buckwheat, safflower, and hemp. Small amounts of sunflower seeds can be given as treats.

Greens such as Swiss chard, spinach, endive, and lettuce should be included regularly, complemented by edible weeds like dandelion, chickweed, and sowthistle. Fruits including apple, orange, pear, banana, and pomegranate add valuable vitamins and variety.

During breeding, provide a rearing mix made from hard-boiled eggs, wholegrain bread, low-fat cheese, and carrots mashed together for extra protein. Some individuals accept live foods like mealworms, but this depends on their upbringing.

Step-by-Step Breeding Guide for Turquoise Parrots

Step 1: Preparing the Nesting Environment

Choose a nest box approximately 18 x 18cm square and 12-14cm high, with an entrance hole of 5.5-6.5cm diameter. Natural tree hollows are preferred if available, including vertical or near-vertical holes in living or dead gum trees or wooden posts.

Step 2: Understanding Breeding Season and Egg Laying

Breeding season runs from August to December. The female lays 4-5 eggs on bedding or sawdust; she incubates them for 18-21 days. Both parents feed the chicks after hatching.

Step 3: Rearing the Young and Fledging

Chicks emerge from the nest at about four weeks old. Parents continue feeding them until they are independent. Young birds are recommended to be kept with parents up to 18 months to develop full adult plumage, as they mature slowly.

Step 4: Safe Fledging Practices

When young chicks begin fledging, add soft coverings like hessian or greenery on aviary bars and mesh to prevent injuries and help them gauge boundaries during their clumsy early flights.

Common Challenges and Responsible Care Tips

Despite their generally quiet and gentle nature, Turquoise Parrots can show aggression towards others of the same species, so housing pairs rather than multiple birds together is advised to prevent conflicts. Their active nature requires space and enrichment to reduce stress.

Parasite control is critical due to their ground-foraging habits, including regular worming and health monitoring. Maintaining a frost-free shelter in winter protects them from cold stress while their quiet melodic calls make them suitable for apartments and built-up environments.

Conclusion: Why Choose a Turquoise Parrot as a Pet Bird?

Turquoise Parrots are lively, visually captivating, and gentle companions with minimal noise, ideal for both mixed aviaries and single-species setups. Their sociable but sometimes territorial behaviour means providing proper housing and care is essential. With proper nutrition, safe environment, and attentive breeding practices, they offer rewarding companionship and fascinating natural behaviours for bird enthusiasts.